CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Cassandra
The moment I opened the door I recognized the woman standing there as Genevieve St. Claire; Paradiso cofounder and world-renowned sexologist who had penned the online article I’d read about Yoni Massage.
The picture that I’d seen online did not do her justice. She was tall and thin, beautiful, elegantly dressed in a designer pants suit and silk blouse, adorned with diamonds and pearls that probably cost more than I made in a year as an attorney. She gave me a polite smile and stuck out her hand for me to shake. Even in the California summer heat, her hand was cold as ice.
“Miss Casey, I’m Genevieve St. Claire,” she said in a French accent that only served to make her more regal. “May we speak?”
I blinked at her for a moment, then let go of her hand and stepped aside to let her in. “Yes, I’m sorry, please, come in.”
I closed the door and followed her into the suite and offered her a seat on the sofa, which she politely refused. I forced a smile and said, “I’m sorry, you just surprised me. I didn’t expect to meet—“
“I don’t mean to be rude, Miss Casey,” she said, holding up her hands to cut me off. “And I regret the need to be blunt, but time is of the essence. We have a problem that only you can resolve.”
“Me?” The smile faded under the weight of a frown. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“You were chosen to be The One last night,” she said, narrowing her blue eyes until they burned into mine like tiny laser beams.
“Yes… I… I’m sorry, what is this about?”
“You’re being used, Miss Casey,” she said flatly in perfect English. “And I’m concerned how that will affect the rest of our guests and the reputation of Paradiso. And the credibility of Devin himself.”
The little hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Bad news was ahead. The lawyer in me could feel it coming from a mile away. I set my jaw and gave her a nod. “Please, be as blunt as you need to be, Miss St. Claire. I assure you I can take it.”
“I’m afraid Devin McMasters is… well… let’s just say he is going through some personal issues that seem to be blurring his sensibilities. The last few sessions he has chosen one woman—The One—to focus his attention and energy on, to the detriment of his other guests. The One is chosen to be a symbol to the other women, to formally start the festivities of the weekend.”
“Like a virgin sacrifice,” I said snidely. She gave me a blank expression. I held up my hands. “I’m sorry, please, go on.”
“Yes, well, The One should receive a Yoni Massage and be sent on her way. Lately, however, Devin has chosen to have sex with the woman, which is strictly forbidden, and he ignores everyone else the rest of the weekend. Come Monday, the woman who thought she truly might be the one for Devin ends up with her heart broken and self-respect in pieces. Because once the weekend is over, Miss Casey, Devin will never speak to her—to you—again.”
“You said it was a problem only I could resolve.”
“Yes, I’m afraid that’s the case.”
I sat on the edge of the bed with my hands clasped in my lap, listening to her words but not wanting to hear them. If she was lying she was doing a damn good job of it. I could usually spot a lie even as it left someone’s lips. Her body language was solid, unflinching. Her tone without waver. She was telling the truth. And it explained a lot. Devin didn’t realize we had history when he chose me to be The One. He was already touching me sexually before I realized who he was. Son of a bitch. There was no real connection there. It was all about sex. Just sex. The time we spent together before, whatever memory was made, whatever connection I might have felt, was just smoke and mirrors to the great Devin McMasters.
“What should I do?” I asked quietly, swiping a knuckle under my eyes.
“You have to leave, my dear,” she said firmly. She put a hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I have a car waiting for you at the side entrance that will ferry you home. And if you are the self-respecting young woman that I believe you to be, you will never speak to Devin McMasters again. I am sincerely sorry that he used you in such a horrid manner. I can only hope that you received some satisfaction from his actions, however ill-intentioned they turned out to be.”
“Yes, thank you, I understand… I’ll pack right away.”
She gave my shoulder another squeeze, then started for the door. With her hand on the knob, she turned back to say, “I will try to get Devin the help he needs, Miss Casey. I’m afraid it’s up to you to help yourself.”