“Fantasy Castle? What’s that? Some sort of kinky amusement park?” Sean asked.
“No. It’s a resort. You can nominate people who do charitable stuff and good things for others. They get a fantasy week in this castle, if selected.” Brody had stumbled on to it trying to find a way to repay Kat. He knew Sean would see right through the plan, but doing something for her felt right. Flowers or some other little trinket wouldn’t be nearly enough for what she did for the waves of injured soldiers coming home.
“If you want to get in touch with Kat, call her. We’ve got her cell number. We haven’t been her patients for months.” Sean downplayed his interest, but Brody knew better.
“This isn’t about trying to date her. She gave us that number if we needed a little refresher rehab. Physical therapist is her job, but she doesn’t have to work with the military. She didn’t have to help us through it all beyond the physical injuries.” Brody began filling in the form. Kat took care of most of the men like they were her brothers…but their spark was different. Brody could tell she felt something more for him and Sean. She’d had to fight it.
“Fine, so you want her to win a nice vacation. I’m in. What do we need to do?” Sean leaned over and read the requirements. “Four testimonials. I’ll call a couple of the guys. We can write up ours and send them in. Just don’t get your hopes up.”
Brody shrugged. “She deserves it. A thank-you card won’t cut it.”
“If she comes around, we share.” Sean held out his fist.
Brody bumped it. They’d never fall out or fight. That pact had been made when they were both pursuing her. Kat was special. They’d tried to get out and date since, but no one felt right. Women their age were either repulsed or turned on by their scars and military service. Most didn’t fully grasp how deep the damage went.
“She won’t come around. When we finished rehab, she still said we were too young. A hot woman like Kat probably has guys hitting on her all the time.” Brody wanted to thank her. If she really had no interest in them, then some sort of closure might help him to let her go.
“If she gets the trip then we can ask how it went. She’ll see we’re not like all the other guys,” Sean said.
“Kat knows that. We talked about her as much as ourselves. Not your normal rehab. Let’s get her a vacation.” Brody filled in her information by heart. Anyone else might think he was a stalker, but he knew he could give up on her if he had to. He’d given up some of the sports he loved, those toughest on his knees. Hell, he’d put to rest some buddies killed in action. His military career was over. Moving on came with life, but he had to be sure about Kat first.
“We’re survivors. War teaches you weird shit. You’re right though. If she spends all her days with guys like us and those who were injured worse, she deserves to be spoilt.” Sean nodded.
She definitely did. Brody and Sean had to be practical about it. They couldn’t afford to send her on a trip this luxurious. Even if they could, she’d feel pressured. The Fantasy Castle meant no strings or guilt. She’d earned this and he believed she’d be chosen. One thing Brody had learned from his tour of duty—hope never died.
* * * *
Kat Calvino had rarely been on an aeroplane. Her life revolved around her work. The odd trip to Vegas for a friend’s wedding or spring break in Florida had been nice back in college, but international travel marked a new experience.
The longest stretch had been over when they’d landed in London. Now she sat in a small private plane that oozed luxury. As the descent began, she gazed out the widow and spotted a huge castle in the middle of lush green lawns.
If this wasn’t a fairytale, she’d sure as hell never get this close to one again. Whoever had nominated her for the prize deserved a big thank you note when she got back. She had to find out who’d entered her for this.
As she exited the plane and slid into the limo, she glanced at the castle in the distance. Her wardrobe wasn’t fancy enough for this! Some minutes later, the limo stopped and someone opened the door. She would’ve rubbed her eyes but didn’t want to smudge her mascara.
It was true! The footman held out his hand and she stepped out. At the front door of a castle, she looked up and shook her head. A week here? It was a dream! The tall stone structure dwarfed her. Looking side to side, she loved the grand turrets on either end. While the exterior appeared simple, the grounds detailed the luxury and excess befitting a castle. Lawns so green they looked painted on rolled along either side of the flat land and as far as she could see. Large old trees dotted the landscape as well. Turning, she glanced back down the brick path the limo had followed. The simple elegance of it all impressed her more than if the road was made of gold.
“Welcome, Ms Calvino. I’m Lady Olive.” A tall slender woman stepped forward. Her hair was pulled up tight and the long skirt suit looked very proper and conservative. The accent was British, but Kat wasn’t entirely sure where they were.
“Thank you.” Kat surveyed a line of maids and footmen. “I feel like I’ve landed in Downton Abbey.”
A tall and expensively dressed man stepped through the front entrance. He took her hand and kissed it. “Not at all. This is a castle, not an abbey. I promise we have all the modern conveniences. Welcome.”
Kat pulled her hand back but felt the heat on her cheeks. She wasn’t one to fall for the childhood stories, but this was a vacation she couldn’t turn down. “Thank you. Is this your castle?”
He nodded. “I’m your host, Mr Foster. If there is anything you require, let our staff know. Everything is at your disposal. Lady Olive will get you settled. If you’ll excuse me.”
The host left as quickly as he’d arrived, but there was nothing rushed about the suave older man. Kat followed Lady Olive inside as footmen toted her luggage.
“If you’re a lady, is he a duke or something?” Kat asked.
Lady Olive almost cracked a full smile. “No, he inherited a great deal of money and purchased the castle. He likes to reward kind and selfless people. You’ll be residing in the north wing.”
They turned and entered a huge hall. Two maids opened the doors to her left and Kat stepped into a sitting room done in creams and rich browns. She needed to pause and take it all in. Giddy excitement bubbled up inside her. No cleaning her house! No coaching hurt men with scars inside and out. No wearing scrubs or holding back tears for soldiers in pain this week.
She’d miss the people, but everyone took a week off now and then. This felt like another world. The room smelt like lavender and she spied a vase of her favourite flowers right there on the coffee table.
“Please have a seat. Your maids will unpack your things.” Lady Olive sat in a high-backed armchair with paisley fabric.
“I don’t think I brought the right clothes. I don’t own the right clothes for here.” Kat sank onto the velvet sofa.
“Don’t worry about that. There is an entire wardrobe in there fitted to your measurements. Your bedroom is done in an emerald green. That is your favourite colour, true?” Lady Olive opened a portfolio.
“How did you know that? How do you know my measurements?” Kat asked.
“You filled out a basic questionnaire by hand as requested. That is a huge help. I get a sense for the guest from their handwriting. It’s important for me to connect.”
“Are you psychic?” Kat wasn’t a big believer in that stuff, but she’d been accused of having a sixth sense about her patients. Experience and instinct helped.
“I don’t like to label it. My particular gift helps me give you the best fantasy. Beyond the questionnaire, we do our research, quite thoroughly, in order to give you the best possible week. You have selected a lot of our spa treatments and outdoor activities. We also have dancing instruction. You know there is a ball at the end of the week?” Lady Olive’s eyebrow arched elegantly.
Kat felt like Olive could see right through her. “Who would I dance with? Mr Foster?”
“Possibly. He will attend the welcome dinne
r tonight and the farewell brunch, but the ball is optional for him. His schedule, you understand. If you need to contact him, let us know. However, I assure you, there will be plenty of attractive men with whom you can dance. Any other personal fantasies you may have, I’m sure you’ll find ample opportunity to fulfil them.”
Kat picked up the subtle sexual innuendo. “I’m not really into sex with strangers. Let’s stick to manis, pedis, mud baths, professional massages and maybe some horseback riding.”
“Of course. A maid will leave your schedule on your nightstand every morning. Should you wish to change anything, simply let them know. These rooms are yours. Across the hall is a full gym with an indoor pool. There is always kitchen coverage. Call down for food anytime you like.” Lady Olive nodded to the maids as they emerged. “Chloe and Emmy will take excellent care of you. Dinner is at seven. They’ll see you’re dressed properly.”
“Thank you. Wait—I have one question. Who nominated me for this prize?” Kat asked.
“I can’t divulge that information. I’m sorry.” Lady Olive made notes then snapped her folio shut. In a blink she was gone, but the echo of her heels on the marble floors proved she wasn’t a ghost.
Annoyed, Kat wasn’t done trying to find the truth. She wandered from the sitting room to the completely outfitted office area. It wasn’t like a hotel or anyplace else she’d ever been. The ancient feel and the ornate luxury ran deep. Even Lady Olive wasn’t an act. Kat would bet it was a real title and real class.
Kat checked out the bedroom. The rich greens soothed Kat, but a huge mahogany bed and a large TV made her feel totally spoilt. She could happily spend the week in this room. Flopping on the bed, she knew she should stay up to avoid jet lag, but the covers were so soft that she couldn’t help it. Yawning, she gave in to her vacation.
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About the Author
A lover of unusual things, Cheryl Dragon enjoys writing unique stories with sinfully hot erotic romance. Her two favourite settings are Las Vegas and New Orleans…where anything can happen! Cheryl lives in the Chicagoland area with her deaf albino cat. By day she analyses numbers for a division of a large international conglomerate, which leaves the creative juices free for her erotic romance novels.
Email: [email protected]
Cheryl loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.totallybound.com.
Also by Cheryl Dragon
Paid Holiday
One Weekend
Keeping It Interesting
A Firm Hand
Fantasy Castle: Kat’s Karma
Out of Bounds: Making the Pass
Tied to the Billionaire: Devoted to Him
Totally Bound Publishing
Runaway Cowgirl Page 8
