Zero Control

THE TOUR BUS TOOK THEM to the Eros resort just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. Stubborn gray clouds hung in the sky, and even inside the bus the air smelled of impending rain and city soot. The driver wore rain boots and had a black umbrella stashed under the dashboard. Dougal sat up front behind the driver and narrated the sights as they motored through the crowded streets of downtown London. Outside the window the landscape looked just like in the pictures and movies she’d seen. Imagine. She was here. England.

Roxie found herself sitting across from twin sisters, while the seat beside her remained empty. That was just fine with her. She didn’t need a traveling companion, but then she thought wistfully of Stacy and wished her sister could have joined her on this adventure.

Yeah, drag your sister along while you commit corporate espionage. What fun. Not exactly the actions of a stellar role model.

A fresh stab of conscience had Roxie worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. If Stacy’s entire future didn’t depend on her salary, she’d call off the whole thing.

“Hi,” said the twin sitting on the outside seat. She extended her hand across the aisle to Roxie. “I’m Samantha, but everyone calls me Sam.”

The other twin leaned over her sister to extend her own hand. “And I’m Jessica, but everyone calls me Jess.”

She shook their hands. “Hi, Sam, hi, Jess. I’m Roxie.”

“Nice to meet you, Roxie,” Sam and Jess said in unison.

The twins were gorgeous, their elegant thinness a sharp contrast to Roxie’s rounded curves. They possessed matching noses so perfect Roxie wondered if rhinoplasty was involved, and they had high, dramatic cheekbones enhanced by artful application of blush. They looked as if they’d stepped from the cover of a fashion magazine with their stylish bobbed blond hair and designer jeans. Beside them, she felt frumpy and out of place in her summery yellow sundress.

Sam leaned across the aisle and lowered her voice. “You are so lucky.”

“Lucky?”

“You got to sit next to Shakespeare for the entire flight.” Jess nodded toward Dougal.

Roxie hadn’t felt lucky, she’d felt…what had she felt? Unsettled was the best adjective she could come up with. “I guess there’s an upside to traveling alone. The tour guides take pity on you.”

“So tell us,” Sam breathed. “What’s he like?”

Roxie shrugged. “He’s just a guy.”

Jess’s eyes widened as if she’d said something blasphemous. “Oh, no, he’s not just a guy. Look at the muscles on him. And those aren’t pretty-boy, gym-induced muscles. This guy does something rugged. Rock climbing, I’m guessing.”

They all three turned to look at Dougal. He was busy pointing out Big Ben.

Yes, okay, the guy was gorgeous, but jeez, people. It wasn’t as if they could take him home and handcuff him to their bed or anything.

Although Jess and Sam looked as if they wouldn’t mind giving it a try.

“Skiing,” Sam said. “You got a guess, Roxie? Or do you already know our hunky tour guide’s sport of choice?”

Roxie cocked her head and studied him—the pugilistic set to his shoulders, the broadness of his chest, and she’d already seen the scars on his knuckles. “Boxing?”

“Ooh.” Jess giggled. “Astute observation. I’ll bet you’re right.”

At that moment, Dougal turned his head and stared straight at Roxie. Awareness buzzed through her body. His eyes burned black, hot. Unable to bear the scrutiny, she fumbled his gaze.

“Mmm, mmm.” Jess made a noise of appreciation. “That man is sweet.”

“How come you’re traveling alone?” Jess asked Roxie, after she and her sister were finished ogling Dougal. “Did a friend stand you up?”

Roxie shook her head. “I needed a private getaway.”

“Ah.” Sam nodded. “Busted romance.”

Roxie started to correct her, but then decided to let Sam believe what she wanted to believe. She simply gave her a smile that said, “I’m putting up a brave front.”

“You poor thing,” Jess said. “I went through a breakup six months ago. It’s hard, but you know what? Honestly, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“It is.” Sam nodded. “After Jess caught her fiancé doing the bedroom rumba with another woman just days before the wedding, she became a lot more assertive, and as a result of her changing attitude she got a big promotion at work.”

“I stopped looking for love and just started having fun,” Jess said. “Freed me up like you wouldn’t believe.”

“I’m envious of the easy way you approach romance.” Roxie shifted her weight, did her best not to look in Dougal’s direction.

“Oh, believe me,” Jess said, “this is not about romance. This is about nothing but hot, hot sex.”

The self-satisfied note in Jess’s voice plucked a twinge of envy inside Roxie. In all honesty, she’d never been overly impressed with sex. Maybe she’d just never done it correctly.

“You’ve never had a casual fling?” Jess asked.

Roxie shook her head.

“Seriously, woman. It’s the most liberating thing in the world. Discovering your sexual power, knowing it doesn’t have to lead to anything more than it is. Glorious. Freeing.”

“Really?”

“As long as you keep your heart out of the fray, and you’re with the right guy, it can be mind-blowing.”

“How do you keep your heart out of the fray?”

“That is a good question and it’s important to prepare for it.”

“I’m listening.”

“First off, don’t swap too many personal details about each other. No sharing intimate secrets. If you learn a lot of little details about each other, the next thing you know you start caring about them. That’s not so good for a healthy casual fling,” Jess advised.

“Thanks for the advice.”

Sam reached over to touch Roxie on the shoulder. “Hey, since you’re all by yourself would you like to hang out with Jess and me? We’d love to have you.”

The invitation shouldn’t have pleased her as much as it did, and she should have thought of a graceful way to bow out. She didn’t need to pal around with anyone on the tour. The more inconspicuous she made herself, the better. But she was flattered. More than that, she wanted to hang out with Jess and Sam. They seemed like a lot of fun.

“We understand if you say no,” Jess hurried to add. “Since you’ve caught the attention of our tour guide. He hasn’t stopped looking at you this entire ride. You might want to spend your time hanging out with him.”

Roxie didn’t dare turn her head to meet his stare. “I’m not interested in a romance.”

“Who said anything about a romance?” Jess made a purring noise. “I’d just love to have a fling with him. If you’re really not interested that is.”

Roxie couldn’t bring herself to say that she wasn’t interested. There was that damned jealousy again. Illogical and annoying.