Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(19)

“You don’t think that’s a good idea?” I ask.

“I think Olivia has fallen head over heels in love with Axel, but I know my friend, and she is loyal to her family. She is so duty-bound to do what’s right for her family that she will marry her father’s choice to make everyone around her happy while sacrificing herself in the process,” Ivy explains.

“Why does she have to marry the other guy? Why can’t she say no?” I ask, confused.

“Olivia is royalty on her English and French side. Her family owns a slew of castles and chateaus around Europe. She runs her family’s empire because her father ran it into the ground. She turned the company around from being almost bankrupt to one of the top estates in Europe. She did it all on her own. When no one else in her family could, it was all her. She gave up her life to live in the countryside to help her family. She’s sacrificed so much already in her life, I hate that she’s doing it again.”

I love how loyal, passionate, and articulate she is talking about her best friend.

“Sorry, that was a bit of a rant,” she says with a giggle.

“I’m all ears. Sounds like you needed to get it off your chest,” I tell her.

“Seems like I did,” she agrees, shaking her head, relieving the tension.

“I get it. My friend, Jasper, he’s royal too. He runs his family’s country estate, and he, too, has given up so much to help resurrect his family’s legacy after his father gambled it all away,” I confess.

“People who you think have the entire world at their feet are genuinely the most complicated,” she muses, and I couldn’t agree more.

“Lucky, they have us then,” I reply, hopefully cheering her up a little.

“This is true. Why do I always spill my innermost thoughts to you? You must think I’m crazy?” she jokes.

“I like it,” I tell her.

“Maybe you’re the crazy one.”

“Could be,” I declare while giving her a wink which makes her smile.

“Okay, so where’s this tour you promised me?” She changes the subject with a smile.

“Right away, milady.” I grin. “So, the island is split into sections. There are the beginner, intermediate, and expert areas. Just like the clubs, which you probably don’t know about as you haven’t been there,” I say, scratching my head. “Nate organized the clubs like this as he wanted people to feel comfortable in whatever they wanted from their experience at The Paradise Club, no matter their sexual desires. He didn’t want people who were new to the scene being scared off by the experts, and he didn’t want the beginners to get in the way of the experts, either,” I explain while she nods in understanding.

“Each section of the island has signs indicating what zone level you are entering. Like … look over there,” I say, pointing to the white sign attached to a coconut tree. “We are heading into the beginner area. Now, just because it’s the beginner’s zone does not mean it’s tame. When you see a black sign, that’s for the intermediate people and red is for the experts,” I explain. “He’s also designed sections for couples only … they have their own pool and bar area. Not everyone wants to party all night. Some couples come here to explore with each other while others might want to be a little kinkier and swap or do whatever they want to. There’s no pressure on them. This is all about couples having the kind of experience they want. Then there’s a single’s area where it becomes a little wilder … being more of the party zone atmosphere. Couples can go into the single’s zone, but singles must be asked by a couple to interact in their zone. Also, if you haven’t noticed already, clothing is optional at the resort but is a necessity near food.”

“Nothing puts you off your food like a pair of saggy balls in your face.” Ivy giggles.

Those words are so true.

“There are also spaces where people can go and watch or be seen. Not sure if you’ve been to the beach, but there are some clear glass showers, and they are for the exhibitionists to do their thing and for other people to watch if they so wish.”

“Have you ever had someone watch you?” she asks.

“Yeah, I’ve had sex in public spaces before at the club but usually because the woman wants to,” I tell her.

“You’re not self-conscious?”

“I’m probably too preoccupied to notice. There’s also a thrill of being with a beautiful woman knowing men are watching on, wishing they were the ones with her. Male egos, you know,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

“Oh, I just saw a sign for a waterfall. Could we go check it out?” Ivy asks.

“For sure, it’s so beautiful. Nate showed me images of what he had designed. I think there’s a grotto with a jacuzzi behind the waterfall or something like that.”

“Ooh, sounds like fun.”





7





IVY





The last person I ever expected to see on my walk today was Alex. And the last thing I ever expected was for me to pour my guts out to him again. What is it with this guy that I can’t seem to keep what’s inside my head from spilling out of my mouth? And yet he thinks it’s cute?

Is that a red flag?