What To Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection Part Two (207 page)

I moaned softly and allowed my body to completely relax. “If you stop I’m jumping out a window.” There was nothing sexual about what he was doing, it just felt great.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” His hands continued to work their magic and the guys discussed other business of the week.

“Speaking of the island, I was think taking a trip down would be a great idea.” Leif’s words filtered through the bliss of Miles’s hands.

“You should fly us all down, Leon. If Zoey doesn’t mind roughing it for a few days, it would be a great chance to see what we’ll be working with?” Samson seemed excited by the idea and stood up.

I’d discovered over the months that Leon was a pilot which I guess he’d decided to take up because of his love of parachuting. A weekend on a deserted island with four hot billionaires? That didn’t sound like a terrible thing? That was relaxing massage answering, and not my common sense. “How rough are we talking?”

“We would have to set up tents. Have you ever been camping, Zoey?” Miles seemed thrilled at the idea and I knew Leif could get in some surfing too.

“Um. No. City girl here, the closest I’ve come to camping is spending the night on the pavement trying to get concert tickets.” How bad could it be though? I really would like to see where the next phase of Fantasy’s would begin.

“Actually the place was once a wildlife preserve so there is a small cabin and according to the agent it’s still operational. But that’s a two day flight with a stopover in Hong Kong to refuel. Instead of a few days, make it a week.” Leon seemed amused that he had knowledge Samson didn’t.

“We could all bring work and make a week out of it then.” Miles seemed ready to jump at the opportunity but thanks to Lucas I was getting backed up with clients again. Remembering that I’d have to deal with him if we didn’t do this made me rethink things though. Taking a flight and then hanging out with the guys on an island for a week? Okay I was stupid, but why not?

“I’m game if my bosses don’t mind me missing work here.” A vacation after less than half a year of employment? Maybe it wasn’t very responsible of me, but they made the rules. Right?

“And who should we leave in charge of Fantasy’s while we’re away gentleman?” Samson appeared to be amused but also like he was the only person here who had any concern about running a business.

“If we only leave the downstairs bar running in our absence, Davis and Rachel should be able to handle that on their own. Or Dean can continue running the office as usual. The decorators can set up for the fantasies while we’re gone and the minute we return we can move forward there.” Leif seemed to have it all figured out and if it hadn’t been for Samson’s expression I’d have said he was pretty clever.

“Rachel’s great with the waitresses, but leaving her in charge would be a disaster.” Samson looked at me apologetically, but I understood why he felt that way. She was my best friend but responsibility? That definitely wasn’t her strong suit.

“Davis can keep things running smoothly, he’ll be in control of all the staff.” Davis was the bar manager and ruled with a similar style to Samson, meaning he didn’t take crap from the employees. According to Miles, he and Samson should have been born brothers they were so alike. “This is not a vacation though. We need to make some serious decisions while we’re there about where to place the resort and what route will be the most comfortable for the eventual clients.”

All the guys nodded but you could tell by the expressions on their faces that work was the furthest thing from their minds. I was going to Australia! Okay well not really since the island was just off the Great Barrier Reef, but close enough!

“I’ll touch base with Davis, the rest of you pack for a week on the island and bring some decent walking shoes! Leon what time do you want to fly out?” Samson was all business now and I admit that my mind was on the adventure, not work.

“I should be able to get us cleared for an early morning flight.” He spoke to Samson before turning to me. “Have you got a passport?”

My face fell. I’d never needed one before. “No. I could stay here and work on contracts.” Never in my life had I not wanted to work more.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Leif grinned with that boyish smile. “I’ll take you to get that taken care of.”

“Great idea.” Miles grinned. “So what time should we be here in the morning?”

“Let’s make it six.” After Leon’s comment, everyone went their separate ways and I was left with Leif. It took us less than two hours to get my passport and for him to drop me back off at the apartment.

I was grinning like a giddy school girl when I walked in and told Rachel the news. “I seriously hate you now!”

I knew she didn’t mean it, so I grinned wider. “It’s just work, Rach.” That’s what I wanted to tell myself the truth was I wasn’t thinking about clients at all at the moment.

“Maybe you’ll get laid while you’re there.” She waggled her eyebrows and just like that my gut clenched. Rachel had given me nothing but grief about missing the parties. She was pretty quick to fill me in on all the interesting scenarios I’d missed out on too.

“You don’t think they’d think that do you?” For a moment I panicked. Honestly the thought hadn’t crossed my mind. We’d all developed a great working relationship but as sexy as they were I didn’t see them that way.

“I know if they were taking me to an island I’d be putting on some serious moves.” This was why Samson couldn’t leave Rachel in charge. Her mind was always in the gutter. Of course she was working at Fantasy’s, so that worked in her favor until she crossed the line with a customer.

“I don’t think about them that way.” At her eye roll I knew I needed to get the conversation going in a different direction. “Help me pack?”

We walked back to my bedroom and Rachel pulled out my suitcase. “I’m just saying, getting a little one on one, or hell four on one action wouldn’t be a bad thing.” Rachel laughed at her own joke. Me doing four guys would be like her abstaining for a month. She didn’t expect an answer since she began tossing things into the suitcase.

“It’s a business trip.” Even so I couldn’t help laughing my ass off as she tossed in all my summer wear. “I don’t think shorts and tanks will work.”

“You’re going to an island. If I know Samson, he’ll make this a working deal, but you still need to be comfortable. I hear it’s hot as shit down there this time of year.” When I still looked ready to argue, she put her hands on her hips and glared. “Do you want to pass out from heat exhaustion or dress weather appropriately?”

“Fine, mom. Just make sure I have a few pair of jeans to cover my ass in case it gets cold at night.” I packed my lingerie, footwear and socks myself, not trusting her with the underwear department.

“If it were me going, I’d hook up with one of the hunky guys and let them keep me warm, but for you I’ll throw in jeans.” Rachel rolled her eyes at me before walking over to the closet and pulling out my three favorite pairs.

“You’re so not wearing that granny bathing suit.” She snatched my one piece out of my hands as I was attempting to put it in the case. Walking off with it she came back minutes later with her tags still on, string bikini. “That’s what you wear on an island!”

I eyed the pieces of fabric and guffawed. “Uh, no. That’s what you wear when you’re asking to get laid. I’ll stick to the one piece.”

“Fine. Don’t blame me if you have screwed up tan lines when you get back.” I was amazed she gave in that easily. Rachel was not known to back down from much. “Let’s grab some dinner before you leave for an entire week!”

I slipped the one piece back in the case before zipping it up. “We doing takeout again, or do you want me to cook?” Rachel didn’t cook at all, so if we ate in that chore fell to me.

“I should make you cook for me since you’re going to paradise tomorrow, but let’s go out? It is Friday after all.” There was no way I could refuse our steak night when I was escaping to paradise tomorrow.

“Okay but if I can’t fit in my bathing suit, I’m blaming you.”

“Right. Because I have to twist your arm to eat.” With a grin, we walked toward the front door and she stopped. “Crap, I left my wallet on your bed, I’ll be right back.” I knew she didn’t need it, since I was buying tonight but she’d already reached the room before I could say anything.

We left out and I doubted I’d be able to eat a bite I was so excited about the trip. I quickly made a liar out of myself when we ended up at our favorite restaurant.

The Island

E
xcited didn’t even begin to fit the way I felt when we boarded the company’s private jet. The thing was freaking amazing and being able to sit in the cockpit while Leon navigated was something I decided I wanted to do every day for the rest of my life. It was really incredible flying through the clouds getting a front row seat.

My enthusiasm obviously humored him because he kept a smile on his face. Flying this way was amazing because it stopped all the checks you’d normally have to endure at the different airports. I had to pull myself out of the cockpit to discuss business with the other men since Samson did demand a working trip, but still it was something most people never get to experience.

We stopped overnight in Hong Kong, so the plane could get refueled and Leon could rest. Unfortunately we were all so exhausted a mutual decision was made not to explore and we ordered in room service at the hotel for the night instead. Samson did promise that he’d bring me back there someday or I may have well been heartbroken to not have taken the opportunity.

The next morning we were back on the jet and it took another twelve hours to finally reach our next to last destination, Cairns. I wasn’t sure there could be a paradise to match the place. I felt like a kid. The excitement was almost overwhelming as we walked down those streets soaking up all the culture.

Leif and Miles gave me a tour while Samson and Leon secured the boat we’d be taking over to the island. It felt natural to hold both their hands as we walked into shops and bought things we’d never have any use for. We did get some peculiar looks from the natives of the city, but honestly I didn’t care. Let them think I was happily fooling around with two sexy men, I knew the truth.

Leave it to Samson to not just rent a boat. When he called us down to the pier I stared in amazement at the beautiful vessel he’d acquired. It was somewhat ironic watching his attempt to explain his reasons for purchase when he normally was so reserved in his spending for the club. There was nothing reserved about this purchase.

I heard all about how Samson loved boats and already owned three from the other men. We shopped together for all the things we might need while on the island. None of us were sure what type of lodging the old cabin had, so tents, sleeping bags, and every other imaginable thing needed for a camp out was purchased. We did know there was no electricity so portable lighting devices were added into the supplies.

It would take several trips to haul this stuff in and by the time we finally set out to sea, I was exhausted. The jet lag was setting in, and the clear blue-green lull of the waters just made you want to be lazy. I gave in to that need while enjoying the sun beating down on my face as Samson took us to our destination. I was wearing a tank top and shorts, and thankful that I’d taken Rachel’s advice on packing these up.

When I woke up I had a huge straw hat on my head that Leif had purchased as a joke back in town. I might have been upset about that but since I’d forgotten to put on sunscreen he saved me from a nasty burn. “Thanks a lot.” Giving him a playful smirk I gasped as the island came into view.

“The pier looks pretty stable, but I’d like to check it out before we anchor off.” Miles motioned toward the long wooden pier and I had no idea what would make one seem stable or not.

This was going to be the next home for Fantasy’s! I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was here. Long, white, sugar-sand beaches stretched out as far as my eyes could see. Palm trees with their leaves softly swaying with the breeze, this was definitely an island paradise. “Can I move in?”

“Let’s see if you still feel that way after a week.” Leif was grinning and I could see he felt the same way.

Miles checked the sturdiness of the wooden planks and gave his nod of approval. “We’ll definitely need to build a bigger one, but for now this should work.”

Samson unfolded a map and studied it. “If it hasn’t grown over there should be a pebbled walk way to the cabin straight ahead. The agent said it was only about 400 feet back. Why don’t you stay on the boat with Zoey, while the rest of us check it out?”

Leif gave a nod and the other three trekked off. I couldn’t wait to get my feet into the sand so I jumped over the side, still wearing my clothes. The water was warm and inviting and I dove under with a smile. Leif didn’t wait long to join me and soon we were swimming around like children.

It was already in the eighties. I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like here in the summer. “Definitely could see me living out my life here.” Paddling back to the shore, I wasn’t sure I liked the look on the guy’s faces. Samson looked pissed, while Leon and Miles just seemed perturbed.