King and I (Abducted 1)
e. The man Crystal had been making eyes with approached the table. He leaned over Crystal and murmured something in her ear. She chuckled, a deep throaty sound, and her lips curled up in a wicked smile. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor where he drew her into a close embrace. Her red strapless dress, with a light sprinkling of sequins, glittered in the low light. Aria quickly lost sight of them among the crowd of dancers.
Kate giggled. “Do you think she really means it? I mean, that she’d go to bed with two guys?”
“I’m sure it was just talk.” Eva’s gaze followed the couple across the dance floor as they came into view, wove past several couples, then disappeared into the crowd again.
“I don’t know. I think she’s up for anything,” Jenna piped in. “And more power to her.”
Crystal’s comment disturbed Aria, not because its bluntness had shocked her, but because she’d been thinking the same thing. Not about two men—she’d never do that—but the part about getting laid, as Crystal had put it. Over the past week the dreams had intensified and a yearning had been building within her. She wanted a man. Or rather, she wanted sex. Her insides were aching with need.
She had never experienced such a powerful hunger. To be in a man’s arms. To be possessed. To be cherished.
Maybe grabbing the first guy to show interest would be a good idea. Get laid, as Crystal had put it, and get past it. But something told her not just any guy would satisfy this need.
The song changed and, a moment later, Crystal returned to the table.
She wrapped her hands around her glass and stared into it.
“He was nice, but not exactly what I’m looking for.”
“And what are you looking for?” Kate asked.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll know it when I find it.” Crystal stabbed the cherry in her glass with the sharp end of the swizzle stick and brought it to her lips. She gently tugged it off with her teeth, then drew it into her mouth, closing her lips around it.
Jenna watched her with fascination, then nervously glanced down at her hands when she realized Aria had noticed. Did Jenna admire Crystal’s easy sensuality? Aria found herself wishing she could be as open as Crystal and ooze sexuality with such comfort.
“You know, I won this vacation in a contest.” Jenna twirled the tip of her finger around the rim of her glass
“Really? I did too,” Eva responded.
Kate’s eyes widened. “Me too.”
Crystal pointed a finger trimmed with a long, well-manicured red fingernail at Aria. “And you?”
Aria nodded.
“Same here.” Crystal sipped her drink.
“Omigod.” Kate giggled. “What a coincidence.”
“Not a coincidence, sweetie. They probably want to get a photo of all of us. You know, for marketing, yada yada yada.” Crystal rested her chin on her hands. “And we’ll probably have to sit through some long, boring pitch to buy a timeshare.”
“I don’t think so,” Aria chimed in. “We’re not exactly the demographic they’re looking for and—”
“Ladies, my name is Terrien. It’s time for the orientation.”
Aria turned her head to see a stunningly handsome man smiling at them with dazzling white teeth. Her breath caught in her lungs.
“Would you all come with me, please?” He drew back Kate’s chair.
Kate sent him a glowing smile and stood. “Lead on.”
Crystal leaned toward Aria and murmured, “I would absolutely come with him. Anywhere. Anytime.”
Aria giggled. She couldn’t help it. She’d had only two drinks, but they’d left her lightheaded. She and the others stood and followed Terrien. He led them out of the ballroom, then turned left.
“Aren’t the elevators the other way?” Jenna asked.
“The normal ones, yes,” Terrien answered, “but we’re taking the VIP elevator.”