OffshoreSeductions

by Patti Shenberger

  Vivi turned toward the sound of the voice and smiled. “Fancy meeting you here, gentlemen. And I do use the term loosely based on prior experience.”

  Jeff Baker leaned over and kissed Vivi on the cheek. “Woman, do you ever look less than perfect?”

  “Hey, share would you?” John Hogan shoved Jeff aside and brushed Vivi’s cheek fondly.

  “I hear it’s the three of us this week,” Vivi said, watching the two models select a chair.

  “In most cases, three’s a crowd, but this time three’s company.”

  “And I’m glad to have you along for the fun.”

  John dropped his carry-on next to a chair across the aisle and lowered himself into it. “Ah, I’ve died and gone to Heaven.”

  Jeff followed suit and soon the three were engaged in a lively conversation till a man’s voice came over the speakers.

  “Please fasten your seatbelts in preparation for take-off. Once we reach our cruising altitude of twenty-thousand feet, Audrey will begin serving breakfast. Until then, sit back, enjoy the flight and let the cabin crew know if there is anything you require.”

  What she required was her feet on the ground. Vivi closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. Flying was never her favorite thing to do and yet her job required it practically on a weekly basis. Her stomach lurched as the plane picked up speed and was soon off the runway and climbing higher and higher away from the ground. Once the clouds blanketed everything within sight, Vivi would be fine until it was time to drop the landing gear and head for terra-firma.

  Vivi accepted the mug of hot tea and carefully took a sip. She wished she could brew something this wonderful at home, but hers always ended up tasting just a bit off.

  “I could seriously get used to this,” Jeff said from across the aisle.

  “Beats first class every time,” Vivi replied. “But this is a first for me. Usually I’m traveling commercial. I’ve never been in a private plane before.”

  “Gives new meaning to the phrase how the upper half lives, doesn’t it?” John replied.

  “You got that right.” Jeff pushed back his seat and moaned. “Oh god, it’s even got massage built in. I’m not leaving this seat till we get there. This is going to be one fantastic ride.”

  Vivi looked at John and smiled. “Children. They do make the trip amusing.”

  “Yeah, too bad we couldn’t leave this one at home.” He jerked his finger in Jeff’s direction.

  “I heard that,” Jeff mumbled.

  “So, how does it feel knowing you’re the headliner on this party boat?” John asked Vivi and then took a sip of his juice.

  “I have to admit I was floored when my agent called to tell me the news. But to be in the 100th Edition issue is a huge coup for all of us. This will open doors we’ve never even dreamed about.”

  John nodded. “I agree. I gotta admit, it gave me goose bumps just thinking about it last night.”

  “Yeah, he kept tossing and turning all night long. Drove me crazy,” Jeff grumbled.

  “I thought you were getting your beauty sleep over there,” John teased. “Don’t let him kid you. He was just as psyched as I was.”

  Vivi looked over at Jeff who nodded sheepishly. “Yeah, I am.”

  She smiled. John and Jeff were two of the nicest men she’d ever met and within minutes they’d formed a fast and lasting friendship on the first shoot they’d done together. And she was thrilled they were along for the wild ride they were all about to take.

  After a breakfast of Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and wheat toast, Vivi was stuffed. Jeff was spot on, it was hard not to be enticed by everything the flight attendant offered.

  Vivi looked over at the pile of newspapers by her side. They covered everything from international news to local happenings, to the celebrity gossip magazines.

  Lifting up her home town paper, Vivi skimmed the front page before flipping to the horoscopes. Just because she was on a job didn’t mean she wasn’t going to take a peek at how her day would be going. Granted she didn’t put a lot of stock in the words, she just read it for fun. How often was a horoscope ever one hundred percent accurate? Besides, everyone who was an Aries was going to get the same thing all on the same day. And the same could be said for the other astrological signs. She seriously didn’t think so.

  Aries girl, today’s your lucky day. Get ready for a hot and heavy romance. Be prepared for fireworks in and out of the boudoir. But don’t get burned in the process. Keep your guard up and you’ll walk away unscathed. Otherwise, your heart is going to fall hard with you along for the ride.

  Vivi bit back a laugh. Yeah, like that was going to happen any time soon. Besides, she was on a job. Not like she was going to fall in love with anyone there. Her hand froze in mid-air, the paper still clutched within her fingers over the end table.

  The job.

  Out of Bounds magazine.

  Rafe Santori.

  No, it wasn’t possible. There was no way that her horoscope was right. No way that this was going to happen. Falling in love with Rafe Santori didn’t come anywhere close on her list of things to do this week. Giving him a little payback for the past was a totally different matter entirely.

  She shook her head and dropped the paper on the table next to her. Vivi leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, trying hard to erase the idea from her head.

  She might as well make use of the downtime while she could. Once they landed Vivi knew it would be business, business, and more business till the shoot was over. She’d sleep once she got back home.

  Vivi gathered up her tote bag and pushed her sunglasses from the top of her head back to the bridge of her nose.

  “Welcome to St. Thomas, people. For the next six days it’s sun, sun, and more sun. Hope you packed your sun block, Vivi,” John said as he helped her down the steps of the plane and onto the tarmac.

  Waves of heat shimmered off the surface of the concrete as they made their way to the waiting limousine. The sun was shining brightly in the sky and the feel of the warm breeze against her face did wonders to lift Vivi’s spirits. Her short nap on the plane had been filled with erotic dreams of Rafe Santori. Not what she wanted or needed at present time. Just thinking about it made her stomach give a lurch. Damn the man, he invaded her thoughts whether she wanted him to or not.

  “I don’t plan on spending any time soaking up the sun, John. This is a working trip, remember?” Vivi reminded him. “Some of us have bills to pay.”

  “Hey, working or not, we are in the Caribbean and that’s all that matters to me,” Jeff spoke up. “And getting paid to be here, no less. I’ll take that over sun worshipping any day. Besides, John, you’ve been looking a little wrinkly around the edges. Might want to cut back on the fake and bake machine,” he teased his partner of five years.

  “Just wait. One of these days life will catch up with you, too, buddy. And they’re not wrinkles, they’re laugh lines and I’ve earned each and every one of them.”

  “Boys, do I have to separate you to make you behave?” Vivi laughed, knowing the good natured teasing was all in fun.

  John and Jeff laughed at the thought. It wasn’t the first time over the years Vivi had threatened them with it.

  “Honey, you know we three work better as a team than alone. Separating us will only make us bored and cranky. Together, we are invincible,” John said.

  Vivi nodded. “That is true.”

  She was still having trouble wrapping her head around the fact that mere hours ago the plane had taken off from Oakland County Airport and now here she was standing on the tarmac of the private jet at Cyril E King Airport in the Virgin Islands. Vivi took off her jacket and draped it over her arm. The temperature was a definite difference as well. More like summer than spring, Vivi thought.

  “Miss Bloom?”

  Vivi turned toward the sound of the man’s voice. “Yes, I’m Vivian Bloom.”

  “Please follow me. I’m Mr. Santori’s driver.” The man leaned over and took Vivi�
��s luggage, motioning for a nearby porter to gather the rest of the luggage as the trio followed him to the waiting limo.

  After ushering them inside and out of the heat, he took his seat behind the wheel and spoke up. “Mr. Santori regrets not being able to personally pick you up from the airport, but he was detained on the mainland. He will join you as soon as his schedule permits.”

  “That’ll be fine,” Vivi turned her face to the window so neither the driver or her two friends would see the disappointment in her eyes. Not that they could, thanks to her sunglasses. Vivi knew she shouldn’t be putting so much stock into seeing Rafe Santori again after all this time, but a small part of her wanted him to see how much she had changed, had grown and had taken command of her future.

  She wanted him to see she wasn’t the sweet twenty-year-old girl that he spurned the last time they met.

  She stared out the window at the scenery as the driver put the car into gear and headed off the tarmac.

  Lush greenery filled every vacant spot, brilliant pink and red flowers dotting the side of the road as they wove their way through the town and toward the marina.

  “We’ll be aboard the yacht in less than an hour. Should you wish for refreshments in the meantime, the mini bar is stocked for your convenience. Please help yourself.”

  “Thank you,” Vivi murmured.

  Beside her, she could hear John and Jeff discussing whatever the contents were in the small refrigerator, not that it mattered to her at present. She was still full from the gourmet breakfast she’d eaten earlier. Vivi let her thoughts drift, the sound of their voices fading into the background as she took in the landscape outside the window.

  Maybe it was a good thing Rafe wasn’t there to greet them. Then again maybe it only gave her a reprieve till later on. Either way, Vivi knew she needed to gather her wits about her and fast.

  Chapter Three

  The limo slowed to a stop at the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Two cruise ships were docked at the concrete pier as traffic yielded the right of way to the pedestrians in the crosswalk.

  It was all Vivi could do not to gawk in amazement at the size of the giant ships anchored in the harbor. Sure, she’d been on cruises before, but never paid much attention to the outside of the ship. She could see the passengers walking around the decks, eagerly awaiting their turn to go ashore. But to do so she had to crane her neck upward to get the full effect.

  The driver continued on and turned onto a side street. Vivi leaned closer to the window to see the sign. Yacht Haven Grande, it read. And from the look of the boats docked there, it was definitely a haven for yachts.

  And not just a few, there were over two dozen tied up.

  “Would you look at the size of that one? It’s like an office building.”

  “That looks more like a floating hotel than a yacht,” Jeff said softly. “Which one do you think is Santori’s?”

  “That one,” Vivi lifted her hand and pointed to a huge ship docked in one of the slips. “No Regrets. Interesting name, but it certainly does fit the owner.”

  “We will be arriving momentarily at Mr. Santori’s yacht. If you would like to go into town, please let me know and I’ll take you wherever you’d like. Also the Yacht Haven Grande does have its own dining and shopping complex, should you prefer to stay within the marina. You have only but to ask.” The driver filled them in on all the surrounding options.

  Minutes later, Vivi once again accepted the drivers hand as she alighted from the limo. The bright sunshine nearly blinded her as her gaze quickly swung back and forth, trying to take it all in.

  “Thank you. This is magnificent.”

  “It does tend to take one’s breath away,” the driver replied before heading to the trunk to retrieve the luggage.

  “Take your breath away is an understatement,” Jeff said, shaking his head. “This could render a guy speechless.”

  Vivi followed the driver up the gangplank and onto the yacht.

  “Welcome aboard the No Regrets, Miss Bloom, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Baker. It’s a pleasure to have you traveling with us this week. My name is Roland, Mr. Santori’s personal valet, and I’ll be taking care of you while you enjoy your time aboard. If there is anything you require, at any time of the day or night, you have only but to press the number one button on your stateroom phones. That will connect you to me directly. Thank you, Benjamin.” The valet turned to the driver and clapped him on the back.

  “And as Benjamin already mentioned, he is at your disposal if you wish to journey into town, go out to dine, or anything else you desire while we are in port.”

  This was like being given the keys to Disney World, Vivi thought. Ask and you shall receive.

  “Miss Bloom if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your stateroom first so that you may freshen up, if you’d like. Gentleman, if you’d be so kind as to have a seat on the terrace, I’ll be back promptly to show you to your staterooms as well.”

  Vivi followed Roland across the terrace, into what she thought might be the living room, then across the room into an elevator and up two floors. At least she thought they were called floors on a boat. By the time they alighted from the elevator, Vivi’s head was spinning trying to take it all in.

  The elevator doors opened to a view of the ocean directly in front of her.

  “Here we are at your suite. I hope this is to your satisfaction, Miss Bloom.” Roland stepped back, allowing Vivi to precede him through the opened door and into the suite.

  “Holy crap,” the words slipped out before Vivi had a chance to stifle them. “Sorry, Roland.”

  The man merely smiled and deposited her luggage inside the door. “No worries, Miss. I’ve been tempted to say worse on more than one occasion myself. The first look at the yacht and its amenities does tend to take one’s breath away.”

  Vivi laughed at his comment. “I don’t know how anyone ever gets used to something like this. It’s like being on a permanent vacation where all you have to do is show up.”

  “I trust the stateroom suite is to your liking then?” Roland inquired, another smile crossing his face.

  Vivi looked around the room once more. The king sized bed faced a wall of windows that at present were open to the sunshine, the breeze and its own private deck, complete with lounge chairs and a Jacuzzi.

  You wouldn’t even have to get out of bed in the morning to see the ocean. Just lift your head a few inches and there it was in all its brilliant blue glory.

  Roland picked up a remote off the end table. “And with this remote you can open and close the curtains. This button will control the music. And this one is for the television.”

  As Vivi watched in surprise, the top of a wooden cabinet at the foot of the bed opened and a television set rose up to viewing height.

  “Is there a button that allows someone to go to the bathroom for me so I never have to get out of bed?” she asked with a laugh.

  “I’m afraid we haven’t been able to get that to work just yet. But hopefully soon,” Roland retorted.

  “This is perfect. I’m going to love spending my days and nights here, Roland. Thank you for showing me everything.”

  “You’re most welcome, Miss Bloom. When you’re ready, please come topside. I’ll be serving appetizers and cocktails. Take your time though, there’s no rush. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see our other guests settled.”

  Vivi watched him walk out the door and close it behind him. If Jeff and John’s rooms were anything like this, they’d be hard pressed to want to leave them.

  She kicked off her shoes and flopped down on the bed. This was something she could seriously get used to. Grabbing the remote, Vivi pressed the top button and watched the curtains open and close a few times. She giggled, and then hit the next button and the soft strains of country music flooded the room. The next button was for the television and Vivi watched it rise from the cabinet, then disappear back down once more.

  Who’d have thought a girl from the wrong side of the tracks
would end up here? From wearing hand me downs and cast-off clothing to touting the latest fashions from the industries top designers – it was a lifestyle change of massive proportions. And Vivi was bound and determined never to end up back in the throes of her old life.

  Even in her wildest dreams and most incredible fantasies Vivi never thought her life would turn out this way. She was doing something she loved and getting paid to travel all over the world in return.

  Rolling to her side, Vivi stared out at the ocean. Maybe she’d just lie here and rest for a few minutes. Then she’d go join the others on deck. She closed her eyes and thought about the text message she’d send her friends later on, enlightening them to all the fun things she’d encountered, and it was only her first day on the job.

  Roland stood beside the dining table, set up on the terrace for dinner.

  “I apologize, but Mr. Santori will not be joining us this evening. He’s been delayed even longer, I’m afraid. He sends his apologies and asks that everyone enjoy themselves in his absence.”

  Vivi put down her fork and then lifted the glass of white wine to her lips and took a sip. Another delay. She wondered if this was standard operating procedure for the man. Well, it certainly wasn’t a problem for her. She was enjoying every minute of her time on the yacht.

  “We will be pulling away from the dock momentarily, so please be advised you might feel a bit unsteady if you’re not accustomed to sailing. But it will pass. And for those it doesn’t, I have medication if needed. We’ll rendezvous with Mr. Santori tomorrow,” Roland finished.

  Vivi wasn’t sure if she was prone to seasickness or not, and hated the thought that it might all be ruined by a bout of nausea. The only real boat rides she’d ever been on were rowboats at Houghton Lake and the swan ride at Cedar Point. Well, she’d find out soon enough how her stomach fared.

  The next afternoon, Vivi wandered around the yacht, peeking into rooms with opened doors and trying to get her bearings.

  Making her way to the third floor terrace, she joined Jeff and John, who were enjoying the afternoon sun.