The Power Trip

Lady?’

First Lady indeed. Sierra swallowed hard. Thank God for the two Xanax she’d managed to take before leaving their cabin. The drugs had dulled her senses, leaving her in a dreamy state. Still, at the thought of sitting next to Flynn she felt her heart accelerate and a sweep of total panic overcame her.

Stay calm, a voice screamed in her head. Do not lose control. You can do it.

Can I?

Can I?

Yes, you can.

* * *

Jeromy shot Lori a patronizing look. Why did he have to get seated next to the only nonentity on the boat? Would he be forced to talk to her? A word or two simply to be polite, after that she was on her own.

‘How are you, dear?’ he sniffed.

‘I’m fine,’ Lori replied, thinking that it was just her luck to get stuck with Luca’s uptight English boyfriend. ‘And you?’

‘Perfect.’

‘Lucky you,’ she drawled, aware that he was as unthrilled to be sitting next to her as she was to him.

‘Excuse me?’ Jeromy said, not appreciating her tone.

‘Well… “perfect” kind of says it all.’

Jeromy’s back stiffened. Was this girl trying to wind him up? Big mistake if she was.

* * *

‘I was hoping I’d get next to you,’ Ashley said, leaning into Cliff as she took her seat beside him.

‘You were?’ Cliff said, taking in her curvy blondness. ‘In that case, I’ll try my best not to disappoint.’

‘Oh, you don’t have to try,’ Ashley said, fluttering her fake lashes. ‘Just looking at you is enough for me.’

Shit! Cliff sighed. A boatload of interesting people, and I get the starry-eyed fan.

‘I’ve seen all your movies,’ Ashley continued, twirling a strand of her long blond hair through her fingers. ‘My mum used to take me when I was little. She had a huge crush on you.’

‘Did she now?’

‘And even though I was only ten, I did too,’ Ashley admitted coyly.

‘That’s flattering,’ Cliff said smoothly.

‘I still do,’ Ashley said, adding a quick, ‘only don’t tell my husband, he’s dead jealous.’

Fuck! Cliff thought. Where’s Lori when I need her?

* * *

Glancing down the table, Aleksandr was pleased to see his guests having an engaging time. The first course, a lobster and crab salad, was being served, and the finest of wines were flowing. He stared at Bianca seated at the other end of the table. She looked so staggeringly beautiful, her dark skin gleaming in the flickering candlelight, her green eyes flashing as she spoke with Flynn.

Aleksandr was satisfied that he had captured a prize worth having. Bianca might be famous, but she was all his, and being with her was worth all the drama his wife was busy creating. Soon he would be free of Rushana, and then Bianca would be totally his.

Watching her, he suddenly experienced a strong surge of sexual desire. Xuan was seated on his left, Hammond Patterson on his right; they were having a spirited conversation across him.

Aleksandr moved his chair aside and stood up. ‘Excuse me for a few moments,’ he said. ‘I’ll be right back.’ He headed straight for Bianca. ‘I need to show you something,’ he said, leaning down and whispering in her ear.

‘What?’ she responded.

‘I need to show you now.’

‘Now?’ Bianca said, somewhat bemused.

‘Now,’ Aleksandr stated firmly.

Bianca rose from the table. ‘Two minutes,’ she said to her guests.

Aleksandr took her hand and led her along the side of the yacht to where it was dark and deserted — the only sound was the sea lapping against the stern.

‘Tell me,’ Bianca said. ‘Is something the matter?’

‘Not unless you consider this something,’ Aleksandr said, jamming her hand against the bulge in his pants.

Bianca gave a low throaty chuckle. ‘Oh my!’ she sighed, getting excited at the thought of what was to come. ‘You’re kidding? In the middle of dinner?’

‘Are you wearing panties?’

‘As if I could in this dress…’

Aleksandr hurriedly unzipped, grunted and grabbed the front of her thighs, pushing her dress up high.

She leaned back against the boat railings and lifted her long slender legs, enclosing them tightly around his waist.

Without hesitation he plunged deeply inside her, and after several vigorous thrusts he was done.

‘Wow!’ Bianca exclaimed as they disengaged. ‘What’s up with you?’

‘You didn’t like it?’

‘Oh, you know I liked it.’

‘I will not neglect you,’ Aleksandr promised, his voice a deep dark whisper. ‘Later I will suck your pussy like it’s never been sucked before. Only right now, my dear, we have guests to attend to.’

‘Yes, sir,’ Bianca said obediently, deciding that Aleksandr was the sexiest man she’d ever encountered, and there had been many.

* * *

Sierra took a long deep breath. Even though they were sitting next to each other, she had not turned in Flynn’s direction, and he had not acknowledged her. However, with Bianca away from the table she felt forced to say something. After all, what had happened between them was old news, many years had passed, and Flynn had obviously never cared. It had all been a game to him. Just another conquest.

The thought occurred — maybe he didn’t even remember her?

She decided on a light approach. Let him see that the way he’d treated her had not affected her one little bit.

‘Flynn?’ she said. Keep it light. Keep it casual. ‘It is you, isn’t it?’

Chapter Forty-Four

The staff cabins on The Bianca were quite compact, with two bunk beds in each and a communal bathroom for every three cabins to share. There was no privacy as such, which pissed Mercedes off because she had things to do. She was sharing with the other stewardess, Renee, a tall Australian girl who had a dark-blond ponytail, long legs and horse teeth. Renee had only been on one cruise before. She’d gotten the job because her uncle had once played rugby with Guy, and her uncle had called in a favour.

‘You take the top bunk,’ Mercedes ordered when they’d first arrived.

Renee, a somewhat timid girl, bowed down to whatever Mercedes wanted.

This suited Mercedes fine. She liked taking the boss position, and it was good to know that Renee was no threat to what she had to accomplish. And what she had to accomplish was something she’d done many times before.

Seduce the enemy.