The man Crystal had been making eyes at approached the table. He leaned over Crystal and murmured something in her ear. She chuckled, a deep throaty sound, and her lips curled up in a wicked smile. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor where he drew her into a close embrace. Her red strapless dress, with a light sprinkling of sequins, glittered in the low light. They quickly disappeared among the crowd of dancers.
Eva admired Crystal. She knew what she wanted, and she went after it. If only everyone was as well-adjusted as her.
Kate giggled. “Do you think she really means it? I mean, that she’d go to bed with two guys?”
“I’m sure it was just talk.” Eva’s gaze followed the couple across the dance floor as they came into view, wove past several couples, then disappeared into the crowd again.
“I don’t know. I think she’s up for anything,” Jenna piped in. “And more power to her.”
Jenna was probably right. Crystal was confident and didn’t seem to care what others thought of her. A formidable combination.
Ever since Crystal had joined them at the table, the men had all been eying her. Eva could understand why they found Crystal fascinating. She exuded potent sexuality.
After Eva’s divorce and her total disenchantment with men, she had actually considered going the other way. Another woman would likely be very giving sexually—the total opposite of Roger—and that’s what Eva needed now. If any woman could ever convince Eva to switch, it would be someone like Crystal, but Eva knew it wouldn’t work. The simple fact was that Eva was attracted to men. She just didn’t trust them.
Damn this thrumming sexual need which had been vibrating through her for weeks. She toyed with the stem of her glass. The hunger coursing through her heated her blood even now. She found her gaze wandering to the tall, muscular physiques of the men around her. So hot. So handsome.
A man at the next table leaned close to his companion’s ear and murmured something. The woman laughed. Eva could imagine him sitting next to her, his strong arm brushing against hers, his breath whispering into her ear. Desire, like a flash fire, burst through her, searing her nerve endings.
Oh God, but she needed a man.
She fought back the urge. No, she didn’t need a man. She could take care of herself. Her thoughts turned to the big blue vibrator sitting in the drawer of the bedside table in her room. As soon as this party was over, she had a date with “big blue”.
The song changed, and a moment later, Crystal returned to the table. She wrapped her hands around her glass and stared into it.
“He was nice but not exactly what I’m looking for.”
“And what are you looking for?” Kate asked.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll know it when I find it.” Crystal stabbed the cherry in her glass with the sharp end of the swizzle stick and brought it to her lips. She gently tugged it off with her teeth, then drew it into her mouth, closing her lips around it.
Jenna watched with fascination, then nervously glanced down at her hands when she realized Eva had noticed. Did Jenna admire Crystal’s easy sensuality? Or, like Eva had, was Jenna considering the possibilities?
“You know, I won this vacation in a contest.” Jenna twirled the tip of her finger around the rim of her glass
“Really? I did too,” Eva responded.
Kate’s eyes widened. “Me too.”
Crystal pointed a finger trimmed with a long, well-manicured red fingernail at Aria. “And you?”
Aria nodded.
“Same here.” Crystal sipped her drink.
“Omigod.” Kate giggled. “What a coincidence.”
“Not a coincidence, sweetie. They probably want to get a photo of all of us. You know, for marketing, yada yada yada.” Crystal rested her chin on her hands. “And we’ll probably have to sit through some long, boring pitch to buy a timeshare.”
“I don’t think so,” Aria chimed in. “We’re not exactly the demographic they’re looking for and—”
“Ladies, my name is Terrien. It’s time for the orientation.”
A stunningly handsome man smiled at them with dazzling white teeth. Eva’s insides quivered. Did the parade of temptations never end?
“Would you all come with me, please?” He drew Kate’s chair back.
Kate sent him a glowing smile and stood. “Lead on.”