The Power Trip

‘Then can I do it?’

‘I can’t give you an answer now. We’ll have to talk to my business manager an’ shit.’

‘But you’re sayin’ that you’ll think about it?’ she pressed.

‘Sure, toots.’

Ashley gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. ‘I have a feeling that Cliff Baxter fancies me,’ she said, preening.

‘Why wouldn’t he? You’re totally shaggable.’

‘You think?’ she said, going all coquettish on him.

‘You heard it here first.’

And yes, tonight he would get lucky, for Cliff Baxter had already done the groundwork for him.

Thanks, Mister Big Shot. I owe it all to you!

Chapter Forty-Six

Another spectacular morning. Clear blue skies, the Sea of Cortez calm and inviting, a light breeze wafting in the air.

Breakfast was laid out on the upper deck. Mercedes and Renee were standing by, ready to be of service. Den stood behind the bar, Mimosas at the ready.

Lori was the first up, leaving Cliff snoring in their room. The Sexiest Man Alive indeed. Surely they meant the Loudest Snorer Alive? Lori giggled to herself as she imagined the headline on the cover of People magazine. How many of Cliff’s adoring public would believe their icon was a major snorer? Not so many.

Lori remembered the first time she’d spent the night with Cliff. She’d been in shock at the noise he’d made. The sound emitting from his mouth was like a freight train rumbling through a station, in tandem with a snorting pig. And when she’d mentioned it to him, he’d casually said, ‘You don’t like the noise, stay out of the bedroom.’

So she’d purchased extra noise-blocking earplugs, and now she hardly noticed.

At this point in time she was filled with mixed emotions about Cliff. She resented the hell out of him for what he was about to do to her when they got back. On the other hand, she still had feelings for him. It was hard not to, because when he was nice, he was very, very nice. And there was no denying that they’d shared many wonderful times together.

Marriage would solve everything.

Fat chance. Cliff was the most vocal anti-marriage advocate on two legs.

Random thoughts. I hate him. I love him.

What was a girl to do?

Renee offered her coffee. Idly she watched the Australian girl fill her cup. That could be me, she thought. In fact, it was me. Waitressing. Only not on a luxury yacht with a bunch of famous billionaires. More like Vegas with a bunch of randy gamblers.

‘Morning.’

Lori glanced up from her place at the breakfast-table to see the Brit footballer, Taye. And what a hunky sight he was. Striped board shorts concealing a multitude of goodies, a sleeveless tee, glistening black skin, and arms with muscles that defied description.

Wow! Lori thought. Sex on a stick. What a pleasant way to start the day.

‘Any sign of my wife?’ Taye enquired, helping himself to a plate of fruit from a long table where all kind of breakfast choices were laid out.

‘Haven’t seen her,’ Lori said, still admiring his impressive physique while thinking that the magazine ads didn’t do him justice. ‘I think I’m the first up.’

‘No,’ Taye boasted, sitting down next to her. ‘I’m the first up. Already worked out in the gym for half an hour, and had a dip in the pool. Forty lengths. Not bad.’

‘Not bad at all,’ Lori murmured, as Mercedes poured him a glass of juice.

‘You been in the gym here?’ Taye asked politely, thinking that she looked like the athletic type.

‘Not yet.’

‘Try it. It’s real hi-tech. Lots of fine equipment.’

‘Sounds great.’

‘It is — gets you all souped-up for the day.’

‘I’ll give it a shot tomorrow. Maybe I can persuade Cliff to join me.’

‘You won’t regret it,’ Taye said, stretching his arms above his head, thinking that last night had been solid. Ashley had been as randy as he was, and they’d had a shitload of fun in bed, more than they’d had in a long time.

‘Cliff is kind of lazy,’ Lori offered. ‘Although he does like to keep it all moving.’

‘Don’t we all,’ Taye replied.

‘I’ll second that.’

‘So, Lori,’ Taye said politely. ‘What do you do? You a model or somethin’?’

‘Actress actually.’

‘Yeah? Have I seen you in anythin’?’

‘Well, if you had, I hope you would’ve remembered,’ she answered, artfully dodging the question.

‘We don’t get out to the movies much,’ Taye admitted, ‘what with work, practice, appearances, commercials, an’ our six-year-old twins. They take up a ton of time an’ energy.’

‘Twins!’ Lori exclaimed. ‘That must be amazing.’

‘If you fancy goin’ without sleep for a couple of years,’ he said ruefully. ‘Yeah, then it’s amazin’.’

‘I’m sure it’s worth it.’

‘Of course it is,’ he said with a wide grin. ‘Although I have to tell you, they’re two right little ravers. It’s never dull around our house. Keeps me an’ the missus in top shape.’

‘I can see that,’ Lori murmured, once again admiring his spectacular physique.

‘Eh?’

‘Well… you look… uh… fantastic.’

‘Thanks. I do my best,’ he said, trying to ignore the fact that she seemed to be coming onto him. Ashley did not appreciate any woman flirting with him, so he was more than relieved when Luca put in an appearance.

Luca was enjoying himself. He’d been working hard all year on two new albums and a worldwide tour, and this short break was a welcome one before continuing his South American tour. He was impressed with the group Aleksandr had gathered. In fact, he was honoured to be included.

Jeromy did not seem to be as impressed as he was, but then Jeromy was riding high on a major bitch-fest. He hadn’t liked either of his dining companions the previous evening, whereas Luca had experienced a fine old time.

Lately, Jeromy was starting to get on his nerves. At the beginning of their relationship things had been quite different. Luca had looked up to Jeromy as being someone who could teach him things, improve his mind, and protect him from the gay mafia who were jonesin’ to get a shot at him. With Jeromy — a respectable, cultured, older English man as his partner, he’d believed it put him out of reach. Not exactly on a pedestal, but hardly a boy to be trifled with.

So after bravely emerging from the closet, he’d fallen straight into a relationship with Jeromy. At the time he’d thought it was the safest move to make, only lately he was experiencing doubts. Jeromy was not the man Luca had thought he was. He was way too promiscuous, and that side of him somewhat unnerved Luca, what with all the diseases out there. Jeromy was also a rabid social climber, and a caustic and sometimes cruel critic of people when