“Jesus, he is so rich,” I sputtered. Laughter filled my ears and I looked up to see Avery’s tall form guiding the wheel. He was talking on the radio to someone. When he finished, he scanned ahead then turned to find me. His eyes lit up when he found mine. “And he can pilot his own yacht,” I swooned.
Pierce moved down the rail toward me and bumped my shoulder. He wore dark grey shorts and a white polo shirt. His highlighted hair was windblown and his blue eyes were filled with vagary. As I took a sip of my wine, Pierce spoke.
“Get used to it, sis,” he quipped. My eyes broadened and I forced the wine down my throat, thankful that I didn’t choke.
“Two days ago on the plane, you wanted to kiss me,” I replied.
“What? Too soon?” he asked.
“Pierce, quit teasing her,” Sara interceded.
Colt wrapped his arm around Sara and held her to his side. Colt wore white knee-length shorts and a red button up shirt and brown leather sandals. His face was red from the sun he got today.
I took a large gulp of my wine.
“I hate to be the one to break it to you. He brought you here to paradise and is sharing this with you and your friends, so I think its safe to say he’s keeping you. You’re it for him,” Pierce said.
“But the prize was for whoever won the Camp Jameson Olympics. Wouldn’t he have brought whoever won?”
“He didn’t tell you any of this?” Pierce asked.
I shook my head. Pierce ran his fingers over the perspiration on his glass. His blue eyes pierced through me like he could read my soul. I shifted nervously.
“His original plan was to have dinner with the winner and me both accompanying him. It was going to be strictly business for him but everything changed when he met you.” Pierce smiled then took a sip of wine. “And when he saw how athletic you were, hoping you won the contest was all that he could talk about. I was a little worried about the Sybian contest, but I knew you’d win it…for him.”
I stood gaping. I had never had anyone make me feel that special.
Without saying a word, I turned and walked up the steps toward Avery. He was my little piece of heaven right here on earth. I stepped into the pilothouse and Avery held open his arms for me. I slipped into them and held him tight. We were a perfect fit.
A couple crewmen including Captain Morgan…yes I know, his name was actually Captain Morgan, how funny was that…were up there with us, but it felt like we were the only two people on earth. This was our moment.
“What are you thinking?” Avery asked. That the Captain’s name is Morgan.
“I…uh...was just wondering how you know how to steer a boat?” I said, recovering from my stutter.
“This is my first time,” Avery said.
“How come you don’t just let the Captain steer so you can hang out with us?”
Avery shrugged. “I just wanted to get a feel for it,” he replied distantly.
“Can I steer?”
“Ummm…no, and I’m not steering the boat, I’m piloting the yacht,” he smiled back at me.
“Uh huh, I’ve heard that before,” I said playfully as I smiled back at him. “This just all feels so surreal. You’re spoiling me,” I continued.
Avery relaxed some then spoke. “Get used to it, Kitten,” he said, pulling me closer.
I breathed in his sweet sandalwood cologne. I was so grateful to have him in my life. The intensity of my feelings for him was a little overwhelming but I buried that deep inside for me to deal with another time.
The ride around the coast and through the bay was smooth as if an angel had stilled the water beneath us. The island moved closer just as if someone with an invisible outstretched hand was pulling it toward us. The sun was setting, casting its waning tangerine halo over the water. It was so romantic, a truly mystical moment that meant everything to me. A moment that cast no shadow of doubt; no missed fraction of splintered happiness, it was clean and pure, and it was mine…all mine.
As we neared the marina, the Captain chatted on the radio for instructions. Avery carefully maneuvered the yacht and slowly turned us 360 degrees then backed us slowly into its dock where a short man with a dark tan and ebony hair waved to us. He waited on the edge of the pier to moor the vessel in place with the aid of the rest of the crew.
Captain Morgan was noticeably perspiring as Avery slowed the boat to a crawl and docked the vessel. The Captain’s knuckles were white as bone as he gripped the radio microphone ever present to call mayday if Avery smashed us into another one of the yachts while trying to dock us.
When it was over, Avery thanked the Captain then turned over the rest of the mooring duties to him and his crew as we made our way out of the pilothouse and disembarked.
Avery stepped off the Whiskey Girl and shook hands with the island man he called Kale. Avery looked genuinely pleased to see him.
Kale led the way across the marina, then toward an outdoor feast at a restaurant named Peak.
A tropical version of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ rang through the speakers, played by a short, heavy island man with a ukulele. His grass skirt danced in the breeze as he stood on a tiny stage near the courtyard. When we passed by him, the gentle breeze lifted his skirt and we were all treated to the unexpected sight of his uncovered nether region.
Sara looked over at me and we both burst out laughing, but to his credit, he seemed rather content to be going commando.
Both Avery and Colt flashed us a not now look, and quickly pulled us toward the bar.
We followed a series of tiny lanterns that lit our path to the dance floor and I found that my smile grew exponentially.
Night had fallen, the drinks were flowing, and we all danced in the little outdoor cabana. Steel drums, belly dancers, and batons of fire were carrying the ambiance of the night.
Somehow, Pierce had found the only single girl in the place. She was from the island and he’d been plastered to her on the dance floor for the last half hour.
I swore I saw the dark-haired beauty run her fingers below the waistband of Pierce’s shorts, because he shivered, then pulled her closer and kissed her senseless.
Sweat trickled over my brow. Even with the sun descended, the air was thick and heavy. I glided back and forth slowly, with my back to Avery as he skimmed his hands down my sides and across my tummy.
His muscular body rippled under my touch as he moved like sin grinding into me. I couldn’t hold back my smile remembering how last night he took me like this from behind and I quickly learned that this was one of Avery’s favorite positions. I could stay here in his arms forever.
“Let’s get a table, we’re starving,” Colt said, breaking our erotic dance. Ugh…really?
Avery nodded, and then led me away from the dance floor toward the hostess. Her nametag read Jenna.
Jenna greeted us with a smile then quickly showed us to our table and passed out menus as we got seated. She didn’t look like she was a native of Hawaii. She was more Midwestern. She had a nice tan but her perky breasts screamed ‘Hello world, come fondle me!’
She immediately took to Avery and melted in front of his eyes.
“Mr. Jameson, my manager said you’re to have our best server. He reserved this table especially for your party,” Jenna said.
“Please call me Avery,” he said sitting down. Avery seemed to know her. I wonder just how well.
I mentally shook myself and tried to remember Avery came here every year. He and Pierce seemed to know everyone that worked around here. After all, this was Avery’s favorite restaurant in Maui.
“That’s right, Jenna. He gets my best server,” a meek voice rose from behind her. “Mr. Jameson, welcome back,” the island man said, stepping up beside her.
“Ailani!” Avery exclaimed and rose to give him a hug. “It’s great to see you. I would like to introduce you to everyone. This is my girlfriend, Aria. These are our friends, Sara and Colt. You know Pierce and this is…” Avery paused not knowing her name.
“Lucy,” Pierce spoke up.
“Welcome, everyone. I’m so glad to see Mr. Jameson with such a large group of friends, and you, Mr. Pierce. It’s great to see you again. I see you’re enjoying the scenery, as always.”
Pierce laughed while he shook Ailani’s hand then settled back into his chair. Ailani moved over to the side to greet another table.
Our laughter carried out amongst the other dinner guests as we settled into our table.
We were all starving as we intently stared into our menus.
Avery was tracing little circles up my inner thigh just shy of the seam of my dress. He made his way under it, and then spread his palm over the top of my thigh. Avery always maneuvered so he was touching me in some way, like he was afraid I would disappear if I got too far away from him.
My heart swelled knowing how much he needed me. Suddenly, Avery’s hand tightened over my thigh, causing me to wince.
“What can I get you guys to drink,” the waiter asked.
My eyes flattened into the menu at the sound of his voice. It couldn’t be…it just couldn’t be.
I turned my face upward; catching the stunned stares of everyone at the table, except for Lucy who was quite oblivious in her own little happy world.
I glared up at the one person who should not be here. The one treacherous person that still echoes through my mind and wisps my happiness into the underworld.
“Nate!” I seethed.
∞
CHAPTER 3
BAD MOON RISING
Tuesday Evening, Aug 14 - Day Two of the
Winner’s Trip to Maui
“What the hell are you doing here, Gregor?” Avery seethed.
“Why, I’m simply here to take your drink order, sir. I thought the hostess may have mentioned that,” Nate said politely through his smile…that cocky smile.
“We’ll take two Coronas with a lime,” Lucy interrupted cheerily.
“Are you stalking us, dude?” Avery said as he started to rise out of his seat before I grabbed his thigh and anchored him.
Both Colt and Pierce were on edge, ready to intercede and stop Avery from tearing Nate apart.
Nate continued to smile slyly and only looked at me. “As I said, I’m just here to take your drink order. It’s only a coincidence that we’re both out here. I decided I needed to get away for a while after I left camp, and somehow I ended up here. Go figure. Now, what may I get you this evening?” he said politely, yet with a discernable amount of contempt.
“Make that six Coronas,” Avery said in a terse tone. “And don’t open them until you serve them to us.”
Nate nodded. “As you wish, sir,” he said, and then turned happily toward the bar like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Avery’s eyes followed him as if he were a Jaguar stalking an innocent gazelle just before ripping it to shreds.
“Please,” I whispered to Avery, trying to rid the tension that was invading the room like King Alaric and the Visigoths invaded Rome.
He looked me over trying to read me. My eyes begged him to let it go. I just wanted a drama free vacation with my hot boyfriend. Was that too much to ask?
Avery pulled his lips into a straight line like he always did when he didn’t approve of something.
I lifted my hand and brushed the back of my fingers over his cheek, feeling the stubble from his five o’clock shadow. “Avery, please. Just let it go,” I begged again.
His eyes softened as my plea found reason in his ears. He smiled softly to me then lowered my hand from his face and kissed the back of it, mimicking Mr. Darcy from a Jane Austen novel.
“On one condition,” he said in his serious voice. “Don’t go anywhere without taking me or Sara with you. I don’t want you left alone for one second with him around.”
“I promise,” I replied. Avery finally relaxed…a little.
We sat steadfast as Nate returned with our drinks and a bottle opener and he proceeded to open each bottle in front of us very carefully. He did seem to be an outstanding server and if he was nervous, he was hiding it well. He wore such a polite grin that I truly believed none of this bothered him. It was almost as if Avery hadn’t kicked him out of Camp Jameson because he tried to sexually assault me. If Avery hadn’t come into that bedroom when he did, who knows what he would have done to me.
I quickly snapped out of my lament, shook off the thoughts of that night, and told myself that it was all in the past. However I felt about him, I had to admit that Nate was extremely attentive to us and took our orders diligently.
“Since we are eating out tonight,” Pierce teased eyeing me directly, “I’ll have the Mahi-Mahi.”
I groaned as everyone laughed. I was sure they would tease me mercilessly from now until doomsday, or whenever Law and Order finally went off the air, whichever came first.
Nate’s eyes landed on mine and I held his gaze. I wanted to do so many things to him in that moment. But mostly, I just wanted to kick him in the nuts for trying to force himself on me back at Jameson.
“What can I get you, Aria,” Nate said interrupting my thoughts.
I ordered a cheeseburger and fries. Everyone else ordered steak and lobster.
The night continued on with its magical allure in spite of dickhead… I mean, Nate being here.
I listened to Colt and Pierce banter to each other about who was going to win the Browns – Steelers game this year. Football season was almost here. Where did the summer go?
We mostly ignored Nate while he brought out the dinner rolls and our salads then moved back to the kitchen.
Sara didn’t miss a beat and began telling Avery and me about her plans for her fashion show this fall and I took in the ambiance of the Hawaiian paradise all around me.
Avery’s phone rang and he looked at his screen. I saw him glance over at Pierce then he stood.
“I have to take this. Excuse me,” he said then stepped to the far side of the restaurant. He spoke for a few minutes then returned to the table. Pierce looked at him questionably.
“Dorian’s Management?” Pierce asked.
“Yea,” Avery mumbled hesitantly, taking his seat.
“Dorian? So the rumor is true?” Colt asked.
Avery let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s true. He’ll be staying at Paramore this fall. He just confirmed it. His agent and his publicist is all freaked out that Hollywood’s biggest star will be staying at camp. They’ve been a real pain in the ass when it comes to security.”
“Dorian Macallan is coming to Paramore?” Sara asked excitedly.
“You’re drooling,” Colt teased, echoing Sara’s words from earlier. Sara elbowed him and waited for Avery to confirm it again.
“Dorian Macallan? I’m not really a fan of his movies. But I did read on Peres Hazelton that his production company was going to start writing and producing their own material. Something exotic...by the way…what’s Paramore?” I asked.
“Camp Paramore. It’s right next door to Camp Jameson.” I looked at him questionably.
“Here are your drinks, sir,” Nate said as he put another round down on the table.
Every time he showed up, the conversation slowed down, and the tension exploded while he opened each bottle. Avery waited for him to leave, then spoke.
“Do you remember the small dirt road with all the “Keep Out” signs that you pass on the way to the horse stables?” I nodded. “That’s the private drive to Paramore,” Avery said.
“I guess…I…wait…you have a whole other camp?” Avery was always full of surprises.
“Excuse me, Mr. Jameson, this is for your party, compliments of the manager,” Nate said as he set two bottles of a Chilean Cabernet on the table along with several wine glasses.
Once again, we stopped our conversation cold.
“If my memory serves me right, this was Aria’s favorite,” Nate gloated as he opened the first bottle and filled each of the glasses and set them in front of us.
I frowned and looked at Sara. S
he shook her head gently and I remained still. I wasn’t going to let him ruin my celebratory night with my friends.
Finally, Nate nodded to Avery and made his way to the other side of the restaurant.
“Tell me about Camp Paramore?” I asked as I glanced around our table verifying that Lucy and I were the only two clueless about Paramore…and I wasn’t sure Lucy was even here with us or if she was off on another planet.
“It’s my private camp for the ultra famous and mega rich. Our VIP list includes rock stars, movie stars, royalty, and celebrities of all types. Paramore caters to the sexual needs of the one percent. It’s a sexual safe haven where the rich and famous can come and have their sexual fantasies fulfilled while respectfully staying out of the public eye.”
He continued, “Let’s say there is a big movie star that would prefer to keep their sexual preferences a secret. But that movie star would like to be able to walk around freely and take part in a Roman orgy. At Camp Paramore, they can be free to live out their sexual fantasies. I provide a safe environment where the paparazzi can’t get to them. Whatever happens at Paramore stays at Paramore. It’s the perfect escape from reality for everyone, and like Jameson there is a whole host of themes and fetishes we provide to our clients.” He winked as a devilish grin spread over his face.
“How many celebrities do you have staying there?” I asked.
“It depends, somewhere between fifty and one hundred depending on the party. Camp Paramore entertains mostly in the autumn and spring. It’s not active when Jameson is in session,” Avery added.
“So why is it so important that Dorian comes to Paramore?” I asked.
“With his endorsement and his production company behind us, I will be able to expand internationally. He would become the face of Jameson International. Think of it, sexual exploration camps catering to exclusive clientele located in twenty-seven countries all over the world called Jameson Resorts. It’s a multi-billion dollar deal,” Avery said.
“So, everything’s riding on his experience at Paramore?” Sara asked.
“Yes, and he’s not the easiest person to please. We’ll be working out the details over the next couple weeks.”
Camp Paramore Page 3
