Page 12 of Captured

I threw her a look then lifted my arm, giving her my sign of disgust.

My three friends laughed. They were only teasing me, but they had no idea how much their taunts hurt. No, I wasn’t a virgin at least, not that I’d call what limited experience I’d had satisfying or memorable. My first and only intimate event had been with a boy who’d dared me for a kiss. That had turned into awkward fondling then sex that had lasted for all of thirty seconds. Somehow, his apology hadn’t been any more adequate than the less than stellar initiation.

That had been almost three years before and the moment in time had left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Come on. Lighten up,” Janie chastised. “This is supposed to be fun.”

We were at a glorious and protected campsite miles away from the city, not something I would have ever placed on my bucket list. Granted, most people would call our environment glamping instead, the exclusive location catering to the rich and famous who hungered for a taste of roughing it. Right. As if that’s what we were doing. My bedroom at home didn’t have as many fancy amenities as any of the four tents Cara’s father had rented for her birthday celebration.

He’d spared no expense, every tent with a private claw-foot tub and king-size bed, the fluffy comforters softer than a baby’s butt.

“It’s supposed to be a celebration. It is my birthday. You’re not having any fun, which isn’t allowed,” Cara chided as she grabbed the second champagne bottle she’d opened, refilling all our glasses, even though I’d only taken a single sip. I wasn’t much of a drinker, not because I didn’t enjoy the taste, but because drinking excessively was frowned on like almost everything else in my life.

Except for studying and playing the piano.

“I am having fun,” I insisted, dragging the crystal stem to my lips and licking the rim. We were spoiled rich kids, all of us growing up in posh environments, attending the finest schools and colleges. We’d been close for years, telling each other every secret and dark fantasy during the best and worst of times.

“Right,” Sierra muttered. “You just got the job of your dreams, able to finally move out of your father’s prison and you’re sulking.”

I tossed back almost the entire glass, laughing when frothy beads slipped past my lips. Maybe my friends were right in that I needed to loosen up. “I know. It’s just…” I had no real answer to why I was in a dark place other than the crazy girl inside of me continued to long to catch another glimpse of her midnight visitor. I could tell the girls were watching me as I refilled my glass. Maybe the chilled bubbly would help ease the tension that I’d felt since checking in.

“I’m telling you, girl, you need hot sex,” Cara teased again. “What about Troy?”

I spit out the sip I’d taken, glaring at her with all the nasty hatred I could muster in my expression. “You are kidding me. Right? Troy is an utter douchebag.”

“A douchebag in one hot body and he’s been after you for two years,” Sierra countered.

“As if I give a shit.” I slapped my hand across my lips. Cursing was for dirty girls.

My besties laughed again. We were all preparing to go our separate ways, our careers getting ready to take off. Cara had been offered a fantastic advertising job in New York, although the rest of us were pretty certain her father had twisted the owner’s arm, forcing him to make the offer. Still, she’d be earning two hundred and fifty thousand her first year, living in a high-rise condo with her famous, good-looking if not amorous boyfriend.

Janie was headed to Atlanta, ready to tackle the morning news in an anchor city. And Sierra had landed a part in an A-listed movie, only her third audition garnering her a part that could land her a multi-year series. The girl was moving to California. Sun. Surf. And hot men.

I was also headed to New York, thrilled that I’d been selected to work with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The pay wasn’t that great, but I’d be traveling the world while doing what I loved. One day I hoped to garner a solo pianist position, which could lead to record deals in the future. A girl could dream.

The sad part was that all three women had passionate men in their lives while I remained very much alone.

“Okay,” Janie cooed, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting someone would walk right up to us. That wasn’t likely given the expansive and very protected campsite. There were even armed guards parading around the property to ensure guests wouldn’t be bothered by transients or masked men. I almost giggled from the thought. “I think it’s time for our favorite game to spice things up a bit.”

Cara, Sierra, and I groaned as if on cue. The fantasy game had started when we’d been teenagers, barely kissed and more than eager for hot nookie. As it was Janie’s filthy creation, I’d always been fearful she’d secretly recorded our sinful desires, and eventually would pen the naughty fantasies for a fabulous and very salacious book that would embarrass the hell out of us while making her rich and famous.

I could even see a movie in the works.

“Come on. This might be our last time as a foursome. One last time,” Janie grinned before tossing another piece of wood onto the fire.

“Fine,” Cara said. “Who’s going first?”

“I think our little virtuoso should,” Sierra taunted. She lifted her glass into the firelight, her grin practically evil.

“You are such a bitch,” I told her. They also knew hot I hated the name, just like ‘child prodigy,’ which had haunted me my entire life.

“Takes one to know one.” At least I could laugh much easier this time. Maybe glamping was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Janie kept the mischievous grin on her face. “You always did have a very vivid imagination. Your fantasies are the best I’ve ever heard.”

“Novel worth,” Cara admitted.

I shook my head as the girls starting chanting as encouragement.

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