Page 35 of Just Curious

Jackson leaned his forehead against Casey’s and answered in a soft voice, “As you should.”

Willa took in their exchange with a fond expression. Casey really had become a complete and essential member of their relationship. She could barely remember what it had been like to just be a couple with Jackson now that Casey was so enmeshed with them.

By the end of the week in Canada, they were exhausted in the best way possible. Their bodies had taken on some incredibly difficult skiing situations, and they’d all done it with style. They had very few spills and had wonderful videos to take home and watch. And their nights together were incredible. Each of them expressed their love for one another over and over as they explored their bodies in intimate ways. Their hearts were filled with warmth and affection.

The night before they were due to leave, Casey brought up a question that he’d been pondering. “I think we ought to do something special for Stefan and Lorne. They’ve made this a wonderful adventure for us.”

“Agreed,” said Jackson as Willa nodded.

What they finally came up with was to write both of them generous checks. To say that the two Canadians were grateful and surprised is putting it mildly. Stefan blinked at the figure before whispering his thanks, and Lorne threw his arms around each of them, treating them in turn to a massive bear hug. He had tears in his eyes when they all said their goodbyes.

“I hope you come back again,” he told them. “You’re some of the nicest people I’ve ever taken out in these mountains, and you’re all amazing skiers. Enjoy the rest of your travels.”

And off they went in their SUV limo to catch the private jet that would fly them to Nice, France. Some warm sunshine and perhaps some sunbathing sounded pretty good after their week in the snow.

Chapter 21

The transcontinental and transatlantic flight was a long one, but they amused themselves by dining on exquisite cuisine and relaxing. They all read for a while after lunch and then opted to take a nap in the luxuriously appointed stateroom. The nap, of course, began energetically with some mile-high fun before they collapsed and slept for a few hours. A mouth-watering aroma woke them, and they were treated to an amazing dinner.

“This is the best way to travel,” sighed Willa. “It’s way better than first class.”

With all of the time zone changes, it was morning in Nice when they arrived.

Another helicopter met them at the private airstrip and took them directly to a mega-yacht. The yacht was anchored off the coast of the French Riviera, and they could see the coastline and other boats, but it was still quite private.

The yacht owner—a silver fox named Cyril who had the courtly manners of an English peer from the nineteenth century—met them and proudly took them on a tour, explaining things as they went. The 330-foot yacht boasted a swimming pool with a waterfall, jogging track, and four large staterooms with their own terraces, plus a magnificent master suite. There was a large gym and spa with a professional massage therapist and fitness trainer, a cinema room, a gorgeous dining salon, a library with Wi-Fi and an array of computers, and several comfortable sitting areas. Willa, who’d been taking photos with her phone all through the tour, was thrilled when they were shown to the underwater observatory that boasted a fully stocked bar and bartender.

Casey’s amazing skills were evident everywhere. Willa thought that he’d outdone himself; the décor was breathtaking. It seemed opulent and elegant without any extras that detracted from the sleek lines of the boat’s design. It was colorful and tasteful.

Looking pleased with himself, Casey remained mostly silent as they meandered through the incredible space. Jackson and Willa complimented his sense of style over and over as they remarked on the special touches he’d added.

Cyril introduced them to the crew as they made their way through the various levels. All-in-all, it took thirty people to pilot, maintain, serve, and otherwise entertain the guests. The tour did not include the crew’s quarters, being mindful of their privacy.

Cyril explained to Jackson and Willa, “It takes a lot of people to keep a boat of this size running smoothly, but we are only allowed up to twelve passengers at a time. Once you go over twelve, you become a passenger ship in the eyes of the International Maritime Organization, and you need to comply with a whole new set of regulations.” He smiled proudly and continued, “Besides, it’s more fun to have a few close friends instead of a huge crowd. We all appreciate our privacy, don’t we?” He winked at Willa, causing her to stifle a giggle.

The captain was a no-nonsense kind of man in a sharp uniform, and the rest of the crew were all attired in spotless, professional blue-and-white outfits that bore the name of the yacht: Dream Come True. Everyone was inviting and cordial, but respectfully reserved toward Cyril’s guests.

“Before I take my leave, I need to tell you, Jackson, that there was a message that came for you today. The chief steward can give you the information. Now,” he addressed Casey, “if there is anything you find that is not one hundred percent to your liking, or there is anything at all amiss with the staff, I trust you will report back to me immediately.” He took Willa’s hand and brought it to his lips in a very old-fashioned manner. “You grace my yacht with your beauty and elegance, and I trust you and your gentlemen will all have the time of your lives aboard my new toy. Thank you all for taking the crew on this test voyage for me. My pilot will take me ashore now. Should you need his services with the helicopter, the captain will assist you in reaching him. He is on-call twenty-four-seven.”

After everyone expressed their profound thanks, Cyril remembered something else. “If you all decide to go to the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo, be sure not to take cameras. They are not allowed inside for fear of anyone taking photos. They haven’t banned phones yet, however, so they aren’t exactly up to speed.” Then their host gave them all a cheery salute, climbed into the helicopter, and flew away.

After the long journey and their strenuous activities in the mountains, the trio were happy to relax. They explored the observatory, lounged on the deck, and enjoyed a sample of the chef’s cooking.

“I really have to do something active today,” Willa said on their second morning. “I don’t want another experience like when I got fat from too much good food at Taos. These crepes are amazing, but they’ll go straight to my hips. Anyone care to join me later for a run around the track?”

After that, the three began a routine of exercising, swimming, and sunbathing for a few days. They found that the yacht had a below-deck garage full of watersport vehicles that they could take out right at water level, so they spent a lot of time trying them out. Willa discovered she loved whooshing around the clear blue water of the Mediterranean on a jetboard, marveling at how different the sea looked compared to the Pacific Ocean she was so used to.

Casey and Jackson got the biggest kick out of showing off on the flyboard waterjets. They could zoom up to twenty or thirty feet in the air, hover around and be goofy laughing their head off, and then dive down and propel themselves underwater.

“Come on, Willa. This is amazing. You need to take one out too. You feel like you’re flying,” Casey coaxed gleefully.

“I prefer thesurfaceof the water, but you guys have fun,” she laughed.

After several days of quiet enjoyment on the yacht, they began to crave something new. They decided to head into Nice. They asked a crewman to take them aboard a skiff into the harbor, where they were met by a car service.

Casey served as their guide and showed them all over the city. Naturally, his idea of sightseeing was to go to upscale shops and antique dealers. Jackson and Willa loved watching him get excited about his finds and didn’t mind a bit that they weren’t wading through crowds at the typical tourist sights.

Late in the morning, they entered one of the local art galleries. Casey gasped, “Whoa!” and sped to the back of the exhibit. Willa and Jackson followed him to where a spotlight illuminated a glistening marble sculpture of a nude man and a woman embracing. “Look at this piece!” Casey said enthusiastically. “It’s an original Guillaume Routrez. I’ve been trying to locate one for years, and this one isgorgeous. I can’t believe my luck.” With wide eyes, he explained, “The sculptor came from Arles, and he died just a few years ago at the age of a hundred and one. This is an incredible find!” Casey was practically hyperventilating as he handed over his credit card and made arrangements to have the piece insured and shipped to California. As soon as he finished the transaction, he grabbed first Willa and then Jackson, laying happy smooches on both of them.

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