The Power Trip

‘Didja fancy him then?’ Taye asked, snuggling close to his wife on their British airways flight to L.A. where they were to make a connection to Cabo San Lucas.

‘Fancy who?’ questioned Ashley, all wide-eyed and giggly because she’d been taking full advantage of the free champagne.

‘You know who,’ Taye teased. ‘That American movie-star bloke.’

‘Dunno what you’re talkin’ about,’ Ashley said, letting forth a most unladylike hiccough.

‘Billy Melina.’

‘Oh him,’ Ashley said dismissively. ‘He’s not all that.’

‘Thought you fancied him.’

‘Not me,’ she said innocently.

‘Is that so?’

‘Yes, Taye,’ she said, fluffing out her blond curls. ‘He isn’t my type.’

‘Glad to hear it.’

‘Are you?’ she said coyly.

‘You bet your pretty little arse,’ Taye said, reaching over for a quick grope of her left breast, pleased to hear that she didn’t fancy the movie star. ‘Can’t wait to get you on the boat,’ he added. ‘We’re gonna have a fine old time.’

‘Stop feeling me up,’ she giggled. ‘Try to be patient for once.’

‘Can’t do it, toots, I’m too turned on.’

‘At least wait until the cabin lights are off,’ she insisted, impulsively running her hands over his shaved head, something she only did when she was feeling sexy.

Bloody Hell! Taye thought. It looked like little wifey was letting her guard down and he was about to get lucky.

Mile-high Club, here I come!

* * *

To Flynn’s surprise, Aleksandr and Xuan appeared to hit it off. Flynn had expected fireworks, but all he got was a heated discussion between the two of them about why politicians were not doing enough to end wars, world hunger, atrocities, inhumane treatment of prisoners and urban crime.

It turned out that Aleksandr was quite a do-gooder in his own way. He wasn’t a boastful man, but Xuan managed to pry all kinds of information out of him. She soon discovered that he supported several charitable institutions, that he’d financed a school for uneducated teenagers in the Ukraine, and that on occasion he did indeed use his plane to transport food and supplies to disaster areas.

Flynn had not been aware of any of this. It made him respect Aleksandr a hell of a lot more. The man wasn’t simply a rich tycoon looking to sleep with beautiful models and throw decadent parties. He was the real deal — a billionaire with a social conscience. Surprising. Refreshing.

Xuan had her own particular way of making people talk, and by the time they’d had tea in the lobby of the Plaza Athenee and then helicoptered to the airport, she and Aleksandr were carrying on like old friends.

Bianca — not so much. She greeted them with a frosty demeanour as they boarded the plane, practically ignoring Aleksandr when he attempted to give her a kiss. She hurriedly turned away from him, announced that she had a killer of a headache and flounced off into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

‘Sorry about that,’ Aleksandr said, obviously uncomfortable. ‘Bianca has been working too hard lately.’

‘Really?’ Xuan said with a sarcastic edge. ‘Posing for pretty photographs all day long must be extremely tiring.’

Flynn threw her a warning look, which she ignored. Xuan was not one to back down; like it or not she always said what was on her mind.

Aleksandr appeared unphased. He ordered shots of vodka and a large silver bowl piled high with caviar. ‘We shall drink,’ he announced. ‘And we shall eat. Bianca will feel better later. You will see.’

* * *

The studio corporate jet was luxurious by anyone’s standards. Cliff joked with the two attractive flight attendants, and even visited the pilots before take-off for a manly chat. Everyone loved Cliff Baxter, he was an American classic, handsome, smooth and a damn fine actor. His movies made billions worldwide and why not? He always gave his adoring public exactly what they wanted.

‘This is quite an adventure for you,’ he informed Lori as they settled into their seats. ‘One I hope you’ll always remember.’

You patronizing shit, she thought, remaining calm on the outside, furious on the inside. She knew exactly how Cliff wanted her to behave. He required her to be the grateful girlfriend who was so very lucky to be given the opportunity to go on such a fabulous trip with her famous movie-star boyfriend. Well, screw him. She could play the crap out of that role.

‘How could I not be excited?’ she said, all bright-eyed and eager, just the way he expected her to be. ‘Thank you so much, Cliff, for including me.’

‘That’s okay, sweetie,’ he said, nodding at her reassuringly. ‘You deserve it.’

I do? she was dying to say. How come? I thought you were preparing to dump me. Isn’t that the next item on your agenda?

But of course the dumping was to take place after the trip, after he’d used her as his sexual plaything and adorable arm-piece, after a week of sex Cliff Baxter-style.

Yes, Cliff was that most dangerous of men. An attractive, famous, charming, talented, rich user of women.

We’ll see, Mr Baxter, she thought. We’ll damn well see.

* * *

The Luttmans invited a dozen or so friends over to show off their famous star guest. Luca wasn’t too thrilled. He’d been looking forward to lying back and relaxing — not being put on display.

Jeromy was one happy camper. The more important people he met, the better for his design business. It seemed everyone had a second home in London, so what could be better? He flung himself into being socially adept, while Luca sat at a table surrounded by predatory, overly tanned, bored women, all married to incredibly rich men who were at least thirty years older than them, and all anxious to capture Luca’s full attention.

Jeromy glanced over. Foolish women. Didn’t they know Luca was gay? Didn’t they get it?

Apparently the message hadn’t reached them.

By the end of the evening Jeromy had acquired three new clients, and an offer for him and Luca to join Lanita and Sydney in their luxurious bedroom later that night.

Jeromy knew Luca would decline — however, there was nothing wrong with being curious. What did Lanita and Sydney have in mind?

Sex, of course. But what combination? And where did Lanita fit in?

As soon as Luca was asleep in the guest suite, Jeromy couldn’t resist; he took himself to the master bedroom where incense candles burned, and Sydney lay spread-eagled on the middle of the bed with a healthy Viagra-inspired erection and an even healthier gut, which Jeromy found quite exciting in a totally repulsive way.

Lanita was also present, clad head-to-toe in a Day-Glo purple latex body suit, welding a lethal whip with a sinister vampira mask covering her eyes. ‘Welcome,’ she purred. ‘Where is Luca?’

Naturally they wanted the star, who didn’t? Only tonight they’d have to make do with him.

Fortunately for them, he was far better at participating in games than Luca.

* * *

Nobody played a more beguiling man of the people than Senator Hammond Patterson. He had it down to a fine art. Smile at everyone, pose with their children, pick up babies, wave when it was appropriate, always appear amicable and approachable. He came across as idealistic and full of hope, when in point of fact he was rife with ambition and harboured a deceptive personality.

As Hammond’s closest personal aide, Eddie March had yet to discover the real man who lurked beneath the facade of decency and truth. All he saw was an upstanding man who always spoke up for what he believed in. A