A/N: I don't really know what to say regarding this update.

Is it the next chapter as I envisaged it? No.

Is it any good? I'm not sure.

Have I written a chapter of this story for the first time in over a year? Yes.

Last year was pretty crappy for me, both personally and in terms of writing, I'm rusty and hopefully you may enjoy this and/or review.

Thank you. X

Naomi

I half woke up, hmmm, this bed was so comfortable, I wasn't ready to get up yet. Instinctively I reached over to cuddle Em and was surprised to find a cold sheet beneath my outstretched arm. I cautiously opened one eye and focused on the unfamiliar room as I realised where I was. I flopped onto my back with a sigh, the sheet wasn't the only cold thing around here at the moment. Let's just say Emily's attitude towards me when she realised I wasn't joking about us not having sex on holiday was positively Arctic.

We were at the luggage carousel and I was mid conversation with Cook when I glanced up. Emily said something to Katie and the pair of them glared suspiciously at us before making their way over. In spite of our protestations we'd get the luggage they insisted on standing very (and I mean a sheet of paper would have found it hard to get through) close to us both while we waited. I yelped as I felt Emily's hand ghost down my back and across my buttocks and judging by the high pitched sound that came from Cook, Katie wasn't playing fair either. I slapped her hand away and muttered something about needing to concentrate on retrieving the cases. Emily tried again but sulked off when I glowered at her and told her to cut it out.

Come on, what else was I supposed to do? Emily's Dad had been pretty clear what would happen if there was any funny business, I might as well get my bag and check straight back in for the return flight. But that didn't mean it was easy, especially when Emily was standing with the rest of her family, who'd obviously got their luggage first, with a hurt look on her face. I could hardly say 'actually, I'd love to have sex with you in the sun but your Dad might break every bone in my body' now could I? Emily's cases came up before mine and she muttered something about seeing me outside before she left me on my own. I stood like Billy no mates as my small bag was the last to arrive, made my way through customs and outside to the hire car pick up. I was greeted by not one but two irate twins as both Emily and Katie stood there tapping their feet impatiently.

The journey to the villa wasn't much better. I discovered where the twins got their interesting driving ability from as Mr Fitch sped off and wildly took bends throwing us all over the place as Danny cried out 'weeeee' while I became increasingly travel sick. I quickly realised as we started to climb a small, chicane filled road there was a reason the views from the villa were described as breathtaking and uninterrupted over the bay, it was on the bloody top of a mountain. I can't be positive but I'm sure I saw Emily smile slyly to herself a few times as I went a deeper shade of puce every time we rounded a bend and I was greeted by the sheer drop the other side. At one point we came face to face with a truck speeding down the hill the other way and I'm embarrassed to say I screamed; everyone, including Emily, laughed heartily at the big baby. I got another laugh and a solid (and by that I mean painful) slap on the back from Mr Fitch when I practically kissed the ground when we finally arrived. His scouse voice telling me I was 'really, really funny' is still in my head this morning. I didn't feel funny, I felt like a right prick but it was my two worst nightmares together, heights and manic driving.

We'd unloaded the people carrier and entered the villa, even though it was dusk by now you could see how stunning the place was. The living area was a vast open plan space with comfy sofas set round a wood burning stove (not that we'd need it, even though it was early evening it was still balmy enough to be comfortable in a t-shirt). There was a huge flat screen tv, a stereo system with docking stations, a DVD player and the back of the room was floor to ceiling with books. There were French doors along the length of the front wall that opened onto the garden and the other side of the space opened up into a massive kitchen/ dining space.

As usual Danny had taken charge when it came to allocating rooms. The master bedroom was obviously Mr and Mrs Fitch's and there were a further three on that level, one of which was a single so it was Danny's. The remaining two were downstairs. There had been some debate before we left about the best sleeping arrangements and whether Cook and I as guests should have the nicest rooms. We weren't bothered either way but I was expecting some sort of conjecture, nothing of the sort. To my surprise Emily marched straight into the largest room, Katie into the other and Cook and I were informed we were in the 'basement'. Clearly the decision had been made a lot easier given the twins were pissed off with us both.

I propped myself up on my elbows and looked around the room, I was being pretty unfair describing this room as inferior. Ok so it didn't look over the garden but it was still bright and airy, all of the rooms were en-suite, something Emily and Katie were used to but not me or Cook, and we had patio doors that opened onto a lovely little terrace surrounded by fruit trees. There were steps up to the main garden one way and another set to a gate that led into the woods behind the villa the other. Altogether, not too shabby at all.

"Ungrateful cow." I muttered as I got out of bed and opened the doors, it already felt roasting hot and I could hear voices drifting down from the garden above.

I quickly used the bathroom and got dressed, pulling on some shorts and a vest top over my bikini, before I slipped my feet into my flip flops. I tousled my hair (hey, Emily loved it like that and right now I needed everything I could muster to get her back on side) and made my way up the steps.

"Morning love, did you sleep ok?" Mr Fitch boomed with a grin.

I nodded, "yes thanks, it was a struggle to leave the bed."

"Evidently, given its nearly 10.30 and most of us have been up for ages." Emily replied sarcastically from the lounger where she was leafing through a magazine.

Great, so a good nights sleep hadn't improved her mood then, today was going to be fun.

"Emily don't be so rude." Mrs Fitch chastised, "we're on holiday, everyone can relax and do as they please."

"Yeah right." Emily snorted in response.

"Come on Emsie," Mr Fitch said while he began to tickle her, "cheer up misery guts."

She squealed and slapped him away, "get off Dad, I'm not five you know." But thankfully she was laughing.

"Girls, some help with carrying the breakfast out please." Mrs Fitch called from the kitchen.

I made a move towards the French doors but was stopped, "you're a guest, sit down."

"But I want to, it's incredibly generous of your parents, the least I can do is help out." I protested.

I might have imagined it but I'm pretty sure Emily's eyes softened a little, maybe I was making progress at last.

"Honestly, we've got it covered, sit down and relax."

I did as I was told just as Danny came tearing round the corner. He plonked himself next to me and tried to catch his breath.

"Morning Naomi, this place is so cool, do you want to play table tennis later? Or pool? Or a board game? Or we could go for a swim." The words tumbled from his mouth.

I laughed and ruffled his hair, "morning Dan, we've got plenty of time you know, we don't have to do everything on the first day."

He looked thoughtful, "I suppose not, but I thought it was best to try everything out once and then we can decide what we want to play again."

"I guess that is a good plan, no point in wasting time doing things if they're rubbish." I agreed.

"We've got to fit in the beach, the aquarium, the water park..."

I swallowed nervously, "I might give that one a miss, not a lot of point if I can't go on the slides."

His face fell, "but you have to come, I want you to."

Emily placed the last of the plates down on the table and sat down the other side of Danny, "Danny, it's Naomi's holiday too, if she doesn't want to do something she doesn't have to."

I smiled gratefully but her face was impassive again. Cook and Katie joined us, both giggling about something, much to my annoyance, how come he got off so lightly.

"Right everyone tuck in." Mrs Fitch instructed and it was like a plague of locusts had descended.

I managed to grab some bread, a few rashers of bacon and an egg, I was more hungry than I thought. Silence descended as we all munched our way through breakfast.

"This is lovely Mrs Fitch." I said between mouthfuls as Katie and Emily coughed 'suck up' under their breath.

"Please Naomi, I've told you, call me Jenna."

I wasn't sure she'd ever actually said that but hey, we were on holiday together and Mrs Fitch did sound like some sort of stern school mistress.

"So kids what's the plans for today?" Rob asked.

Danny leapt in, "we're going swimming and playing games and table tennis and..."

"Whoa there lad, one thing at a time. I thought you might want to come for a rekkie with me in the car, find the local supermarket and shops?" Rob replied.

Danny bounced up and down excitedly, "yeah, rekkie, rekkie, rekkie..."

Emily fixed him with a stare, "someone had better calm down otherwise he won't be going anywhere."

"Aw come on love, Dan's just excited, you could do with taking a leaf out of his book, your face looks like you've been sucking a lemon." Rob teased.

I managed to disguise my snort of laughter as a cough, something that earned me another icy look from my girlfriend.

"Anyone else fancy a drive out?" Rob asked cheerily.

"No!" I exclaimed far too quickly, "I mean, no thanks, I thought I might have a wander, you know take a walk around the villa."

I hoped I'd rescued the situation and didn't appear rude, both Rob and Jenna stared strangely at me but didn't say anything so I breathed a sigh of relief I'd got away with it.

"Naomi probably doesn't want to go out in the car again, she thinks you're a really scary driver, just like Mummy and Auntie Katie." Danny said earnestly.

"Dan," I hissed out of the side of my mouth.

"Is that right?" Rob questioned.

"Yeah, Naomi, do elaborate." Emily joined in with an amused tone.

"Erm, I wouldn't say scary exactly..." I began falteringly, "um, I'm not great with heights, sheer drops, you know? The roads are pretty narrow..."

Jenna began to laugh, "Stop teasing Naomi, it's ok, Rob has always held the notion he's Lewis Hamilton, Katie and Emily have picked up most of his bad habits."

"Sorry," I muttered, "I really wasn't trying to be rude."

Rob laughed, "love, it's fine, I know my driving is an acquired taste. So just you and me Danny lad?"

"We might come too." Katie replied with an enquiring look at Cook.

He swallowed and nodded, "yeah, babe, absolutely, we'll do a rekkie, explore a bit..."

We finished the meal chatting, every now and then Emily would glance at me but as soon as I looked back she'd turn away. In spite of her insistence I helped clear the dishes and load the dishwasher. Rob, Danny, Katie and Cook got into the car and waved as they set off. I smiled at Mrs, sorry Jenna.

"It looks as if we're done here, I might go on that walk?"

She smiled back, "thank you, enjoy your exploration."

I walked out to the terrace, Emily had resumed her magazine flicking on the sun bed.

"I'm going out now, look around you know? Fancy joining me?"

She didn't look up, "no, you're ok, I'm happy here."

I sighed, "alright, see you later."

I set off back down the stairs and made my way to the gate, I opened it and made my way into the trees behind the villa. There was a slightly damp scent where the leaves had started to mulch in the intense summer heat, but also something fresh and fragrant as the new leaves blossomed. I walked through the initial wooded area and found myself in a clearing. There were uninterrupted views over San Antonio bay in the distance, the sea sparkled in the morning light and the sky spread across the horizon like a deep blue blanket.

I heard footsteps behind me and suddenly a hand slipped into mine. I turned sideways and smiled.

"I thought I was in the dog house?"

A shrug, "couldn't have you wandering about on your own, there might be big cats or bears."

I must have looked panicked, "there aren't bears?"

Emily laughed, "no, idiot, that was a joke, of course there aren't."

I sighed and led us to the trunk of a large canopied tree, I sat with my back against it and Emily nestled between my thighs, "it's beautiful isn't it?"

She nodded, "yeah, it is."

We sat in silence, I wrapped my arms around her as she snuggled in closer. "I'm sorry."

She shrugged, "why?"

"It's not like I don't want sex, I do, I mean I really do, but I don't feel that comfortable."

"I'm sorry too." Em started, "I haven't been very fair, or nice. They're my parents and I can be cheeky, they expect it...

"But you're gagging for it?" I replied.

She nudged me, "Oy you, I can be cheeky..."

I smiled and hugged her more tightly as I kissed her neck, "you're very cute and I don't mind you're a bit irritated."

A snort, "I should bloody hope so, I've not been that bad."

"Really? Could've fooled me." I retorted.

We sat in silence and stared across the bay. I'd been thinking about what she'd said ever since I'd climbed into bed last night.

"Em..." I started falteringly, "I want to tell you something."

I felt her tense, "OK."

I sighed, "I'm not embarrassed by sex, especially not with you. I'm not a prude."

Her expression softened, "I know you're not, it was a joke, I know you're not embarrassed, or a prude."

"When I'm with you, I feel." I stopped, "I feel free, liberated... I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone..."

"I know."

I shook my head, "I'm not sure you do. I slept with blokes, one off encounters, nothing important. But you can't ever totally let yourself go, especially not in public."

"And with me you can?" She questioned.

I shrugged, "yeah, I lose myself, completely, I don't want to be restricted because other people are within hearing distance, I don't want to stop myself when we're together."

Emily turned and smiled, "have you got any idea how much I love you?"

I blushed, "I think so, pretty much the same as I love you."

She exhaled, "fine, I still don't really understand why, and I'm not totally happy Naomi, but I accept your decision to stay away from me."

I grinned, "it's going to be tough."

Emily nestled back between my legs, "you have seen me in a bikini, right?"

I swallowed thickly, "oh yeah, like I said, tough, very, very tough..."