Chapter Five
Mason was still thinking about that sweet little blonde from the terminal when they arrived in their luxurious suite and put their bags away.
“What is going on with you, man?” Wade laughed at him. “You’ve had this ridiculous grin on your face since we boarded. I’ve seriously never seen that expression before—except for maybe that summer we turned fourteen and you finally lost your virginity to Lucy Van Meyer.”
He threw one of the tiny liquor bottles from the mini bar at Wade’s head before that damned smile was back on his face once again.
“I don’t know—I think I met someone, I mean … I saw someone.” He stumbled uncharacteristically with the words. “It was a girl. I saw her as we were going through security. There was something different about her, something special, I think.”
“Special … how?” Wade froze as his mind no doubt jumped to the same conclusion that Mason’s had.
That it was possible that the sweet little curvy blonde who smiled so innocently at him … was his mate.
“I’m not sure, but I aim to find out.” Mason’s smile moved from awestruck into a grin he used for seduction. “The attendant said she was in the employee line, but since most of them should have already boarded hours ago, she must have been taking the cruise as a sensual volunteer.”
“Well, lucky us. Let’s go and take a look around—I’ve got a tip already. One of the porters mentioned something about an exclusive wristband we can purchase for extra cash up front that means we don’t have to pay for anything in the clubs.”
Mason stopped short and stared at his friend, “But we don’t offer any kind of program like that—everything is supposed to be charged to the guest’s room.”
“Exactly.” Wade looked smug. “When I tipped him a fifty, he said we’re supposed to find the events coordinator named Serena, she’s a cheetah. He said to ask the bartender for her tonight at the Diamond Club.”
Mason’s mind was already trying to calculate how much money was getting pocketed by whoever was running this wristband scam. It would have to be someone in the top tier of management to even be able to pull off something like this, but they needed more information out of this Serena woman first.
They both changed into shorts and t-shirts and made their way up to the pool deck to enjoy the sunshine and ocean air while the boat left the harbor.
“Why haven’t we taken one of these cruises before?” Wade asked as they walked by a scantily-clad female who smiled and winked at him.
The general pool area was filled with people, some already lounging in their shifted animal forms, enjoying the freedom of being away from humans. It was a rather bizarre scene when he thought about it. Tropical pool setting, cabanas filled with all sorts of large predators lying on lounge chairs next to sunbathers who were sitting enjoying their umbrella-decorated fruity drinks. Even he had to do a double take when they walked by another tiger lying in the sun, lapping at what appeared to be a huge bowl of Pina Colada.
“I’m not sure—perhaps we should wander over to the other side of the ship.” He smiled back at the women giving them inviting looks, but he still hadn’t seen the blonde from the terminal. “That’s where the outdoor fetish club is. I’ve heard it's quite extraordinary.”
“Lead the way.” Wade's eyes lit up with interest, and Mason felt some guilt that he hadn’t been accepting his friend’s invitations to go out and blow off some steam over the past few months.
Work just seemed to be getting away from him these days. Sometimes he would look up at the end of the day only to realize everyone else had gone home hours ago, and only he and the night security guards remained in the building. Mason loved running his parents’ company, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t want other things in life as well. He needed to listen more to those who tried to pull him back out into the world, instead of losing himself in his work.
They passed through the glass causeway that separated the two halves of the ship’s upper deck. The side they’d just left was filled with all kinds of recreation. Waterslides, surfing, hot tubs, several huge pools with bars, and a live band to entertain, but the deck area they were headed to now catered to a much more specific taste for entertainment. The mood instantly changed from that of a tropical holiday to a seductive retreat.
Most of the extensive deck was draped in flowing white material that billowed hypnotically in the sea air, and he could smell the light scent of exotic flowers and sweet fruit coming from the main bar. The sun shades let the light in but protected the patrons underneath, leaving them free to play without worrying too much about the sun, while also creating a more intimate feel in the space. There were cabanas set up with massage tables, others with lounge-style beds stacked with pillows, some simply with a few cozy chairs to sit and talk.
The attentive staff was milling about, serving drinks and food around the sparkling blue water of the swimming pool. On the far side of the water, the sun draping changed from white to a light gold, and underneath those covers was an elaborate display of various BDSM stations, many of which were in use by enthusiastic patrons.
“I take back anything bad I’ve ever said about your brother Simon,” Wade’s tone was awed. “Seems that his playboy ways certainly make him qualified to create a space to remember.”
“Indeed,” Mason muttered, trying to take in everything his eyes were seeing. It was a heady scene. He and Wade had frequented private fetish clubs many times and enjoyed the lighter side of BDSM with many partners, but this environment was so different from the dark clubs he was used to. Enjoying a taste of the lifestyle out in the open sun and warm summer air added another layer of decadence he hadn’t been expecting.
“Let’s split up and see if we can find out more about these wristbands.” Wade donned his sunglasses. “I’ll start on the other side of the bar.”
“I’ll bet you will.” Mason rolled his eyes when he spotted the large group of topless women who were enjoying some body shots from a very enthusiastic bartender. “Let me know if you find anything of note.”