Pleasure Island

Excerpt

* * * * *

Definitely, the safest part of the morning had been shopping. Going to the pool that afternoon, Cassie learned, hadn't been the smartest idea. How did she ever think she would be unaffected by so many almost-naked males? They flocked around her, sat with and drank with her, smiled and touched and swam alongside her. Several offered suntan lotion and massages. They were all really nice and did their best to encourage her to join in, but Cassie couldn't seem to loosen up. She politely stayed for what seemed an appropriate length of time, then made excuses and scrambled out of the pool and away from the area as quickly as she could.
Geez, what's up with me? Any other woman would have been all over those guys, especially Giovanni. He was one hot male, she admitted, with his olive brown skin, dark features, and perfect smile. She found herself fantasizing what sex with him would be like.

Cassie didn't get to finish her thought. Rounding a corner of a hallway leading to her room, she ran smack into Zeus, or the man she'd nicknamed Zeus, yesterday.

"Whoa! Why in such a hurry?" He questioned in a smooth, male voice.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just heading back to my room."

He stepped closer to her, close enough that she caught the very enticing scent of sandalwood. "You left Giovanni at the pool alone. Not enough activities to keep you busy?"

"There are plenty of things to do, I'm sure. Just not things I'm interested in."

"What are you interested in, Ms. Douglas?"
Cassie swallowed, uneasy with the suggestive question and the hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Leaving. I told you that yesterday."

His unexpected laugh filled the hallway.

After an awkward moment, she was surprised when he didn't pursue yesterday's conversation about leaving.

"You know, our reputation is at stake." He stepped very close to her and leaned in. "If we can't provide you with a good time."

Cassie's breath suddenly caught in her throat. She shivered from the nearness of his very large, very male body. If he came any closer, she might reconsider.

Cassie forced herself to take a step back and met his gaze.

He straightened. "Why don't you try, Ms. Douglas, to have a little fun while you are here?"

Cassie pouted, obviously well chastised.

"If you'll excuse me," she managed to say, despite her breathlessness. Realizing she would probably make a fool of herself if she continued the conversation, she turned and scampered down the hall, imagining his heated gaze on her as she made her escape.

* * * * *

Cassie slipped neck deep into the extra-large Jacuzzi tub. She allowed the bubbles to cover her except for her head and the hand in which she held her glass of wine. She took a sip, glad the alcohol numbed the gnawing resentment rising inside her, sure everyone else was out enjoying the evening as she soaked in a warm tub. She couldn't blame anyone but herself for not being eager to take advantage of the available fun. She certainly wasn't unaffected by the handsome men and blatant sexuality. Actually, she spent most of the day fighting the tense arousal, which settled over her like a second skin, especially after the encounter this afternoon with Zeus. God, but could he make her skin prickle with gooseflesh.

Eventually, Cassie made her way from the bathroom and out to the patio. Wrapped in her robe, she plopped down in the chair. She felt let down, full of self-pity, and a bit drunk, since she'd polished off the bottle of wine.

"Cassie?"

She heard Raphael's voice at the same time he knocked on the door.

"I'm out here."

Raphael came out to the patio. "It's a beautiful night. What are you doing here all by yourself?"

She saw him take note of the wine bottle and the empty glass she held in her hand.

"Why are you not out enjoying yourself?" He pursued his line of questioning.

"What's to enjoy?"

Raphael gaped. "What?"

"You know what I mean."

"No, Cassie, not exactly. This whole place is nothing but wildness and fun, yet here you sit, sulking in your room."

"Then why are you here, Raphael? Why aren't you out having fun?"

"Cassie, I'm working. Believe me; I have my share of fun. You are a beautiful woman. You should be out partying and driving the boys crazy."

Cassie smiled at the compliment.

"It's time you lose the sulky attitude and the pity party you're having. You need to let yourself indulge a little, Cass."

She looked away from Raphael.

"I can't," she whispered to the breeze. "I don't know how, anymore." And that was the crux of it. At thirty years old, Cassie no longer knew how to have a good time.

Cassie had always held such zest for life. At one time, years ago, she didn't hesitate to reach for all life offered. She remembered how much fun being carefree and irresponsible had been and smiled wistfully.

When did the fun stop? When had doubt and insecurity replaced carefree and irresponsible? It wasn't as if she just woke up one day and her free spirit was gone. It vanished, over time, from the demands of a boring job, a disastrous love life, and being alone too much. Now, her fun-loving spirit was near extinct. Cassie lowered her head.

Another knock at the door drew Cassie away from her thoughts. Raphael excused himself to answer it. He exchanged a few quiet words Cassie couldn't hear, and then shut the door. He joined her once again on the patio.

"Cassie, we've all experienced being lost at one time or another. But to find yourself again, you have to leave your comfort zone. It's part of life, you know."

"You are much too philosophical for someone so young, Raphael."

"I observe people. Don't let life pass you by. You have an opportunity, risk free, I might add, to put spice into your life. Who the hell is ever going to know, anyway? We don't kiss and tell around here." Raphael winked.

Cassie couldn't help but chuckle. She adored Raphael. He figured out more about her in a few minutes than most people ever learned. She wondered what experiences gave him such insight to the human condition. He couldn't be more than twenty-two, maybe twenty-three, and wise beyond his years. But he did boost her assurance, becoming her very own cheering section. Maybe this is what she needed right now, someone to instill confidence in her, to give her a shove out of her safe place.

"Cassie," Raphael said. "You look so deep in thought, I hate to interrupt, but a card arrived for you."

Along with a red rose, Raphael handed Cassie a white envelope. Cassie nervously opened it. A single sentence sprawled in perfect penmanship. "Come dance with me. Giovanni."

Cassie showed him the card.

"Well?" Raphael asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Well what?" One look told Cassie exactly what Raphael thought. "I can't."

"Sure you can. You are gorgeous and sexy, and he's so interested."

"Raphael, he's supposed to be interested." Cassie reminded. "I can't. It's been so long. I think I've forgotten how."

Raphael raised his hand and cut Cassie off. "No more excuses. You have nothing to worry about."

Cassie bit her lip, torn between what to do. She wanted so much just to go. She looked at the wine bottle. She hoped the drink would give her courage. This was her chance to do something daring and exciting again.

"What if he's disappointed?"

"Giovanni will be anything but disappointed. Trust me on that one." Raphael smirked. "He loves women. All women. Regardless of how far you two go, you will have a wonderful time with him."

Cassie sensed Raphael's excitement, even before she committed to go.

"Ah, come on. I'll help you get ready."

"Whoa." She took a step back from his proffered hand. "Let me think about this."

"You do that too much from what I can tell. It's time to stop thinking."