Charlotte had gone into the living room and was tugging a chair in. She sat by the bed, resting her feet on the mattress. “Plus, tonight is the monthly Saturday pool party,” Charlotte added. “You guys have to come. We want to have dinner on the yacht first. Antonio is already arranging it. He’s having the restaurant cater some specialty items for us and deliver them piping hot, and that man gets what he wants. Then it’s pool party time. You can’t miss it. It’s the bomb.”

“What happens at the pool party?” Pete asked, pulling Emma into his arms as he reclined against the headboard. She snuggled in, loving the attention.

“Don’t you guys read the fine print? What doesn’t happen at Pool Party Saturday?” Mallory said. “It’s a free-for-all, and it’s my favorite night to be here. They don’t schedule many activities, but this one happens on the second Saturday of every month, rain or shine. They do it up. They bring in a DJ, string up more lights, and host a full bar at the pool’s edge. There’s a lot of drinking and a lot of fucking to be had by all. It’s a great time. It’s one of the only times almost everyone shows up.”

“And if it makes you feel any better, Antonio is totally repentant,” Charlotte said. “In fact, it’s been awesome for me, since I’m back to being his number one fuck buddy. He really wants you guys to join us tonight. He told us to tell you he admires Pete’s gumption—his word, not mine—and would hire him at his company in a heartbeat. He also said to tell Emma that she’s breathtakingly beautiful, but he will respect both your wishes to keep his dick out of it. Of course, if those wishes should ever change, and Emma wants to have sex, he’s open to that as well,” Charlotte chortled. “Leave it to the Cuban to keep all avenues open. I have to say, that man loves the chase. But once you’re caught, it gets stale fast, so in my opinion you dodged a bullet.”

Emma glanced up at Pete to gauge his reaction. “It’s up to you,” she told him. “I can go either way.”

“A catered dinner on the yacht is a hard invitation to pass up,” Pete said. “And the pool party sounds intriguing, so I say we go.”

“You heard the man,” Emma said to the girls. “What time should we be ready?”

“We’re going to meet at the marina at seven,” Mallory said, pulling herself off the bed dramatically, arching her back, yawning, raising her arms above her head. “We’re going to head out now and let you guys get back to your regularly scheduled romp. Unless, of course, you want company?” She looked hopeful. “Then, by all means, we’ll stay.”

Emma chuckled. “We’re not ready for company yet,” she informed the supermodel. It was hard to believe Emma was going to turn this beauty away. “But we’ll keep you posted. Who knows what the night will bring?”

“I like the sound of that,” Mallory said as she stood and turned toward the door. “Come on, Char. Let’s hit the beach bar and liquor up. I saw the cute new guy head in that direction a little while ago.”

Charlotte got up and followed her out. “That guy wasn’t a guest. He was a new staff member, and he was going to his new position as bartender.”

“Whatever,” Mallory said, flicking her arm behind her. “If he’s single and wants to fuck me, who am I to turn him away?”

Charlotte shook her head. “You are the horniest girl I’ve ever met. Are you sure you’re not a guy?”

They continued their banter as they left the villa.

Emma snuggled into Pete more, basking in contentment. “Are you sure you want to go on Antonio’s boat?” she asked, drawing a circle around his belly button. “We can still do the party and not eat on the boat.”

Pete shrugged. “It’s fine. He’s not a bad guy, and he has great taste in women. If this were a regular resort, I would’ve laid him out. But this is a resort where that kind of behavior is expected, to a degree. I can only fault him to a point. Plus, it’s a free dinner on a yacht. I’m not going to complain.”

“What do you think the pool party will be like? We should probably talk about our expectations before we go.” Emma was a little hesitant about attending. She didn’t want to take a step backward when they’d had three perfect days together. “I’m not sure we’re ready to jump back into the lifestyle full force.”

“How about we decide that tonight is going to be about us and our pleasure, and leave it at that?”

“Sounds perfect to me.”

21

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“The food here is to die for,” Emma announced to the table. “I never want to leave. When we get back home, it will feel hollow and cold, I know it will.” She popped another delicious shrimp into her mouth. The yacht was anchored fairly close to shore, bobbing on small waves.

The sun was going to set very soon.

“They do everything perfectly right here,” Antonio agreed. “I’ve tried to inquire about becoming a partner, but they shut me out every time. There’s no interest. It’s a family-run business. But they have all this acreage.” He gestured to shore. “They could expand and make a lot more money.”

“Maybe for once it’s not about the money,” Mallory said. “Maybe they just enjoy living here, and that’s enough. I think it’s very American to want more, more, more. We can’t seem to get enough of anything. We want more money, sex, power, fame, you name it. It’s tiring as hell. I envy them for this island and the simple life.”

Charlotte nodded her agreement.

The girls were all dressed casually in sundresses, the guys in linen pants and T-shirts. It felt like a normal night out, and Emma was enjoying it immensely. “I totally agree with Mallory,” Emma commented. “We are a society of we-can’t-possibly-get-enough, and I love that this resort is so small. It feels intimate. If it was any bigger, it would feel like a commercial spot.”

“Maybe so,” Antonio said, “but I can tell you there’s more island this resort can utilize without taking away its integrity. Have you guys explored the beaches around the island?” He addressed Pete and Emma specifically.

“No,” Emma answered sheepishly, “but we plan to. I’ve only been out on a few runs, but I think we’ll ride the bikes tomorrow.”

“If you head toward the opposite end, on the resort side, you’ll come to this beautiful horseshoe beach. They could build a few villas over there for folks who really wanted to be secluded, like us”—he gestured around the table—“who like to vacation together, but would like it to be exclusive.”

Mallory snorted. “I do agree with that. I’d book out a private beach just for me and my crew.”

“See, that’s what I’m talking about.” Antonio nodded. “I’m going to leave them my info again, along with a proposal before we go. Why not? It’s a missed opportunity.”

“When are you guys leaving?” Emma asked Antonio. “Mallory leaves tomorrow. Are you guys staying a full week?”

“No, we’re leaving day after tomorrow. We’re taking the yacht to another island before we fly out,” Antonio answered. “You guys are welcome to join us if you’d like.” He smiled.

“That’s a nice offer,” Pete replied. “But we’re enjoying the villa and the island. Emma and I will likely stay holed up for the rest of our vacation, only venturing out when we have to.”

Emma added, “We love not doing anything or having to be anywhere. The last three days have been heaven. I’ve read an entire book already! It would normally take me weeks to finish because I’m always so busy and worn out after a long workweek. We also have no desire to meet up with the Cheris and Harrys of the resort. You guys are an exception, not the norm.”

“Yes,” Charlotte agreed. “There’s a mixed bag here for sure. But there are some normal couples, as you’ll see tonight. They keep to themselves, or only meet up for small gatherings. The pool party is where the real fun is. People tend to come out of their shells. I mean, why spend all the cashola if you can’t indulge once in a while?”