Werewulf Journals 3: Hungry Pleasures (9 page)

needing to see his expression if, or when, he recognized her, remembered her.

“One of the first things we’ll address is how we identify ourselves. You may have

noticed I gave you only my first name. While here, we will all be known by first name only.

Do not give out your last name to anyone. Staff will not ask for it, and no one else is entitled to it. I, of course, am conversant with everyone’s information and I am the only one on this island who needs to know it. I assure you, your information will remain private and secure.”

Kaila yawned, quickly covering her mouth with her hand. Much as she wanted to hang

on to his every word, the flight had been long. Actually, for her it had been two flights. The first one flew into Washington/Dulles, where a private jet had been idling on the tarmac.

The second, longer flight had brought them to this unknown destination.

Her jaw widened in another sleep-deprived yawn.

This last week had been a whirlwind of activity for her. As Rickard had promised,

she’d opened the door early Monday morning to find his current head of security, Karel, standing on her step. He’d handed her two forms in triplicate, collected her signatures, and then driven her to the bank to deposit the indecently large check that had freed her from ever having to work again. Two point five million dollars! I still can’t believe I have that kind Werewulf Journals 3: Hungry Pleasures

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of money sitting in the bank waiting for me to come home. Money to help Daddy and the boys.

Instead of leaving, as she’d expected him to, Karel had overnighted the contracts to

Rickard and remained with her the entire week, sleeping in the guestroom upstairs. Acting as her bodyguard, chauffeur, and fashion guide, he had taken her on a sweeping tour of all New York’s upscale shops catering to the large-sized woman.

Thanks to Karel, she now felt confident and assured, convinced she looked as good as

everyone else aboard. Clothes might not make the woman, but well tailored, they certainly hid a plethora of flaws.

Karel had been just what she needed. His care and concern -- the way he always took

her hand to help her enter or exit the car -- made her feel precious and special. He never spoke down to her, never belittled her opinions. On the same note, he never agreed with her just to placate her and they had several grand arguments when their views differed.

Yes, she knew Karel acted on orders from Rickard, but he could have carried out his

duty and remained aloof and distant. Instead, he had been a fun, cheerful companion, teasing her into stretching her wings, forcing her to try on bright, colorful coordinates and once, literally snatching a dark, somber black pantsuit out of her hands with mock expressions of horror.

She loved the mental challenge and stimulation he presented and dreaded the idea of

his leaving. By the time he drove her to the airport, she felt as if she’d gained another brother, one who understood and accepted her just as she was. At least, she had been

prepared to accept him as a pseudo-brother.

During the enforced closeness of their weeklong association, Kaila hadn’t pretended

not to notice his growing regard. It was hard to miss. “Good lord, Karel,” she’d finally gathered the courage to ask, “do all the men of your country like big women?” She doubted it was her, per se -- he had to be predisposed -- but imagine meeting three men in as many weeks, and having two of them blatantly come on to her!

“No, not all. In the case of my prince, I believe he was shocked to find himself succumbing to your acerbic brand of charm.” He held up his hands to stave off her outraged protest. “His words -- not mine. Not usually drawn to full-fleshed women, my lord found it hard to explain his loss of control. However, he is a deeply perceptive man and sees beneath the surface of most. You blind-sided him with your inner beauty, as you have done with me.”

He leaned closer, whispered in her ear, his lips brushing against the sensitive lobe. “In my case, the males of my line have always preferred having something substantial to hold on to. Pavel is my second cousin.”

She’d drawn away in shock. “You are cousins? Really?”

“Of course. Only a pa -- uh…family member would be trusted near you. The prince

wouldn’t risk any other male being overcome by your allure.”

44 Camille Anthony

She snorted, flashing him a disbelieving smile. “You almost had me until you went

overboard. My allure…yeah, right…!”

Karel didn’t return her smile. “Only the very real threat of having my testicles forcibly removed and fed to me has kept me from attempting to jump my cousin’s claim. Before

sending me to you, the prince informed me of my boundaries.”

“Claim? When did Pavel make a claim? What gives anyone the right to make a claim

on me?”

He ignored her questions. “I have been warned off. I am not, however, restricted from presenting myself to you as an alternative.” He captured her hand, brought it to his lips, and brushed a heated kiss across her wrist. “I, too, have a title and lands. If you decide you do not want Pavel, please recall there is another Janecek who would welcome you as a mate and would worship your luscious body in his bed. And Kaila, my love -- we Janeceks are faithful dogs…and highly sexed.” He winked and exited the limo.

In total shock at the suddenness of his proposal -- he had just proposed, hadn’t he? --

Kaila had remained silent and numb as he deposited her suitcases with a skycap, to be tagged and loaded onto a baggage flat. He ignored the check-in counter and used his diplomatic status to waltz her past airport security to the private jet waiting on the field.

He’d left her with a few words of wisdom she’d taken to heart. “A woman’s body is rich and mysterious. Hidden valleys and lush hills are her legacy…and a man’s reward. What male yearns for meager bread and water when there is wine and cheese available?” he had asked, dark brown eyes filled with admiration.

Still reeling from his earlier declaration, she’d stoically waved goodbye as he backed away from her. He didn’t turn around until he’d bumped against the door, as if wanting to feast his eyes upon her as long as possible.

She’d hurried onto the plane, trying desperately to distance herself from the sick

realization of her body’s betrayal. A strong pulse throbbed to life in her core, startling and disgusting her. Her damned body teetered, poised on a sexual precipice, responding as strongly to Karel’s whispered promise as she had to Rickard’s kisses. If the bodyguard had bothered to make a real move on her, she’d probably have jumped his bones right there in the airport.

Dear lord, I am turning into a slut! Damn it, three men have turned me on, one with

kisses, the other two with just a word or the promise seen in the glint of an eye.

“Her name is Kaila. She’s done this before. We thought she was just ignoring us.”

“Kaila? Kaila, are you with us?”

Pavel’s voice -- one of the men from whom she’d gladly accept the title of slut, as long as his body delivered on the promise -- brought her out of her deep reverie. Sometimes, she retreated so far from reality it could be hard to reach her. The embarrassment she felt now at Werewulf Journals 3: Hungry Pleasures

45

being caught daydreaming while Pavel instructed them on what to expect at Sated Pleasures brought scalding heat to her brown cheeks.

“Uhm, yes, sir…I am now.”

“Good.”

The two were practically secluded in the back of the plane, Kaila having chosen to sit as far away from the others as possible. It had only taken several aborted attempts at conversation during the flight to discover that, other than the common denominator of their excess pounds, she and the ladies accompanying her had nothing in common. In fact, they’d made it plain they felt they were rich and savory vichyssoise while she was plain old cold potato soup…from a can.

The group had broken up naturally along the lines of yachts, dinners in Milan, and

gambling in Monte Carlo. Thanks to Rickard, Kaila had money in the bank and new clothes, but she hated jockeying for position at the best of times and now, feeling out of place, knowing she was the least wealthy woman in the group, she’d decided to keep her distance.

Since no one else felt like discussing the newest roll-backed prices at Wal-Mart, she’d opted to settle back with a funny MaryJanice Davidson novel, which kept her chuckling softly to herself for most of the flight.

Now, sheltered from the curious gazes of the women by his broad back, Kaila looked

up, and found her gaze snagged by Pavel’s piercing green eyes. His extended hand held the last orientation sheet.

He met her startled gaze, his pale eyes filled with a hot blaze of -- the emotion looked remarkably like joy, mixed with a healthy helping of lust. The next instant they’d narrowed in sudden anger. Mouth tightening, a muscle ticking in his jaw, he sniffed the air about her, stared at her as if she’d done something wrong -- something other than falling into a daze during his welcoming speech. Without uttering a word, he handed her the sheet, turned, and walked back up the aisle.

Oh, he remembers me, all right. He must be wondering what I’m doing here. I hope he

doesn’t think I’m chasing him!

“As I was saying,” he continued, “you must be sure, ladies, that this program is what you want. There won’t be another chance to return home without consequences. If you

decide to leave now, we will refund your monies minus the non-refundable administration fee. You will have one year to reconsider and rejoin us without having to go through the entire screening process again. During that time, we will credit your administration fee to your new application. After a year’s time, that will no longer hold true. Is this clear, so far?”

“Yes.”

“Uhm-hmm.”

“Got it, handsome.”

46 Camille Anthony

He stood near the cockpit door, gaze in her direction, seemingly waiting for her

response.

“Very clear,” Kaila answered in response to his pointed stare, her words husky and

strained. Just listening to his voice had her insides tied up in knots. The others all chimed in, but their voices were just so much white noise in the background. She didn’t pay them any attention, too busy trying to control her suddenly rampant libido.

“Should you decide to stay, you will abide by all the rules set down. There aren’t that many.” Pavel strode up and down the aisles, handing out more papers as he spoke. “This last is your behavior contract. You will sign one copy and return it to me. It will go in your file.

You will keep the other copy with you at all times. Memorize it. We will punish every infraction. There will be no exceptions made, no mercy meted out on the grounds you

couldn’t recall a particular rule.”

Pavel paused and took a deep breath. “Once you leave this plane, your former lives end for the next two months. There will be no favoritism shown by any staff toward any client.

You are all here on equal footing. Now you’ve all had ample time to look over the rules, does anyone choose to leave?”

No hands rose.

Pavel’s wide smile softened the stark lines of his face, revealing an inner tenderness Kaila found highly appealing. More than one yearning feminine sigh wafted about the

airplane, telling her some of the others felt the same pull of attraction. She bristled, wanting to shout, “Hands off! He’s mine!” fully prepared to back her claim up with violence.

“Excellent! Ladies, I am pleased you’ve all decided to remain with us. Again, welcome to Sated Pleasures, my dears. You will now exit the plane and board the trams. Leave all your belongings except your personal purses. All luggage will be transferred to the compound by another carrier.”

Feeling smug, Kaila tucked her book away and stood, awaiting her turn to exit,

confident he’d aimed his comments about favoritism at her. If so, he had to be cautioning himself. She had never once hoped to receive any special treatment from him. Despite what Rickard and Karel had hinted at, she hadn’t believed Pavel would even recognize her, let alone remember her with any but casual interest. The sudden tenting of his pants proved otherwise, screamed his interest.

She stared out the plane’s small window as Pavel exited, loving the view. He crossed

the tarmac to the waiting trams, his trim buttocks flexing and rolling under her interested gaze. Her womb clenched and her vagina pulsed with need. Her mouth watered. So, too, did regions farther south.

Werewulf Journals 3: Hungry Pleasures

47

Duck Sauce

The ride to the main complex meandered through the most lush, verdant greenery

she’d ever seen. The foliage and temperature reminded her of the islands of Hawaii. She was sure this island lay near or in a corresponding longitude and latitude. The day was warm, but not too hot, sultry weather to match a sultry regime of weight loss. She could hardly wait to get started.

There were no buildings along the route. No civilization sprouted in this primitive

location. It was just the trams, the clients, and the few staff escorting the women to the compound amid hibiscus flowers, jeweled bushes, and brightly colored birds singing from the sheltered safety of high-hanging branches.

She lay back against the comfortable seat, closed her eyes, and immediately tuned in on the conversation going on between the two women in the seat ahead of her. She’d

nicknamed them Huey and Dewy for their resemblance to her favorite, old-time cartoon

characters. Both had soft platinum curls piled high over their foreheads. Their bodies looked soft and fluffy as marshmallows, and the bright orange lipstick they sported made their mouths look like a duck’s beak.

“I just know this program will enable me to take the weight off and keep it off this time.” Huey twittered, clasping her chubby hands over her breasts. “I wonder if that juicy director is part of the fantasy fulfillment.”

Dewy snickered. “I should have known you’d be ogling that man. Though I must say,