Kai Read online

Jasper walked toward the desk and sat on the edge. “Look, it’s your own fault for not telling Lilliana about Ieisha. What did you expect?”

  “Wait a minute. How the hell do you know all about that? It only just happened. Have you got my office bugged?” I asked with narrowed eyes.

  He crossed his arms smugly. “Shit, it wouldn’t be worth it, considering all I’d hear is grunting then crying and a ton of foul language.”

  I chuckled. Granted, I didn’t use my office for much else besides fucking. Jasper took care of all the business stuff. “So were you the shoulder Lilliana cried on after she left my cock?”

  He stood. “Well, of course she came to me. I’m the nice one.”

  “Bullshit. That’s Reese. He’s the youngest. You’re creeping toward thirty, old man.”

  “Watch your tone. I can still kick your ass. And by and by, twenty-seven is not ‘creeping toward thirty.’ Lilliana’s right, you know. You are an arsehole.”

  He could kick my ass. At six-three and ripped, Jasper towered over me by three inches and had at least seventy-five more pounds of massive muscle. The man had a demeanor that pivoted from dangerous and cold to serious and astute.

  “So I suppose you’re going to console Lilliana tonight.”

  He smirked. “Yes, me and eleven inches of my glorious phallus.”

  “You do realize she is opposed to being fucked in the ass,” I stated, matter-of-fact.

  “I’d say it will be difficult for her to debate the issue when her mouth is full of Reese’s cock.” He yawned in boredom as he straightened his tie. “I would have asked you to join, but she is mad as a hatter at you. Knowing how much she hates you would stifle my plans tonight. Sorry.”

  I grabbed two bottles of water, tossing one to him. “I’ll probably be busy tonight anyway, creating an exercise and menu plan for the porn star.”

  “Ah, yes, I heard some famous client was checking in and that she used to do adult films.”

  “That would be her, back in the day. She’s coming here to lose weight and get healthy. I can’t do much about the fact she’s old. I’ve also been warned she’ll be resistant as hell.”

  “Then I suppose you’ll have to use your charm, considering she’s overweight and old,” Jasper suggested. “The truth is, Kai, you think anyone past twenty-six is old. She’s a client and paying premium fees to be here. I need you to be respectful.” Warning crept into his tone.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m always respectful.” Regardless of how disgusting they are.

  “You’ve basically alienated all the women we’ve been screwing. You’re messing up my persona. I’m going to force you to go to the mainland to get laid if you don’t reel yourself in. I didn’t put up millions for you to turn VIP into your personal harem. You need to be discreet. We have an image. And unfortunately, because of your hubris, we’ve gotten a particular reputation with the ladies.”

  I balled my fists at my sides. “I’m not the only one of us dipping his wick into our employee ink. Why do you think we had them all sign NDAs? Every woman who works here comes on to us. We don’t have to do shit to entice them. I’m not too concerned about employment law.”

  “Colorful choice of words. Kai, I’m not saying we have to stop our lifestyle. I enjoy it as much as you do, but you need to be more judicious when it comes to our women. You, my friend, are not the king cock.” Jasper paused. “I am.”

  “I’m not getting into a war of words with you just because you have the bigger dick. Besides, that doesn’t mean squat. I’m prettier,” I taunted dryly.

  Jasper smirked as he strolled toward the door. “Yes, you are. The way you look is either a curse or a blessing. I suppose it depends on the woman. Mark my words. One of these days, you’re going to meet the one who isn’t impressed by your looks or quakes under your charisma.”

  I smiled. “As if. Never going to happen. If my looks and swagger aren’t enough, I’ll just whip out my ten inches of heaven.” It had always been a number game between Jasper and me.

  Jasper shook his head. “I’m going home to change. Why don’t you come with? When we get back, we can have a late lunch. I’m starved. You’ll have more than enough time to set up a program for your porn star. I’ve told Reese to take the yacht to greet her.”

  “Former porn star, eons ago. Going with you sounds good… on one condition. Ditch the suit and tie, Earl Grey. Throw on some shorts and flip-flops.”

  “Anything else?” he retorted.

  “Yeah, make sure you wear a shirt. I doubt I could eat while looking at the marvel that is your chest.” I laughed.

  “You’d be the only one.”

  Chapter Three

  Tegan

  “I fucking hate boats,” I announced with a frown. “I get seasick. I’ll puke.”

  Ronnie laughed. “That, bestie, is not a boat, but a goddamn yacht and a pretty one at that. It’s enormous.”

  She grabbed our luggage as I cautiously followed. This sucked. Everyone around me was skinny, tanned, and young. The sun was hot, and the water was blue. I already hated it, and we hadn’t even arrived at VIP yet. But St. Thomas was already giving me a heads-up on what to expect. This wasn’t the place to lose weight. It was where disgruntled fat people came to off themselves.

  “I’m warning you I’m going to get sick,” I threatened as a nice-looking young man helped me onboard.

  “Good. Maybe you can start by tossing your cookies—and I mean that literally. And all those cupcakes you ate on the plane. Who knows? Maybe you’ll lose ten pounds before we get to St. Willis.” Ronnie cackled.

  “God, you are a bitch.” I seethed as I wobbled back and forth.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Sit down before you fall overboard. You have no life preserver. Of course, with those tits, I’m thinking built-in flotation device.”

  I managed to lower myself into a soft, cream-colored leather chair, stomach churning worse than the ocean below us. “I don’t know why we’re best friends or even why I pay you. You are so damn mean to me.”

  Ronnie spun around in the chair next to me. “You love me because I don’t coddle your ass. Tegan, you need this. You’ve been stationary for so long. Jesus, the only exercise you get is opening the refrigerator. You’ll see. Once you get the weight off, you’ll feel better.”

  “Maybe I like being this size. I love food,” I admitted honestly.

  Holy hell. What a fucking view. I hadn’t seen a man this gorgeous since I married the prick.

  “Ms. Scott, I’m Reese,” he said as he handed me a huge folder. “After you read this, I’m here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Once we get to the island and you’ve settled in, someone will come to your room and take your weight and measurements.”

  My mouth dropped. Like hell. “Um, exactly why would you have to know my personal shit?” I barked.

  “Well, you are here to lose weight, and we all need a starting point, don’t we?” he replied cheerfully.

  Easy for you to say. You probably came out of the womb hot. “But it’s embarrassing. I don’t even know those numbers myself.”

  “Just a formality. It will be another woman taking your stats so we can come up with specific menus and exercise tailored just for you. It’s our goal for you to be successful, and we haven’t failed anyone yet.”

  Ronnie interrupted. “Never mind her. She’s just pissed because she won’t be able to snack twenty-four-seven. You might want to check that pink bag. It’s full of paraphernalia.”

  “Traitorous cunt.” I gasped, fighting the urge to heave. I smacked Ronnie in the head with the folder as she gleefully went through the papers.

  “Wow, this place has everything. Let me ask you, Reese. It is Reese, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Ronnie cringed. “I’m only thirty and you, I presume, maybe early twenties. Call me anything but ma’am. But you can call her that,” she proclaimed as she pointed toward me. “Anyway, I wondered if there are any gay women on St. Wil
lis.”

  “What the hell, Ronnie? That is totally not PC. You can’t ask that. See, because of you, I no longer have my pink bag, and right about now, I wish I could stuff a Twinkie in your mouth.”

  “She’s right. That was a little too personal. Sorry, I tend to open mouth and insert foot constantly.”

  Reese smiled with teeth so white they could cause temporary blindness. “Honestly, just between us, most of our employees appear straight, but I believe we have a few on the fence.” He laughed.

  “Oh, don’t include Tegan. She hasn’t been laid since the dawn of time. I’m not even sure she’d know what do with a real penis anymore.”

  I felt my face turn beet red. “Oh, I’d know. Ex-porn star here.”

  Ronnie waved her hands. “That was years ago. Use it or lose it.”

  “Whatever.” I belched. Saltwater and fresh air. Fuck this shit. Plus, ninety days of being told what to do. Did I look submissive?

  Ronnie told me all about VIP as she read through the contents of the folder. Floors five through ten were strictly for clients who wanted privacy. Anonymity was foremost to these clients. Well, even though I was paying for this privacy, no one would know me. I’d be just another overweight guest.

  As we got closer, I could see the white sandy beaches and a tall hotel. They had everything… except an airport. Which truly sucked because I didn’t care how many golf courses, pools, and beaches they had. I wanted to go home.

  “It’s gorgeous. Wow. It looks fabulous. Don’t you think so, T?” Ronnie asked as she tilted her sunglasses down while elbowing me.

  “Yeah, amazing.” I barely got the words out before I vomited. Ugh! My hair. My shirt. The floor. Fuck!

  “I’m pretty sure that’s a cupcake,” Ronnie commented.

  I groaned. “Shut up,” I squeaked as I leaned back into my seat.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Ms. Scott. It happens quite frequently,” Reese said as he handed me a beverage. “This will settle your stomach. One of the deck hands will be here right away with a mop.”

  The drink was fruity with a bicarbonate fizz. I burped quietly and continually. Once I finished the glass, I felt better. Frankly, I couldn’t wait until I checked into my air-conditioned room and took a shower.

  The yacht cruised gently to the dock and anchored. I went to grab my bags, including the Fendi that had been previously confiscated and put aside, as Reese’s hand clasped mine.

  “Not the pink bag, Ms. Scott. I can’t have you bringing in prohibited items.”

  I glared at Ronnie as he pried my fingers from my beloved bag.

  “After your first thirty days, you won’t even desire this junk anymore.”

  What a jerk. He obviously had never tasted a white chocolate cupcake from Cupcake Central. I had them flown in from Australia. That’s how exceptional they were. Better than sex. Well, if I were having sex. That particular activity had been replaced with yummy sweets and fabulous sex toys. Oh God, now I was craving that chocolate mousse I’d eaten in France. Definitely better than any dick I’d ever had.

  My stomach growled. I was extra hungry after throwing up my pre-diet food groups.

  * * *

  The hotel was incredible. It was as though they made sure everything you needed or wanted was taken care of. As Ronnie checked us in, my eyes went to the stores. All the window displays were athletic wear, bathing suits, and sundresses. I strolled across the lobby, which was glass and chrome that overlooked an infinity pool with a waterfall cascading into the ocean below. I had to admit I’d never seen anything like this, and I’d been all over the world. For a fitness club, it was sublime.

  “Here’s a map for the grounds and the amenities. The gym is actually below us,” Ronnie said as she handed me a brochure. “We have a double suite on the tenth floor. They already took up our luggage. You need a shower before someone comes up to take your weight.”

  I glowered. “Really. Don’t remind me. As pretty as all of this is, it’s not giving me any comfort.” At least not like a cupcake could.

  I followed Ronnie to the elevator. “Sure we shouldn’t take the stairs? I may need the workout,” I snapped.

  “Hell no. Be my guest, though. I don’t need to lose weight. I came to get laid,” Ronnie said, smirking.

  My eyes rolled as I stepped into the elevator.

  Our room was unbelievable. The suite was enormous—two master bedrooms with their own baths, a living room, an office, and a luxurious sitting room. Each bedroom had its own Jacuzzi and sauna. The space was decorated in different hues of gray. It had three minibars and a sixty-inch television. I opened the balcony doors and stepped out onto the huge patio space, which boasted a lap pool and breakfast nook. I inhaled deeply as I watched the sunset and smelled the salt air.

  The view was almost worth the cost.

  My brain went immediately from drop-dead seascape to those three minibars.

  I heard Ronnie chuckling as though she’d read my mind. The first refrigerator had nothing but bottled water. Granted, it held twenty different kinds, which was impressive in itself. The second one had bottled juices. I abhorred green liquid. Disgusting. It looked like a fucking rainbow of health.

  Please, dear God, let the third one be just right.

  Wrong again. Carrot sticks, celery, radishes, apples—a multitude of fresh nutrition. There were several bags of dried veggies. I grabbed those, ripping one open as I headed toward my bathroom. I stuffed a handful of dried green beans into my mouth as I turned on the shower. I immediately spit the dry, tasteless, and unsalted demon snack into the toilet. Yes, apparently, I was going to starve. I’d be dead, but my coffin would be a size four.

  I bolted out of the bathroom and padded into my bedroom. I retrieved my yoga pants, nightshirt, and a large shoulder bag. The pants sucked me in, which meant my measurements would be smaller.

  After stripping off my vomit-decorated outfit, I stood under the water. This showerhead was one of those rain dance ones. Extravagant shit for a health retreat. They could spend less on the faucets and more on something other than rabbit nibbles.

  I scrubbed my hair and buffed my body, quickly dried off, then got dressed. I opened the door to let the steam out and pulled my blow-dryer and diffuser from my cosmetic case. If it dried naturally, I’d look like Bozo the Clown.

  “They just called to see if you’re ready,” Ronnie said as she poked her head into the bathroom.

  “I’m not thrilled about some stranger judging me,” I replied, putting down the blow-dryer.

  “She’s not going to judge you. Whoever comes up here is a professional. She realizes you’re here to lose weight, so quit sabotaging this plan.”

  “This is all you,” I accused. “I never agreed to this. You more or less just did this behind my back.”

  We both sat on the gray sofa.

  “Look, it’s like this, T. You had to come here. I’m tired of you falling into the dark hole of depression every time another diet fails. Here, you won’t. Everyone here wants you to win. I want you to feel good about yourself when you ring that stock exchange bell. You pulled yourself out of the porn industry, divorced that tool, and took an idea and turned it into a multimillion-dollar corporation. You can tell me how happy you are all you want, but it’s a ruse. Your acting skills are subpar. I know losing weight isn’t going to change you overnight, but I truly believe it’s a start. I love you, and I want you to have the happiness you deserve. Tegan, you need someone in your life besides me.”

  “Oh Jesus, been there. Tried that,” I pointed out, standing, exhausted.

  “That was a long time ago. Your ex was an ass. What did you expect? He only married you because you were famous and rich. And for the fact that every other man wanted you. Talk about judging. You hold your ex as an example for every man out there.”

  “I’m doing just fine. I’m the CEO of a huge company, and we’re about to become the world’s first sex toy industry on the stock exchange. Life is golden.”

  “A
re you trying to convince me or yourself? I think you need more in your life than a vibrating egg and cupcakes. Don’t you want to be loved?”

  “And I suppose no one could love me in a size fourteen?”

  Ronnie dismissed the comment with a wave of her fingers. “You have an image, like it or not. I’d say we live in a goddamn man’s world, but even some women want the same thing. They want you to be a homemaker by day and a whore in the bedroom, but most of all, they want the woman that another can’t have.”

  “So what you’re saying is I will never have anything or be happy unless I’m thin. That’s bullshit.”

  Ronnie threw up her hands. “Jesus, are you listening? I didn’t make the rules. You did. The first time you took off your clothes, you became the woman that every man dreamed of. The first time you sucked a cock and got fucked onscreen by multiple men, you became that woman. You think because you left the industry and became a business executive, that changes those men’s point of view. They will always envision Tawny Temp. They want her, and they want her in a size four. You want that. You can deny it all you want, but you miss that little black dress and all the samples of complimentary couture you received.”

  I watched as tears filled her eyes. The waterworks were only moments away.

  “Please don’t cry, Ronnie. If you start, then I’ll start. It will become a cry fest, and that always ends with us doing something stupid.”

  “I don’t like you blaming me for bringing you here. Just give this place a chance. I know it will be hard, but stuffing yourself with snack cakes will not make you happy.”

  Um, yes, it would, but that hot bastard took my bag. “What choice do I have? We’re here, so I’ll give it a try. But I’m telling you I’m drawing the line at that weird-looking tofu shit. They better have fish or steak. Fuck it all. Now I’m hungry.”

  * * *

  A super-fit woman arrived to take my stats. She was obviously twenty-something, super tanned with a tight little body. She definitely caught Ronnie’s attention, who didn’t bother to hide the fact she was scoping her out.

  Nadia was sweet. She took my blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. She also let me face away from the scale. I begged her not to tell me the number. My measurements were just written down. She never even whispered them. I was grateful for her discretion. I hadn’t weighed myself in years, but I knew I had gained a lot. I remembered when size eight was comfortable. I’d barely blinked, and suddenly, I was squeezing into a size fourteen.