Page 24 of The VIP Package

“The sex resort’sclosed.”

They gasp and I get down to spilling the story. I tell them about the mix-up with the reservation and how I arrived to an empty lobby. How there isn’t a single consort on the island. How the pools are all empty for cleaning and there’s not even a functioning restaurant if I wanted to stay a few days with the goal of resuming my fantasy vacay when things reopen next week.

Which I haven’t been invited to do in any case.

Somewhere in the middle of sharing my story, I debate whether to tell them about Ashton. He’s a public figure, but a private man.

Ultimately, I trust my girls. Besides, it’s not like I’m bound by client privilege. I gave Ashton Holyfield a BJ, not a therapy session.

“Fabulous.” Eve performs a dramatic slow clap. “I love this for you.”

“Thanks.” I look at Sara, whose eyes are as wide as silver dollars. “You okay, Sar?”

“Oh my God.” She’s the virginal product of a strict upbringing, so it’s no shocker she’s stunned. “That’s so—so—so?—”

“Wild.” Eve supplies. “Exciting for Camille.”

“Yes, of course.” Sara nods. “I’m happy if you’re happy.” She nibbles her bottom lip. “Will you see him again?”

“I mean, I kinda have to. I don’t have a way off the island without him. But no, we’re notdating, if that’s what you mean.”

“I met Ashton Holyfield once,” Eve muses. “When I went back for Kit’s final presentation of the study. He’s, um…” She’s fumbling for the right word, and I hold back the urge to help her describe Ashton.

Sexy?

Commanding?

Insanely attractive?

“Scary,” she says.

“Oh.” I can see that. “Not really, once you get to know him.”

“You’ve gotten to know him?” Sara still looks astonished. “When did you get there? My time zone math gets all mixed up. You left about thirty-eight hours ago, right?”

“Something like that.” I glance at the clock on the wall, calculating the time change and my layover and the time it takes to get from Jamaica to here. “I arrived about five hours ago.”

“Holy shit.” Sara looks at Eve. “You said that place was like another planet. I guess time operates differently there?”

She sounds more curious than judgy, which I love about Sara. She might be a little naïve, but she’s open minded. Just because she and her hot, Navy fiancé decided to wait until marriage for sex, she doesn’t judge others who make different choices.

“To be honest, I feel like I’ve been in a time warp the last couple days. Maybe more than a week. Like the wedding happened so quickly that my brain never had time to catch up.”

“And your body had other needs.” Eve nods and I know she gets it. “Sometimes, listening to your body isn’t such a bad thing.”

“As a short-term measure, absolutely.” I’ve talked endlessly about the therapeutic benefits of rebound flings. “It wouldn’t be the basis for a long-term relationship, but that’s the last thing I’m looking for here.”

“I want to know more about this Holyfield guy.” Sara pulls out her phone, so I guess we’re chatting on her iPad. As she starts to scroll, I twist the taps to warm my bathwater. These suds are luxurious, all foamy and fragrant. I’ll have to ask Ashton what sort of bubble bath they buy.

“Holyfield is kinda famous.” Sara taps at her screen. “I knew he was some sort of eccentric billionaire, but he does tons of philanthropy stuff.”

“Interesting.” I meant to Google him before I got in the tub but got distracted. “Does it list his age?”

“Forty-five.” Sara keeps scrolling as Eve wiggles her brows.

“You do like older men,” she says. “The zaddy thing, right?”

“He does have that going for him.” Maybe this counts for my age-gap fantasy. “Doesn’t he own like a zillion resorts worldwide?”

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