Free Pleasure Island by T.G. Haynes Page A

approve?’
    Nikki tried her best to downplay how impressed she was. ‘It’ll do, I suppose.’
    ‘There’s a shower through there,’ Matt informed her, pointing out where the en-suite was, ‘and there’s a TV built into the wardrobe.’
    ‘I’d be disappointed if I needed it,’ she said.
    ‘So would I. Entertainment is always better live, wouldn’t you agree?’
    ‘Depends on what it is,’ she mused.
    ‘Touché. I just hope that this evening’s entertainment will meet with your approval.’
    ‘What does the princess have in mind exactly?’
    ‘As Fridays tend to be her visitors’ first night here, Roxanna likes to hold a party for all of the guests down in the main banqueting hall.’
    ‘I’m not alone this weekend, then?’
    ‘No. Roxanna has invited a couple of her old friends along as well,’ he explained. ‘I think she thought that it might be less intimidating for you and that you could see what goes on for yourself, instead of having to ask a barrage of questions.’
    Checking her watch, Nikki asked, ‘What time does the entertainment start?’
    ‘If you’re down in the main reception by 7.30, say. Now, is there anything else I can do for you before I go and prepare for this evening?’
    ‘Such as …?’
    Oozing with confidence and sex appeal, Matt strode over to her, leant down, and whispered in her ear, ‘Anything.’
    Nikki pulled away from him and rolled her eyes innocently. ‘Hmm, let me see …’ She pretended to contemplate his offer for a few seconds and then, as if the thought had only just occurred to her, said, ‘You could fix me a black coffee.’
    ‘Is that all?’ His voice betrayed more than a hint of disappointment.
    ‘For now,’ she said.
    He bowed, ‘I’ll have one sent up right away.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    Matt went to leave. Nikki stopped him with a final query, ‘By the way, tonight, what shall I wear?’
    ‘I don’t suppose you brought that red dress with you?
    ‘The one I wore the night of the Earl’s ball?’
    Matt nodded.
    ‘I’m afraid not. It was only a loan and I had to give it back,’ she explained.
    Matt appraised her with an expert eye and hazarded a guess. ‘Size 12?’
    ‘Spot on.’
    ‘I’ll see what I can dig out for you.’
    After he left, Nikki unpacked her bags. Just as she finished, there came a knock at the door. She opened it to find another member of staff standing there with the drink she had requested. She also found that Matt hadn’t been lying to her about the uniform being standard, for the man at the door was dressed in exactly the same attire.
    ‘Hello, I’m Dylan. Matt told me you wanted a black coffee.’
    ‘Thanks,’ Nikki said, holding the door open for him. He entered the room and placed the coffee down on the table. As he did so, she couldn’t help admiring the way that his leather shorts clung to his bottom. Though Dylan was slightly slimmer than Matt, he still had that “calendar hunk” look about him.
    ‘Is there anything else I can get you?’ he asked.
    ‘No, thank you.’
    ‘Give us a call if you change your mind,’ he said. ‘There’s a phone on the dresser for contacting our concierge service – just dial zero.’
    ‘Thanks for the tip.’
    Dylan flipped a casual salute and departed. Once alone, Nikki paced around her room. She still couldn’t quite believe that she was actually there, on Roxanna’s private island. Deciding it was time to explore her new accommodation, she stuck her head around the door of the bathroom and discovered an enormous tub in there. She decided that she probably had enough time for a good soak before the evening’s entertainment began. As she ran the bathwater, she wondered what the night would bring.
    While the water filled the tub, Nikki examined the choice of scented bath gels that had been arranged on its rim, near the taps. Opting for one called Peaches and Cream, she drizzled a smidgen of the liquid into the flow of water. An impressive cluster of bubbles