Wild Fantasy

Unfortunately, Nicole’s opinion on the matter hadn’t mattered much. While her relationship with Jonathan had been more comfortable than exciting and she’d enjoyed his company and intellect, he, too, had harbored certain expectations of her…and she’d fallen short. Like everyone else in her family, he hadn’t approved of her business venture, or her ideals, and he resented the time she’d devoted to All Seasons Outdoor Adventures. While there had been some relief attached to their breakup, it had also served as a painful reminder of how men found her independence and ambition too intimidating.

And then there had been her parents’ astounded reaction over her split with Jonathan to contend with, especially her father’s disappointment. He’d held her responsible for driving away such a prominent, solid prospect in lieu of pursuing what he referred to as a man’s business. The entire incident had been yet another in a long string of disappointments for him.

But despite her past, and despite deeper, unsettled yearnings inside her now, she wasn’t about to give up her hard-won independence for anyone. Not even Mitch. Occasional playful flirtations she could handle and walk away from, and so long as she didn’t allow her encounters with Mitch to escalate beyond harmless, teasing fun, she’d be just fine.

With that lecture assuaging her mind, and feeling more in control of herself and her response to Mitch, she decided on a club sandwich and an iced tea, then placed her menu on the table to await their server. The four of them ordered their meals, and once the waiter moved on to a nearby table, Nicole picked up her linen napkin, spread it on her lap and regarded both of their mothers with extreme interest.

“So, what was so important that the four of us needed to have lunch together?” she asked.

The older women exchanged an excited look, then pinned their gazes on their respective children. Rhea was the first to speak. “We asked you two here today to ask for your help in aiding our charity work for Breast Cancer Awareness.”

Mitch immediately sat up straight in his chair. His dark brown eyes, the color of rich chocolate, glimmered with concern as his gaze honed in on his mother. “Is everything okay, Mom?”

Nicole waited for Joyce’s reply as well, knowing how crucial Mitch’s question actually was. Seven years ago Mitch’s mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. While she’d recovered and had been in remission for years, there was always the chance of a reoccurrence. Nicole knew this all too well, since her mother’s sister, Andrea, had passed away from the disease. Her mother and Joyce had met at an emotional-support group and had been best friends ever since. In their spare time, which they both had a surplus of, they raised money and awareness for their favorite charity.

“I’m perfectly fine, Mitch.” A bright smile reassured both of them of her exemplary health, and Mitch’s relief was nearly palpable. “This request isn’t for me specifically, but for the organization as a whole.”

As the waiter delivered their drinks, Mitch sat back in his chair. The knit collared shirt he wore molded to his well-defined chest and toned biceps, and the bronze hue brought out flecks of gold in his dark irises. “You know I’ll do anything I can to support your charities.”

Joyce’s face softened with maternal affection. For a woman in her late fifties and having endured many hardships, including the loss of her husband, she still looked beautiful and vibrant. “I knew I could count on you, honey,” she said, patting her son’s hand.

“You know I’ll do the same, Mom.” Nicole squeezed her wedge of lemon into her iced tea and stirred the liquid with her straw. “What do you need? A donation from All Seasons, or help in sponsoring a certain event?”

“You know I appreciate the offer,” Rhea said as she brought her cup of hot tea to her lips for a dainty sip of her favorite herbal blend, “but this is something we’d like the two of you to do for us and the organization.”

She and Mitch exchanged a perplexed look. Witnessing the bewilderment in the depths of his eyes, Nicole knew he had no idea what was going on, either. Their server arrived with their lunch order, and while he placed various dishes around the table and made certain everyone was satisfied with their meal, Nicole contemplated her mother’s odd and very nebulous comment.

Mitch was the first to question it. “Mind sharing the details of this arrangement with us?”

“Of course.” Joyce laughed lightly and dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Rhea and I came across an advertisement in the Denver Post publicizing a high-profile charity event and we immediately thought how perfect it would be if the two of you represented our organization.”

Nicole took a bite of her club sandwich, feeling a setup of some sort coming on, but she was too intrigued by whatever elaborate plan their mothers had concocted to waylay their intentions until she’d heard everything. A quick glance at Mitch confirmed that he was equally curious to hear what this charity event was all about and what their involvement would entail.

“Go on,” Mitch drawled.

Rhea stabbed a cherry tomato in her salad with her fork and continued where Joyce had left off. “There’s this island resort off the Florida Keys called Wild Fantasy, and they’re hosting an annual charity contest. The grand prize is one hundred thousand dollars that will be donated to the charities or organizations that the winners specify.”

“And you want us to try to win that money?” Mitch guessed.

Joyce nodded enthusiastically, causing her silky, frosted hair to skim her smooth jawline. “Exactly. According to the rules in the ad, in order to participate in the contest the guests have to be single and willing to compete in a variety of events and competitions against one another to accumulate points and win one of three cash prizes.”

“Sounds right up my alley,” Nicole said, completely hooked on the idea. “And I definitely qualify on both accounts.”

Mitch shot her a humorous glance. “Yup. You’re single and you’re definitely competitive.”

She grinned sassily and wrinkled her nose at him. “And proud of both accomplishments, I might add.” Indeed, growing up she’d honed those competitive skills all in an attempt to capture a smidgeon of the attention and approval her father had lavished on her brother. While her efforts hadn’t gained her what she’d ultimately sought, they had made her a stronger, more independent person, as well as ensuring that she was always up for a challenge.

“Actually, you’re both more than qualified, as well as our best chance at winning the money for the organization.” Reaching into the bread basket for a roll, Joyce broke it open and slathered butter on the two pieces. “But this is more than a competition and charity event—it’s also a vacation package. So either way you two should have a good time.”

Mitch stopped his forkful of pasta halfway to his mouth as he stared at his mother. “Care to explain the vacation part of this?”

Joyce waved a hand between them, as if the details of that were insignificant. “Wild Fantasy first and foremost caters to guests’ fantasies,” she explained. “And while Fantasies, Inc. is sponsoring the event, the guests who participate will be treated to all the regular amenities the island and resort has to offer in their vacation packages. According to the brochures and information Rhea and I picked up from our travel agent, this place is a virtual paradise.”

Nicole considered all the decadent possibilities inherent in a personal fantasy and knew she wouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to indulge in a week of fun, sun and pure relaxation…and competitive games with Mitch.

“Sounds great to me,” she said, making up her mind. “I haven’t taken a vacation in over a year, so I’m sure I can work out something with Guy and get another guide to cover for me while I’m gone.” She glanced at Mitch to gauge his response and to see what he’d decided, but he remained quiet and contemplative.

Rhea lifted her leather bag onto her lap and dug through the contents, withdrawing two separate folders. She handed one to Nicole and the other to Mitch, who reluctantly accepted the portfolio. “Since there are only a limited number of single guests allowed on the island to participate in the charity event, and we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss out on this opportunity, we took the liberty of purchasing both of your airfares to Florida, along with your vacation package on Wild Fantasy. There’s a questionnaire and application inside your folders requesting personal information that you’ll each need to fill out before you get to the island.”

Nicole thumbed through the colorful brochure, fascinated with everything the resort offered and promised their guests. Then she came to the questionnaire her mother had mentioned and the tempting phrase, Where anything goes and anything is possible, jumped out at her, as did the intimate question, What is your fantasy?

She bit her bottom lip in thought. If she was taking into consideration forbidden, erotic fantasies, the sinfully virile man sitting beside her fit the bill. Mitch Lassiter had been a part of her most private erotic desires for years, stealing into her dreams and fulfilling some of her most seductive fantasies in the darkest part of the night.

But beyond her favored sexual fantasy, there was something emotional she craved, a secret wish she’d harbored deep inside since she was a little girl. Unexpectedly, her chest tightened with insecurities she’d sworn she’d banished years ago when it had become apparent that she’d never live up to her father’s expectations as her brother, Robert, always so effortlessly did. She’d given up trying to please her father and lived her life according to her own rules and expectations. Yet there was still that little girl within the strong, independent woman who wanted his approval instead of criticism. Just once.

Win or lose, she wanted to be appreciated for who she was and not for what she accomplished. That was her fantasy.

Her fantasy was simple, yet so intangible it was almost impossible to grant. But that wouldn’t stop her from putting the request in writing—for her own personal, private reflection, not to be shared with anyone else.

Closing her folder, she met her mother’s expectant gaze. “I’m game for a wild fantasy.” Grinning, she turned toward the man beside her to gauge his response. “How about you, Mitchell?”

He shook his head regretfully. “Mom, I know how important this is to you, but I can’t just up and leave the business for a spontaneous vacation.”

“Sure you can,” she refuted, placing her fork on her plate. “I already spoke to your brother, and he’d be happy to handle things for a week.”

Mitch’s dark brows creased into a deep vee at that bit of information.

“Quit frowning,” his mother scolded gently. “I know you don’t like me meddling in your business, but Drew agreed it was high time you took a vacation, since you haven’t done so since your father passed away. And that was over eight years ago.”

With a heavy sigh that echoed his hesitancy, he pushed his fingers through his thick, sable hair, mussing the strands in a way Nicole found incredibly sexy. Heck, everything about the man was inherently masculine and sensually exciting, enticing her in ways she had little defense against.

“I’ve been busy,” he said, his tone a shade defensive.

“Exactly.” Caring and kindness permeated Joyce’s gentle voice. “Busy supporting me and putting both your brother and sister through college. What about doing something for yourself for a change? And in turn, you can do something great for our organization, too.”

A startling warmth inundated Nicole, along with respect and admiration for Mitch and the responsibility he’d taken on since his father’s death. He’d obviously abandoned his own wants and needs for his family’s, yet he gave no indication that he begrudged the sacrifices he’d made to support them. It was difficult for Nicole to imagine her brother in the same position, making the same selfless choices, when he’d always thought of no one but himself.

She watched Mitch waver in his decision, looking way too serious when it was clear his mother desperately wanted him to relax and enjoy himself, away from work and obligations. Playing and having a good time was something Nicole knew how to do with flair. Having fun with Mitch, tempting and teasing him and driving him to distraction on a private island away from prying eyes, suddenly held a whole lot of appeal.

“Aw, come on, Mitchell,” she cajoled in a sultry tone of voice that snared his attention and made him lift an inquiring brow her way. “Sounds like fun, don’t you think?” Slipping off her sandal, she slid her bare foot beneath the hem of his pant leg and rubbed his muscled calf with her toes, teasing him. “Or maybe you’re worried you’ll come in second against me in competition.”

The unmistakable dare hung between them. His gaze narrowed with a distinct but discreet message only she could decipher: she was playing with fire. In more ways than one. In her estimation there was nothing wrong with playing with his brand of sensual heat when she had no intention of getting close enough to the flame to get burned.

Yet scorch her he did when he caught the underside of her knee with his long, warm fingers before she could move her leg away. A sizzling spark ignited and flared upward. She intercepted a startled gasp before it had the chance to escape her throat, then had to swallow a groan of pleasure when he grazed the smooth flesh in the ultrasensitive curve behind her knee. With Mitch’s help, she’d just discovered an erogenous zone she never knew existed.

And the wholly satisfied gleam in the depth of his golden-brown eyes told her he knew exactly what he was doing to her. Knew that with just a bit more pressure in the right place, she’d be putty in his hands.

She was beginning to realize what a formidable opponent Mitch was when provoked. She had no choice but to silently endure his blatant caresses and her body’s feverish response to his touch or risk a scuffle under the table that would bring too much unwanted attention to their private battle of wills. So, with concentrated effort, she remained outwardly unruffled—a talent she’d perfected at a very early age—and waited for him to acknowledge her deliberate challenge.