They say they’ll make plans at a place off the island. I just need to clear my schedule from Friday evening through Sunday night.
The next evening after work I corner my sister in the clothing shop when she’s getting ready to close. “Bianca, something’s come up and I won’t be able to help with inventory this weekend. Could one of your friends possibly take my place? Maybe Olivia?”
It’s short notice, and I feel bad bailing on her, but I can’t put the men off for a full week. Hell, it’s practically killing me to hold off until the weekend, but I know they’ll be worth the wait.
“Why? What are you doing?”
“I have plans.”
My sister gives me the eye, clearly not accepting my vague response.
I absent-mindedly straighten a display of lip balm on the counter. “I’ve been invited to go away for the weekend.”
“What happened? Did you get back with David?”
“No.”
She narrows her eyes at me in a truth-seeking glare. Then her face brightens as if she’s solved a puzzle. “One of your bosses.”
“What? What makes you say that?”
“If it’s not David, it’s one of your bosses. There hasn’t been anyone else in your life lately, and I don’t think you’d go away with someone you just met.”
Solid reasoning. And I may as well let her think it’s one of my bosses, rather than all four of them.
“Sleeping with your boss is not a good idea.”
“I know what I’m doing.” I turn to leave before I say something I shouldn’t, or before I think too much about her warning.
I offer to meet the men at the hotel, but Nathan and Derek insist that I ride with them. To my surprise, our destination turns out to be the most luxe resort in the state. I knew of it, and had driven past its entrance, but this is my first time behind the trees and hedges that separate it from the outside world, and I am more than a little impressed.
We’re greeted by men in crisp white resort casual wear who take our bags and the keys to Nathan’s truck. Inside the lobby, everything is understated elegance, with neutral colors, touches of marble, and tall potted ferns and palms that lead the eye up to the atrium ceiling.
Our suite is even more impressive. It’s no surprise that it’s larger than my apartment, but it’s also bigger than my parents’ house, and possibly has even more square footage than our store. There are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining area, and a very spacious living room with a bar and fireplace.
The master bedroom has a bed that at first seems ridiculously oversized, until I realize that it may not actually be quite large enough for the five of us. The thought of us all tangled in the bed triggers a rush of heat between my legs.
From the living room, double doors lead out to a private yard, beautifully landscaped and surrounded by tall hedges. There’s a pool and hot tub, and when I look left and right I don’t see any other rooms connected to this outside area.
“This is ours? Just ours?”
Nathan puts a hand on my shoulder, giving me a gentle squeeze. “You said privacy was important to you.”
“Yes, but, I wasn’t expecting this.” I’m blown away, really, by the luxury of it all. I feel flattered that they set this up for me, but then a little nagging thought tells me that they probably have been here before with other women.
Ash and Landon arrive a few minutes later, and after they get settled Derek opens a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket I hadn’t noticed. “To a fun weekend,” he says, holding his glass aloft.
The other men echo his toast as we clink glasses, and I look into each of their eyes in turn. It feels like the bubbly goes straight to my head, but it may be excitement making me dizzy.
I’m surrounded by so much man.
There’s a knock on the door, followed by Nathan ushering in a waiter with a cart of covered dishes. I’m surprised to realize that it’s dinner time. I hadn’t been thinking of food at all, but the aromas that suddenly fill the room smell delicious.
After tipping the waiter and showing him out, Nathan turns to me. “Are you hungry?”
“I am now.”
Nathan and Landon distribute the plates as we settle around the dining table. An artfully arranged dish of salmon and vegetables is placed in front of me while I notice the men are having steak or chicken. I eat a mostly vegetarian/pescatarian diet, so I’m pleased to see the fish.
Ash catches my eye and nods to my dish. “Is that all right?”
“Yes, it’s perfect. How did you know this is what I would want?”
He looks around at the other men. “We listen when you talk, and we pay attention.”