Chapter 17 #2
“Thank God.” Taking my hand, he gives me a smile that singes my panties. “Because I studied your intake forms carefully. There’s one fantasy left to fulfill.”
We don’t immediately bang like bunnies in the back of the plane. Shocking, I know.
But we do make love for half of the night in Ash’s grand palace on his own private island. It’s gentle and sweet and everything I dreamed it could be. Filthy is fun, and so are quick, dirty flings in unexpected places. But lovemaking with a man who moves mountains—and a parrot—to be with me?
Priceless.
I wake in the morning to Ash kissing me gently. “Morning,” he murmurs. “Ready for the barbecue?”
“Barbecue?” I glance at the clock. “It’s nine in the morning.”
“I know.” He kisses me again, tugging the sheet back as he works his way over my collarbones. “But the welcome back party for all the consorts starts at eleven. I thought you’d like time to get showered and dressed and?—”
“Pick out something cute to wear for choosing two men to bang me?” Because yeah, that’s the plan.
Ash smiles and drags down the sheet. “Cute clothing might be beside the point, since we’ll all wind up naked eventually.”
“Good point.” My skin starts to tingle as he kisses his way down my belly. “Aren’t you worn out yet?”
“Never.” He’s almost to my hip bone, and I gasp as his teeth drag my skin. “I will never, ever get tired of devouring you.”
“Good to know.” I shudder. “But you’re right. I should really shower and get dressed. And you should save some stamina for later.”
With a sigh, he sits up. “I’m only stopping because you’re right. At my age, I want to make sure I can keep up with whomever you choose to invite to the bedroom.”
I snort. “Says the man who fucked me for three hours straight last night.” I pat his arm as I roll out of bed. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about in that department.”
“Still,” he muses, watching me walk nude to the bathroom. “A man must conserve his resources.”
We shower together as Ash goes over the plan.
With the pilots’ strike over, most of the consorts have returned to the resort and are planning to be at the barbecue.
I’ll mingle all day and gradually get to know them.
There’s no pressure to choose anyone if I’m just not feeling it.
But if there’s someone—two someones—who I happen to click with, Ash will ensure I fulfill my fantasy of being with three men at once.
By the time we boat over to Crystal Bliss, the party is underway.
Music booms from a sound system at the edge of the shore, and four shirtless men are playing a game of beach volleyball.
A man who is decidedly not Lars the chef stands grilling at a gigantic barbecue by the pool.
The smell of charred meat and sunscreen swirls together with laughter and loud claps on the shoulder as the consorts welcome each other back.
I catch a few surprised looks as Ash and I stride across the pool deck holding hands. A few people greet him, including two members of the housekeeping team who rush up to thank him for their vacation bonuses.
Another good deed the man never mentioned.
“I was able to pay off my medical debt,” says a sweet-faced woman who makes the sign of the cross. “I can’t thank you enough.”
Ash grips my hand with an embarrassed smile. “Thank you for all your hard work, Selena.”
As soon as she leaves, I look up at Ash. “That’s hot.”
His brow furrows. “I can have a few fans brought out to?—”
“Not what I meant.” I tip my chin toward the retreating employee. “The fact that you know your whole staff by name. That you take such good care of your employees.”
Ash looks confused. “I’m just doing what’s right.”
“Exactly,” I say, squeezing his hand. “Remember that the next time you start telling yourself you’re not a good man.”
“Camille!” Sybil breaks free from a small pack of consorts by the bar, launching herself at me like a blond, curly missile. She hugs me so hard that I hiccup.
“I’m glad he got out of his own way,” she whispers, glancing at Ash with a smile. “I still think you should have hit him up for a pony.”
“The parrot was plenty.”
She addresses Ash with a knowing expression. “Mind if I steal your girlfriend for a few minutes?”
“Only a few?” His blue eyes go molten. “I seem to recall it takes a bit longer than that.”
“Cute.” Sybil tugs me away by the hand. “I want to introduce you to some guys. Ash asked me to show you around a bit.”
How much does she know? Is she aware that I’m here to pick out two men who will join Ash and me in the bedroom?
The answer grows clear as she drags me toward a quartet of attractive men near the edge of the pool. She lowers her voice as we draw close. “I’ll point out the men who get the best marks for the triple-male foursome.”
“Marks?” I trip on the toe of my sandal, but Sybil keeps me steady. “Do guests actually grade them?”
“It’s a figure of speech, but I did read a number of guest reviews.” She waves to a man with pretty brown eyes and skin the color of warm honey. “Working here as long as I have, you get good intel on who’s skilled at what. Plus, I’ve done my own research?—”
“God, I love you.”
“I know.” She laughs. “So does my wife.”
For the next several hours, I make the rounds with Sybil. We rarely stray far from Ash, and he checks in every few minutes to see how I’m doing.
But mostly, he’s giving me space to explore and feel comfortable. It’s a welcome relief, given the delicate nature of what we’re planning. It’s not every day that I navigate the nuances of asking two strangers to fuck me alongside their boss.
I chat with a consort named James about his favorite hikes near his hometown in Brisbane, Australia. A gentle-voiced consort named Ivan tops off my soda and tells me about his favorite coastal village in Croatia.
“Very beautiful,” he says. “Your eyes, they’re the exact color of north Adriatic where it kisses the shoreline in Rovinj.”
I smile at his earnest expression. “I hope that’s a good thing.”
“It is,” he says, kissing the back of my hand. “And I hope Mr. Holyfield knows just how lucky he is.”
Sybil walks by and throws me a wink. I take that to mean she’s been spreading the word. That she’s nudging me toward prospective partners who won’t feel intimidated banging the boss’s new girlfriend.
It takes a certain sort of man to be comfortable with that, particularly when said boss will be part of the action.
“What do you think?” Sybil murmurs when we’re finally alone. “Anyone jumping out at you?”
“A few.” I survey the crowd, earning a few friendly waves and some smiles. “I really like Logan.”
“Isn’t he the best? Great guy.”
“Yes, but something tells me he’s not the right guy for me.” It’s the weirdest feeling, but I have an odd hunch Logan Wilder is meant for a different sort of woman. “Zane seems great. I think I’ll ask him.”
“Ooh, good pick.” She grins. “A man with an impressive sexual vocabulary who isn’t afraid to share his knowledge with parrots.”
I laugh and sip from my soda. “I’m thinking about Nico.”
“From Italy?” Smiling, she winks at the wavy-haired consort across the pool. “He was hoping you’d pick him. Holyfield doesn’t intimidate him like he does some of the other guys. And he won’t stop talking about how much he wants to taste all your freckles.”
I shiver with pleasure, grateful to know there’s a mutual attraction. It’s one thing to have a four-way unfold organically. But making it happen like this has me a little unsteady.
“Relax, Camille.” Sybil leans in and kisses my cheek.
“Every man here and most of the women want to lick every inch of your body. No one does this job unless we are completely obsessed with the female form. And no consort says yes to an enchantment they’re not one-hundred percent enthusiastic about. ”
“Thanks.” That puts me at ease and turns me on at the same time. There isn’t much hotter than an enthusiastic lover.
I catch Ash’s eye from across the pool. He gives me a smile that rattles my bones like lightning. As he starts heading toward us, my heart begins thumping. “What happens now? Do I proposition the guys, or?—”
“Leave it to us, sweetie.” She feathers another soft kiss on my cheek. “The Fortress and I will take care of everything.”