Page 95 of Pandora's Pleasure

“Of course.”

“How often do you fly?”

“Enough to keep my license valid. I get the hours in whenever I can.”

“It was impressive, seeing you in the pilot’s seat.”

“Wait. Was that a compliment?”

“Yes, I’m teaching you how they’re delivered.” Her tongue rested on her upper lip and then she pivoted away toward her room.

I headed in the opposite direction and entered the kitchen. We could make this work. I’d take the main bedroom and den. Pandora could have the rest of the place. I’d set her up so she could stream TV shows in the entertainment lounge.

The kitchen was fully stocked with enough meals to feed a family of four for a week. I may come from privilege, but I wasn’t as spoiled as her Royal Highness.

Reaching into the fridge, I lifted out a chilled bottle of beer and popped off the cap. I stood sipping my beer and admiring the view from the kitchen window. Tall palm trees lined the way to the pool. A bird hopped between them as though he, too, was used to all this decadence. It was one of those birds tourists mistook for flamingos because of its distinctive pink feathers.

“Damien, will you do my back?”

I turned to look at Pandora and felt a spark of arousal at seeing her in a red bikini—and a skimpy one at that. She might as well be naked. I admired her toned curves and the pert nipples visible through her skimpy bikini top. She was holding up a tube of sunblock.

With my thumb, I pointed toward the window. “Roseate Spoonbill.”

“What?”

“It’s a bird. Outside. You should take a look.”

She came closer and peeked out the window. “Oh, yes.”

“They can be confused for flamingoes.”

“They go bald when they get old.”

I shot her a look.

She raised her sunblock. “You don’t mind?”

I took several gulps of beer. “We should do that outside.”

“I’m meant to apply it before I’m exposed to the sun.”

“I know, but…”

She looked horrified. “Are the press out there already?”

My lips twisted into a ruefulsmile.

“I have to change.” She set the sunscreen on the nearby counter. “I have a swimsuit that doesn’t show off so much skin.”

I moved over and picked up the bottle of sunscreen. “You look fine. Come on, I’ll bring my Kindle and you can sunbathe beside me. Our pool is private.”

“Not from a long angle lens.”

“Which is why you and I are going to work hard at being nice. All that’s expected of you during this trip is for you to not show how much you hate me.”

“Ha.” She turned and padded on bare feet to the door.

After making a quick change into my swimming trunks and grabbing my sunglasses, I joined her in the midday sun by the pool. This might even be fun if I didn’t over think it.