This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the names of Remington Steele, Laura Holt or anything that would cause MTM productions or anybody else to sue me. This story is the property of Lisa Watson ã 2000. Some excerps from Rico's letters are taken from Enrique Eglesias' "Alabao", The Family's "Desire" and Queen Latifah's "How do I love Thee."
Warning! Adult Content present.
The Captain's voice filled the silent void of the plane. He announced their desent in to Grand Cayman. Laura was oblivious to the activity and sounds around her. Her thoughts were elsewhere, pondering Remington's sudden evasiveness. She couldn't come up with a logical explination for his actions and that annoyed her above all. The plane jolted suddenly bringing Laura out of her reverie causing her to grab the arm rests of her seat. She looked around and realized that the plane had just touched down and they were coasting to a stop. Laura stood up when it was safe to do so and retrieved her bag from the overhead compartment. For once in her life she had packed light, one reason was that she didn't anticipate it taking too long to find Ricardo Forrester, the other was she'd decided to treat herself to some shopping while she was in the Cayman Islands.
Once out of Owen Roberts International Airport Laura looked over the information Abigail provided and walked toward the taxi stand. She was about to ask a uniformed gentleman about procurring a taxi when a sign being held up caught her eye. Laura immediately walked over to the man and smiled.
"Are you Abigail Petry?" The man asked lowering his sign.
Laura hesitated for a second before she spoke.
"Yes, I am," Laura said smiling.
"My name is Jordan, welcome to Grand Cayman island Ms. Petry. If you will follow me, there is a limo waiting over there," Jordan said as he took her luggage and walked ahead of her.
Laura slid in to the limo and sank back against the seat. The air conditioning made it a pleasant ice box and she sighed happily as she looked out to take in her surroundings. Laura didn't have the inside track on what the great Remington Steele was up to, but she told herself she would solve the case herself if need be and enjoy a change of scenery to boot.
"We are headed to the south sound end of the island Ms. Petry. Your villa is located just a few minutes drive from the George Town harbour. If you like beautiful scenery and watersports you'll love this villa." Jordan said with confidence.
"I'm sure it will be perfect," Laura replied.
The limo pulled up outside a villa that was nestled snuggly in the middle of a mini-forest. Jordan helped Laura out then went to retrieve her luggage. He handed Laura the keys and told her the villa was completely stocked with everything she would need during her stay. He also informed her that there was a jeep on the side of the house in case she wanted to explore the island herself.
"If there is anythingelse you require, please don't hesitate to call my office. The number is on the desk near the telephone," Jordan said walking Laura to the veranda.
"Thank you kindly," Laura said as she retrieved her luggage and handed Jordan a tip.
"Thank you Ms. Petry but that's not necessary," Jordan smiled politely, shook her hand and retreated.
Laura let herself in to the villa, letting out an audible gasp as she looked around her. The villa was small but elegantly decorated. There was a small tiled foyer that opened in to a living room and led to a staircase. Laura put her luggage down and went in the living room. The room was bright and welcoming; the walls and tiled floor were white and the furniture was wicker with a floral print of deep blue, yellow, green and red. There was a loveseat, a chair with an ottoman, a coffee table and small tables on either side of the loveseat. There were two large windows with drapes that matched the furniture. The living room led in to an eat-in kitchen that was white on white with small splashes of color throughout. There wasn't a dining room but there was a quaint room that had floor to ceiling windows, a wicker chaise lounge and a small book table. Laura thought it made an inviting sun room. The kitchen had a circular staircase that led upstairs. Laura climbed the steps and found herself in a large bedroom. The king-size bed in front of her dominated the room. It was a four post pineapple wood bed that was ensconced in sheer white fabric. Laura wondered if that meant she had to worry about being attacked by mesquitoes while she slept, or if it was purely for decorative purposes. The bathroom had a circular tiled tub that was positioned in front of a large window. There was a separate shower and a small room that housed the commode. Laura looked longingly at the tiled tub and dreamed she was neck deep in bubbles. She walked back in to the bedroom and noticed that there was also a balcony. She walked out onto the small deck and looked at the view - it took her breath away. Laura had been to plenty of exotic places around the world and being raised in California had guaranteed her an avenue to extreme natural beauty. But Laura had never seen water like this before; it was an indescribable shade of blue. As far as Laura could see her villa was secluded and free of tourists. Laura closed her eyes in anticipation of the warm salt water. For a time she had her own section of paradise and she was going to put it to good use! She opened her eyes again and glanced at the bed. There was a letter laying on the pillows addressed to Abby. Laura picked it up, eyeing the strong black handwrtitting on the front. Laura decided the sooner she found Rico Forrester and closed this case the better. Laura was singing a sultry tune as she headed back downstairs to retrieve her luggage.
After she put her clothes and toiletries away Laura sat down on the bed and opened the letter from Rico.
When I'm with you a chain reaction, like a rush of satisfaction suddenly coming over me. It overwhelms me but I don't struggle, I let your love engulf me like the water that falls at Lover's Cove. There we rise to the moment and I feel your love all around me. Now it's time to give it all.
Laura read the letter through again and returned it to its envelope. "Well, no time like the present," Laura said aloud. She grabbed her purse and headed downstairs.
Laura found the jeep and slid behind the wheel. On the passenger seat were various maps of the island and points of interest. Laura scanned the list of famous tourist spots. She smiled when she saw "Lover's Cove" listed among them. She located it on the map, started the jeep and headed toward Lover's Cove. Laura was driving a few minutes when she spotted a car heading right towards her. The angry driver was honking his horn loudly as Laura steered her jeep in to the other lane.
"Left...left side of the road Laura." She reminded herself.
Laura turned off the main road and following a dirt path quickly came to Lover's Cove. She got out, grabbed her guide and walked toward the entrance. Her guide told her it was called Lover's Cove because the natural waterfall was so beautiful many people were married under it or had affaires d'amour there. The waterfall was also popular because tourists and natives alike loved to climb it to walk behind the falls. Laura found an old stone staircase that looked ready to collapse at any minute. She gingerly climbed down the old stairs looking around as she did. The stairs were encased in lush greenery. Laura felt she'd stepped in a secluded forest. There were trees that looked like they'd been there thousands of years, exotic flowers in every color imaginable. It was majestic and vibrated with romance. Laura finally saw the waterfall, it was on an incline above her. She saw there was another staircase that allowed you to view the falls from below and a steep hill that allowed you a vantage point from above. Laura decided to go up first. She carefully climbed the hill until she was parallel to the falls. Laura peered at the falls, she saw the walkway behind the falls. Her instincts told her that her next clue was somewhere behind the falls. She looked around to see if there was an easy way to get to it from where she was. There wasn't. It seemed the only way to get to the walkway was to climb the waterfall from the bottom. Laura looked down at her sandals and grimaced. If she'd known this she'd have brought her sneakers with her. Laura muttered. She on her way down when she spotted a ledge. Laura peered over it and saw a few large rocks and what appeared to be a shallow point in the water. Without hesitation Laura dropped her shoes and map, secured her pocket book around her torso and lowered herself over the edge and onto the rock. Laura carefully climbed the rocks leading up the waterall, staying to the outside of the falls instead of going straight up the middle. It took her some time but she reached the top without incident. Laura saw a wooden staircase and climbed out of the water. Laura followed the path and was finally behind the waterfall. Laura saw a wooden bench and sat down. She was in awe at how beautiful her view was from her vantage point. She knew Abby's next clue was around here somewhere and the question was where. It was a small area and the only furniture was the wooden bench; she looked under the seat, on either side but didn't find anything. She began feeling along the walls; they were dirt walls but she knew they were man made. She pushed and prodded but nothing opened. Frustrated Laura sat down again on the bench. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate, it was difficult. The water rushed loudly in front of her and she kept hearing a faint clinking sound. Laura looked around and tried to zero in on where the sound was coming from. After a few seconds Laura looked up. She saw a glass tube suspended from the crude ceiling by a small chain. Laura grabbed the bench and used it as a ladder. She pulled the the glass casing down replaced the bench and sat to read the next note.
I dream of a physical evening, I long for a night within you. Your body it covers my tower, ecstasy is ours. Picture a vision of beauty, as we dance by the light of the moon. Your passion so often consumes me, like the sensuous beat of a well written tune. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
"Well I can say one thing for him, he sure can put you in the mood," Laura smiled, put the tube in her purse and headed back down the waterfall.
Laura ran her slick, soapy hands down her body, sighing as the cool water hit her. She was deep in thought, appealing thoughts. She thought she'd heard a noise but she couldn't be sure. She tilted her head to the side and listened intently. Nothing. She closed her eyes again and let herself wander back to the erotic thoughts suffusing her mind. She recalled the letters from Rico. His desire for his lover evident in every connotation. She imagined those letters were from someone closer to her. Someone she wanted with such an intensity it almost unravelled her.
"Started without me eh? No matter, I'm sure I can catch up." Came a soft voice.
Laura looked up and smiled seductively. "Of that I have no doubt, Mr. Steele."
He grinned back at her as he eased himself in to the shower. He stood there unmoving for what seemed like an eternity; just staring at her. She let him drink her in with his eyes, in truth she was doing the same thing and had no intention of lowering her eyes. They let their respective gazes slide over each other in appreciation. Laura felt her skin getting prickly eventhough she was right under the spray of water. Suddenly he closed the distance between them. Laura drew an intake of breath and couldn't remember how to let it out. He was right in front of her but still hadn't made a move to touch her. She felt herself swaying slightly toward him, as if magnatized. His hand reached out to steady her. His hand began moving up and down her arm. The contact forced the breath she'd be holding quickly out of her mouth. She looked in to his intense gaze and time stopped. She no longer felt the water blasting over her head and engulfing her body in liquid, all she felt was his touch on her skin. Each place he touched tingled in reaction. She looked down, her gaze following his hand's every move. She saw him approach her breast and she thought she'd transpire on the spot with longing. She saw him touch her before she actually felt the contact. When she did feel skin on skin she instinctively closed her eyes and sighed. He saw her teeth capture her bottom lip as he moved his hands over her sensitve nipples and when he leaned down and replaced his hands with his mouth, he had to support her weight for her legs buckled beneath her. Laura's head reered back and she almost drowned herself in the water. Sputtering she laughed as he turned her around and put himself into the spray.
"No love, I want you drowning in desire not water," He said dipping his head to finally claim her mouth with his lips.
Laura responded with all the years of pent up passion she felt. She thought they'd topple over onto the floor as he picked her up and firmly set her against the tiled wall. She locked her legs around his waist and ran her fingers through his wet hair. She cried out in anticipation as she felt him warm and firm against her leg.
"Hurry," She begged him as she tightened the grip around his neck.
"Not feeling patient Laura?" He teased.
"Patience be damned! I need you inside me. Now!" She ground out in her frustration.
"God Lord I've waited forever to hear you say that." He whispered in her ear.
She thought she'd expire right there from the pleasure those whispered words gave her - that and the feeling of him positioned right between her legs...waiting.
The telephone ringing snapped Laura to attention. "Damn!" Laura said with feeling as she hopped out of the shower, grabbed her towel and ran for the phone.
"Hello?" Laura said louder than was necessary.
"Is that you Ms. Holt? Abigail Petry here. I was just wondering how things were going? Did you find him yet?" Abigail asked.
"Everything's fine Mrs. Petry. I haven't seen Mr. Forrester yet but I've already gotten two of his clues. There more poetry to you than anythingelse. Nothing that I can't handle I assure you. This should be brought to a close in no time at all." Laura assured her.
"Oh, that's wonderful Laura. I was so worried things might not go as you planned." Abigail said.
"Not to worry, it's a piece of cake, you have my word." Laura replied as she hung up.
The phone receiver hadn't been in its cradle two seconds before there was a knock on the door.
"Great, now what. I was having a perfectly good, erotic, hot fantasy and now it's ruined." Laura said with annoyance as she headed downstairs to answer the door.
She flung the door open and gasped.
"Did I interrupt something? By the looks of your attire and that growing red tint on your cheeks, I'd say I have." Remington said with mirth.
"Uh, no. Not at all, I was just uh in the shower. Come in Mr. Steele." Laura said quickly backing up to let him pass.
Laura was annoyed by his dissapearing act but right now she was embarrassed at having the object of her fantasy just moments before, here in the flesh.
Remington eyed her but refrained from comment as he entered her villa.
"Quaint," He said briefly looking around. "You're sure I haven't come at a bad time?" He asked again.
"Don't look so smug, you know perfectly well there isn't anyone here. I was taking a shower." She said curtly.
Having regained her composure, she was now more annoyed than embarrassed. She told him to make himself at home while she went to get dressed.
"So, what brings you here Mr. Steele?" Laura asked cooly as she handed him a glass of chilled bottled water.
"The case Ms. Holt, I thought that was the reason you were here. Was I mistaken?" He replied in a voice as brisk as his water.
Laura eyed him and felt her temper rise, matching the ire in his voice.
"Well Mr. Steele, since you've deigned to make an appearance on this case, suppose you enlighten me to why you haven't been available for consultation lately?" Laura asked pointedly.
"Actually Laura I've had a lot on my mind. It's required me to re-evaluate a few things." He began.
Laura didn't speak, she just gave him a look that told him to elaborate.
Look, why don't you brief me on the case and then we'll talk about personal matters." He promised.
"Fine." Laura said tightly as she went to retrieve the notes from Rico.
"Well, he sure knows his way around a greeting card store eh?" Remington chuckled.
"Actually I think his notes quite...moving," Laura said softly.
Remington quirked his eyebrow. "Really? And what is it about Rico's letters that has you so...carnal?"
"Their depth. It's apparent his love for her, how she makes him feel is quite substantial, like nothing he's ever encountered before. He doesn't seem to fear it eventhough it's all consuming," Laura said dreamily.
"Oh really Laura, what utter nonsense," Remington said scornfully. "It's just a bunch of drivel concocted by a lust filled man. Hardly worth the time you're expending day dreaming about it."
"I'm not day dreaming about it! I just commented how he felt about her. What's so wrong in admitting how deeply you feel about someone? About both people being so drawn to each other that they can't escape what binds them together?" Laura challenged.
At that Remington jumped to his feet and glared in her face.
"Have you gone daft? You have the temerity to ask ME that? I've been with you more years than I've been anywhere; I've told you I want you, I care for you, I'm not going to walk out of your life and where has that gotten me Laura eh? I'll tell you where it's gotten me, a free lifetime subscription to Abstinence Weekly! Yet here's some love sick blackmailer, writing dime store poetry and you're so aroused you could slither off a bloody chair!
Shall I tell you what's been on my mind lately Laura? It's how I'm mentally exhausted at trying to prove to you how much I care for you. I don't know what other hoop I can jump through to show you I want to be with you. From the way this relationship has been going, I'd say that you have allowed it to go as far as you want it to. You have no intention of us ever going farther than we are now. Well I'm sorry Laura, but it's not enough for me. This isn't 5th grade, we can't just hug and kiss for the rest of our lives. I want more, I need more, and the sad thing is I thought you did too," Remington said tightly before turning on his heel and slamming out the front door.
Laura was speechless, utterly speechless. She wasn't prepared for his verbal assault and it shook her down to her shoes. She'd made a ridculous assumption, again! Part of her thought for sure Remington was Rico Forrester and that this whole "case" was a ruse to get her alone. When Remington showed up on her doorstep she figured her guess was right on target; the letters had excited her. She'd been thinking about Remington when she read them not Rico, but he hadn't given her a chance to explain. They'd said many heated things to each other over the years but they'd always kissed and made up. As Laura sat down on a chair she knew she'd always had the upper hand in their arguments, was always the one setting the ground rules. This time, she wasn't in the driver's seat and Laura admitted to herself that for once she was terrified of the outcome.