Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Heartbreak, party of one.
“Do you know New York?” I ask, trying to lighten my sudden depressive mood. “Like, have you been to Manhattan before? There’s a lot of bad TV about the city, so sometimes visitors have pre-conceived notions that don’t line up with real life.”
“I’ve been there a few times,” Brax drawls with a grin. “Hasn’t everyone? It’s a big tourist destination. But why are you in New York, Morgan? Wouldn’t you rather live an island life of luxury?”
I smile, because some things about the life here does appeal to me. “So far, I like island life,” I admit. “The food, the energy. The company.”
“I like the company, too,” he agrees easily.
“I just don’t know what I’d do in a place like this,” I point out. “Work at La Mirage?”
Brax’s blue eyes sparkle with mischief. “I can think of a few things to keep you busy,” he says in a suggestive tone.
I giggle even as a dark thought crosses my mind because I could never be one of the women in his community. Providing sexual services in exchange for luxury accommodations?
No, that’s not my thing.
I look down at my glass, wondering if my next question might upset him, but determined to ask it anyway.
“All of those women who I saw at the community council meeting—do they really like living here?”
Brax shrugs. “I think so, yes. It really is their choice. They enjoy the lifestyle.”
“Being toys for a group of men?” The words come out more bitter than I mean for them to and I look at my hands, hoping I don’t sound like a shrew.
“I understand it might be hard for someone outside our community to understand,” Brax says calmly. “Another way to think about their choice is this: these women wanted a life of leisure and to be able to have sex without being judged for it. There’s nothing wrong with embracing the kind of lifestyle you want.”
I nod, slightly humbled but also certain that this particular part of island life isn’t for me.
“You aren’t into it, are you?” Brax asks, clearly reading the disapproval on my face.
I consider how to respond, twirling my champagne around as I choose my next words.
“I’ll admit, I’m into parts of it,” I confess. “But not all.”
“What parts?” Brax asks, his eyes flashing. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. No one’s listening.”
I giggle. “Well, I’m sure you can imagine,” I tease him. “I guess I like the idea of sexual freedom, on paper at least. And I will admit that the idea of lounging on chaises and drinking buckets of champagne all day does sound a lot better than my day job.”
Brax just shakes his head, chuckling as he does so. “But you’d be bored in five minutes,” he says. “Not with all the sex, but the lifestyle.”
I jut out my lip, pretending I’m hurt by his assessment. “You don’t know that!” I huff. “I could get used to a life of being spoiled.” But I can barely control my laughter. I raise my hands in a gesture of surrender. “Fine, you’re right. I would be trying to unionize the other women or something, all within a week of living here.”
He throws back his head and howls. “Oh man, Trek would be furious if you did something like that. And now, I kind of want to see you try.”
“Well, if my job in New York ends up being a dead end, I’ll let you know. Maybe I could come be the centerpiece on your council table or something.” I almost roll my eyes at the thought but catch myself. “You know, how they have naked girls perch like a statue.”
Brax’s blue eyes darken and flare.
“Except you’re mine. I’m not sharing you with those assholes.”
A small gasp escapes my lips. I’m both a little startled and turned on by the possessiveness in Brax’s voice as a small shiver of delight runs down my spine.
“But I’m yours,” I murmur, blinking innocently. “You know that, Brax.”
He rubs a hand across his face and sits up straighter—and a little further—from me. “Ha, no. This date is supposed to be about learning more about each other outside of sex,” Brax says sternly. “So, what about New York? What do you do there? Are you a student?”
I smile, charmed by this man’s efforts to resist the broiling physical attraction between us. For the moment at least. I smile, sweetly.
“No, I graduated from NYU a couple years ago. I work for the city. I guess I’ve been in my job for what—” I count the months on my fingers— “about four months now.”
“What do you do day to day?” Brax asks, chuckling.
I smile because it’s endearing that he’s interested in my life. I appreciate that he doesn’t want to rip off my clothes right away, and is instead taking the time to create a real connection, boring as my job might be.