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Chapter One
Eva glanced around at the three other women, virtual strangers, who sat at the table with her. Ever since she’d received word she’d won this all-inclusive vacation at the Bonavista Resort, she’d been looking forward to getting away—from her hectic job as office manager at Keye Electronics, from the frigid January weather in Toronto, and definitely from her aggravating ex-husband.
Her fists clenched under the table as she remembered how he’d done everything he could to delay the sale of their house just to hold up the funds she needed for a down payment on a great new condominium on the west side. With the deadline on the offer looming and no sign of the money becoming available, she’d been stressing out. Finally, she’d decided to hell with it, and she’d let the condo go. It was all about control with Roger, so she simply decided not to play along.
Crystal, across the table, said something Eva couldn’t hear. Jenna, the woman to her left laughed, and Kate, next to her, giggled. Eva smiled, feeling the tension of the past few months slipping away.
She glanced around the large ballroom where the welcoming party to the luxury resort was in full swing. This next week, she intended to relax on the beach, swim and make some new friends. But no men. That jerk of an ex-husband had shown her what men were really all about, and she had decided she could do without a man in her life. Period.
Now, if only she could convince her libido of that.
Allowing her gaze to wander over the women in glittering evening gowns and men in well-tailored tuxes swirling around the dance floor, she felt her insides quiver when she imagined being held in the arms of one of the many gorgeous men here, yet her stomach knotted at the thought of letting any man touch her. Damn, how had she let her ex-husband screw her up so thoroughly?
Eva noticed the hostess leading another woman, holding one of the sweet red cocktails in her hand, to their table. In a black linen power suit, her golden-blonde hair tugged back tight from her face, she seemed more appropriately attired for a business meeting than a party. The woman glanced around uncertainly, tugging at the hem of her trim jacket. Ordinarily, Eva would have held back from this high-powered, business-woman type, since she’d found most to be cold and full of themselves, but this woman seemed lost and a little vulnerable.
“This is where you’ll be sitting this evening,” Eva heard the hostess say over the music and laughter as they approached the table. “Please help yourself to drinks and appetizers, and someone will come and get you for the orientation in about twenty minutes.”
The newcomer nodded her thanks and sank into the empty chair. Eva smiled at her.
“Hi. My name’s Eva.”
Eva offered her hand, and the other woman shook it.
“Hi. I’m Aria.”
Aria’s grip was firm and her fingers frigid. Poor thing must realize how out of place she was in her current attire.
Eva’s fingers glided along the simple string of pearls she wore at her neck. She was glad she’d chosen to wear her favorite dress, a black wrap-around which made her feel feminine and sophisticated.
“This is Jenna, Kate and Crystal.” Eva introduced the women clockwise around the table.
They all smiled and nodded. Each wore an evening gown.
“I feel a little out of place.” Aria fiddled with the clip holding her hair in a twist at the back of her head. “I should have worn something else.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Eva said. “You look great.”
“Thanks.”
“This is so exciting!” Kate, the young woman across the table from Aria, pushed her long, auburn hair behind her ear, her green eyes glittering with enthusiasm. “I wonder what they have planned for us.”
Aria sipped the drink she still held in her hand.
“I don’t know, but I hope there are men involved.” Crystal, the tall blonde on Aria’s right, settled a lascivious gaze on the hard, muscular butts of three guys, gorgeous and in their early twenties, as they passed by. Eva couldn’t help admiring the hard, masculine flesh too, which sent her pulse thrumming.
“There certainly are a lot of good-looking men here,” said Kate.
“And women.” Jenna, a woman with a sweet smile and short feathery black hair, sat on Eva’s left, watching a pair of blonde women in low-cut gowns pass by. Their generous, round breasts practically bounced out of their dresses.
“Don’t worry about those two, honey. They’ve got lots out here…” Crystal indicated her chest, then waved her hand by her head. “But not much up here. Not like you.” She laid her hand on Jenna’s. “You’ve got brains and looks. In fact, you’re way better looking than most of the women here.”
Eva smiled at Jenna and nodded in agreement. Jenna had been the first at the table and Eva the second. They had shared an interesting conversation about books and it turned out Jenna taught English at a college. Jenna, with her wide eyes, high cheekbones and flawless complexion, was stunning. In fact, the other three were all gorgeous too. Crystal sizzled with glamorous sexuality. Kate was rosy-cheeked and innocent. Aria, with her natural golden-blonde hair, slender nose and heart-shaped lips, was a classic beauty.
Jenna smiled at Crystal but tucked her hand under the table as soon as Crystal drew hers away.
Crystal locked gazes with a man two tables over and sent him a seductive smile. “With all these sexy hunks to choose from, I plan to get laid every night by a different man.” She winked. “Or two.”
Eva cringed at the thought. After her selfish ex, she couldn’t even handle the thought of one man, let alone two.
A waitress stopped beside the table. “More drinks, ladies?”
Eva nodded. The waitress took away the empty glasses and set down five new ones. Eva picked one up and sipped.
“And here comes contestant number one,” Crystal purred.
