Chapter 7

We returned from the beach soon after, laughing and teasing Vuyo and Bheki about how filthy it had all been. When I turned to close the gate linking the villa to the sand, I caught sight of two dark, wet patches ground deep into the shore. I knew I was drenched, but seeing those marks side by side made it hit home just how much we'd soaked the earth beneath us. We had been utterly desperate.

Later, as the sun dipped lower and the air turned soft, Mandla and I wandered off to explore more of the retreat. Our ticket for the third experience wasn't available until tomorrow, but the heat in us was still raging. We needed something to take it out on.

That was how we found it: a wooden building at the edge of the gardens. Wide stone steps led up to a curved, gap-wood roof. The windows were unlatched and simple, open at the corners to let the breeze move through freely. From the threshold, I caught the sweet mixture of lavender.

Inside, it was plain except for the bubbling of a small stone fountain. Alcoves held threaded poles draped in soft shawls, where oiled bodies gleamed. Further in, a dark glass door led to a steaming room. The stillness of the space felt almost meditative.

A woman with dark hair and deep warm brown skin stepped toward us, her palms pressed together in greeting. "Welcome," she said warmly. "I'm Buhle. This space is for your relaxation, a complimentary part of the retreat."

Beside her stood a taller man with muscular arms and striking eyes. "Kobie," he said with a nod.

Mandla chuckled as he looked at her. "You sure you can handle me? You're not exactly built like him," he said, nodding toward Kobie.