Two days. Two days? Had it really been two days since she'd seen Lucas? Sara strolled along the beach, occasionally picking up an interesting shell or stone but mostly just enjoying the fresh air and amazing beauty of the place. Oh, she wasn't complaining about his absence... more like confused. Their last "interlude" had left Sara sexually satisfied and emotionally mortified.
At least 12 times over the last 2 days she had wished it had just been Lucas with her on that patio. She might even have remembered it fondly, sort of, if that had been the case. It was erotic and it was certainly among the best sex she had ever had. Instead, she had spent 2 days ducking and dodging Gage in an effort to avoid the embarrassment of seeing the young man again. Embarrassment and anger.
It wasn't like Sara didn't realize men had sexually feelings toward her. Of course she knew that... the sexual appetites and motivations of men were things of legend, were they not? She wasn't an idiot. But she had still clung to the hope that some men, somewhere, actually enjoyed being around her for reasons other than the potential for fucking. Then again, perhaps this wasn't the place to expect to find those men, Sara thought. No, this was the place to remember what Lucas' whispered to her in her bed that night. Any man... hell maybe any person... on this island wanted "in her pants" as her college girlfriends would have said. There was little use in staying angry about it, she knew that. All she was doing was making herself crazy, but damn that man all to hell for needing to prove that around here her worth lie solely between her legs.
Sara turned and headed back toward the villa with purpose. She wasn't about to seek Gage out, but she wasn't going to hide anymore either. She had survived seeing Ben again after her forced "performance" in the limo, she would survive the embarrassment of seeing Gage as well. After all, SHE hadn't violated HIM, now had she? No, she was going back with her head held high. It was lunch time and, dammit, she was hungry.
For all her bravado, Sara let out a sigh of relief when she opened her patio gate to see her lunch already laid out for her. Even from afar it looked delicious and Sara once again experienced that bizarre mix of wonder, gratitude and resentment she had been feeling since the moment she set foot on the property. Did her enjoyment and appreciation of the delicious food...and all of the other amazing benefits of being on this island...in someway make her a whore? She really hoped not, but then again, since no one here cared if she was or not (and she would go to her grave before she ever told ANYONE else what had happened on this island) Sara supposed the only person's opinion that matter was her own. She was sure she would be giving it some more thought, whether she wanted to or not.
All of those emotions were however immediately wiped away as she reached the table and found Lucas' note:
"Good afternoon, Ms. Samms. I apologize for my absence of the last few days. I trust you were able to find worthy pursuits to fill your time. This evening you shall have the pleasure of my company, as we are expected at an event. You will find your evening's outfit in the closet later this afternoon. Someone will be by at 5:30 to help you get ready, I will collect you at 7. I strongly suggest you be ready on time. I look forward to enjoying you this evening."
A knot formed in Sara's belly and she felt more than a little tingling south of there. How could he do that with just a note? She tried very hard not to focus on the "I look forward to enjoying you" part of the note and decided instead to be thankful that it had not read "I look forward to sharing you tonight." Anything was possible she knew, but a girl could hope.
After forcing herself to enjoy the lunch, Sara went to the gym to work off some of her anxiety. She noted with some pleasure that her body was benefiting from the good food, loads of exercise and sunshine she was getting. Looking at her face in the mirror, Sara also had to admit that the dark circles she had come to accept as part of her face had almost entirely disappeared. She may be whoring herself out at this point, but apparently it agreed with her Sara thought and caused herself to giggle out loud. "I am really losing it," she said to her smiling reflection. It felt good to be lighthearted for a few minutes.
Biting the proverbial bullet, upon returning to her room Sara headed straight to her closet. What she found inside didn't leave her feeling lighthearted... but neither did it repulse her. Instead, it left her conflicted. What had been laid out for her was a version of "the little black" dress, with an emphasis on little, and a pair of black stilettos that were at least three inches higher than she would chose for herself. But, all-in-all, it didn't look like it was going to be too bad... at least it was better than she had imagined. Of course, those were the only two items she was to wear.
The next hour was spent getting ready. Sara's "help" arrived as promised in the form of Aaron, a very young, very gay man who announced he was there to do her hair and make-up and she had damn well better get that fine behind in the shower if he was going to have time to do anything remotely presentable with her!
Well, I'll be damned, Sara thought. Perhaps there is one person on this island that didn't want to fuck her? And with that she found herself breaking out in giggles again.
An hour later, Sara's hair was beautifully swept up off of her neck and her face looked radiant with just the most subtle touches of make-up. Looking in the mirror she was genuinely surprised at how lovely she looked.
"Stop your gawking and let's get you into this dress," Aaron ordered good-naturedly, returning from the closet. "Now stand up so I can get you into this without screwing up all my hard work. Put the shoes on first so you don't have to bend over once you're dressed.Sara did as he asked and the dress slid down over her; the silky fabric caressing her sun-kissed skin.
Much to her discontent however, there was a lot less fabric than she would have liked. The dress was completely backless, and in fact was so low in the back that the very top of her ass was exposed. In the front, it was a halter design that cut clear down to her navel. The halter parts of the top were just wide enough to cover three quarters of her breasts, the result being a great deal of exposure on the sides. The skirt of the dress was full length but had slits up both sides that came all the way up to Sara's hips, leaving precariously little fabric to hold the entire thing together. The effect was as Sara should have guessed it would be. While clothed, she might as well have been naked. She was covered but every part of her was accessible to Lucas... or anyone.
Aaron let out a low whistle. "Jesus honey, that leaves damn little to the imagination now doesn't it?" he asked completely rhetorically.
Sara stared at herself in the mirror and again she was conflicted. The woman in the mirror looked... well... hot. There was no way around it and there was no denying to herself that she felt a little thrill to know that was her. But, jesus, there was no way she wanted to go out of the house like this! How could he expect her to go to an "event", where presumably there would be people for godsake, in this outfit?
"He's absolutely crazy, I can't wear this!" Sara exclaimed.
Aaron laughed. "Crazy? No. Mr Charles is a lot of things but crazy is not one of them. He just likes what he likes. Oh, and he likes others to like what he likes," he said with a sly smile. "And right now, Mr. Charles likes you and all of your assets. I suspect he will be very happy with the way that fits."
As if summoned by the mere mention of him, Sara's bedroom door opened and she watched in the mirror as Lucas filled the doorway.
"Aaron," he said, tilting his head in acknowledgment of the man.
"Evening, Lucas," Aaron said as he gathered his things and turned to leave. "I hope you will enjoy your evening."
As the other man sauntered from the room closing the door behind him, Lucas turned his full attention to Sara. She slowly turned to face him and immediately felt her heart rate increase, her legs trembling slightly in the ridiculously high heels. In a simple black suit and tie, he looked sophisticated, debonair and, extremely dangerous. Sara reached out and grabbed the top of a chair to steady herself. The look in Lucas' eyes was nothing short of predatory.