The Power Trip

‘Dead sexy,’ he managed. ‘Let’s put it this way, toots. You an’ I are gonna rock the boat from stem to stern. Be prepared.’

She smiled, glanced down and noticed the erection growing in his pants.

Taye was so damn randy, and he was all hers.

* * *

In the large black SUV on their way to the airport, Lori was on her best behaviour. Cliff was thinking of dumping her, and she was having none of it. She was determined to make him see the error of his ways. A perfect blow-job in the car while he was driving was merely the beginning of all the exciting things she had in store for him. Their sex-life was about to heat up. On their upcoming trip she had plans to take it to an entirely new level.

Yes, Cliff Baxter was about to see a whole other side of her. By the time she was finished with him, he’d be begging her to stay.

* * *

Cabo San Lucas was at its glorious shimmering best. The sun was shining, palm trees swaying, a vacation atmosphere prevailed.

Luca and Jeromy were staying overnight with the Luttmans, acquaintances who owned a magnificent villa overlooking the bay. The Luttmans were a New York power couple whom they’d met on the social circuit several times, and Jeromy had been desperately trying to cultivate them. So when the yacht trip had come about, Jeromy had quickly discovered the Luttmans would be in residence at their vacation home, and he’d suggested to Luca that they might stay the night. Luca had agreed, and the Luttmans had been thrilled to say yes.

Lanita Luttman, a former showgirl, jewelry designer and well-known lesbian, was a true social butterfly. And her husband, Sydney, an absurdly rich investment banker and well-known homosexual, couldn’t have been happier to welcome Luca and his English partner into their home.

A uniformed driver and two eager assistants met Luca and Jeromy at the airport and whisked them to the gated villa where Lanita waited to greet them wearing a flowing purple caftan and multiple strands of long diamond necklaces. A flamboyant woman, she had dyed black hair, turquoise contact lenses, and was decidedly overweight.

Servants abounded. Lanita snapped her fingers and trays of canapes and Bellinis appeared in the hands of ridiculously handsome young waiters clad in tight shorts, with only colourful braces covering their well-defined abs and chests.

Jeromy was in heaven. He glanced around and wished that they were spending more than one night here; he could soon get very used to this kind of life.

Luca was already admiring Lanita’s array of sparkling necklaces, while various maids and housekeepers peered from the windows and behind the bushes, desperate to get a peek at their idol — the fabulous Luca Perez.

Ah… so gorgeous, so blond — and what a voice! They were all in a state of hero-worship.

Meanwhile Jeromy was in his element. Who would have thought that his life would have taken such an amazing turn? The London gays in high places had written him off when he’d turned forty and didn’t have a permanent boyfriend, let alone a successful business. However, since hooking up with Luca, and bringing Ashley in, he’d managed to achieve it all. With Luca’s backing and connections and Taye’s investment, his design business had taken off, and now here he was in Cabo San Lucas with one of the richest couples in America, about to set off on an exclusive trip with a Russian oligarch and his super-model girlfriend.

Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.

* * *

Hammond climbed into the marital bed stinking of sex.

Sierra cowed on her side of the bed pretending to be asleep. The bastard hadn’t even bothered to wash the smell of another woman off his body.

Sierra continued to wonder how she’d allowed herself to sink to such a low point in her life.

Because of Hammond’s diabolical threats, that’s how. Threats she had no doubt he would manage — somehow or other — to carry out.

You have to get out of this marriage! a voice screamed in her head.

I can’t, another voice replied. I don’t have the courage.

Once she would have fought back, stood up for herself. Only now she couldn’t summon the strength. Playing along was the only way to go.

She closed her eyes tightly shut and prayed for oblivion.

This was her life, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Chapter Thirty-Four

As Flynn and Xuan entered the spacious lobby of the Plaza Athenee Hotel, Aleksandr rose to his feet and enveloped Flynn in a hearty bear hug. ‘It is great to see you, my friend,’ he said warmly. ‘It has been far too long. I have missed your company.’

Flynn extracted himself and introduced Xuan. Aleksandr gave her an appraising once-over and nodded approvingly. ‘You have done well,’ he said.

Flynn realized that he had probably failed to make it clear that he and Xuan were not a couple, merely platonic friends.

Hmm… he’d have to deal with that.

Xuan proffered her hand, gave Aleksandr a firm handshake and a steady gaze. ‘I have heard much about you,’ she said briskly. ‘And your lady too. Where is she?’

Nothing like getting straight to the point, Flynn thought. But he had to admit he’d been thinking the same thing. Aleksandr appeared to be by himself, apart from a burly bodyguard hovering a few feet away. Where was the extraordinary Bianca?

‘My lady is waiting for us on my plane,’ Aleksandr said. ‘She did not feel like coming into the city.’

He omitted to mention that Bianca had refused to accompany him. She was in full sulk and had locked herself in the bedroom on the plane, much to Aleksandr’s chagrin. He was hoping that by the time they got back she would have had time to think things through and realize that he was right.

‘It’s great to see you too,’ Flynn said. ‘Quite a surprise hearing from you, though I can assure you it was a welcome one. Your timing was right on — I needed a break.’

‘Sit,’ Aleksandr said, indicating a comfortable banquette. ‘We take tea before we return to the plane.’

‘How very civilized,’ Xuan murmured, sitting down. Aleksandr sat himself beside her, while Flynn settled on an upholstered chair opposite them.

‘Tell me, Mr Kasianenko,’ Xuan said, ‘do you use your plane for humanitarian efforts, or is it merely for your own convenience?’

Aleksandr gave her a long penetrating stare. ‘So personal, so soon,’ he said at last, sounding vaguely amused. ‘Please, do call me Aleksandr, there is no need to be so formal.’

‘Aleksandr it is,’ Xuan said, twisting a thin gold bangle on her delicate wrist. ‘You haven’t answered my question.’

Oh shit, Flynn thought. She’s determined to score points and she’s doing it with the wrong guy.

But Aleksandr didn’t seem to mind. ‘You tell me about your humanitarian efforts, and I’ll tell you about mine,’ he said, still sounding amused.

Flynn quickly interjected. ‘Let’s get into it later,’ he said, determined to avert trouble, because once Xuan got going she really got going. ‘I’ve heard a rumour you’re in talks to buy an English football team,’ he continued. ‘Now that’s what I’m interested in hearing. Want to tell me all about it?’

* * *