“No, it’s not,” Victoria said. “It’s quite stalker-like. This was meant to be a women-only break.”
Jacob coughed from a bed at the opposite side of the room.
“You paint your nails and have more facials than me: you count as a female at this point.” Vic’s tone had turned from sleepy to pre-murder.
“I’m mortally wounded. And glad they’re here. You get into a range of a mood if you haven’t been fucked for three days, Vicky honey. I had brought an extra powerful vibrator for you as a gift, but I can use it myself.” Jacob sighed, a sound that suggested he was more than happy with the situation.
“Maxwell’s penis won’t be coming anywhere near me while we’re here.” Victoria sounded even sleepier. “He’s staying in the same room as Seph.”
“I give it less than twenty-four hours.” Claire didn’t sound like she was about to fall asleep. Entirely the opposite.
“Less than twelve. Doesn’t mean she’ll speak to him,” Jacob sat up.
My eyes took in his abs and pecs. It was a shame he wasn’t interested in boobs and vaginas as he was stunningly gorgeous.
“You’re seriously betting against my resolve?” Vic was still managing to sound indignant.
“One hundred percent.” Jacob sounded half asleep. “You tried this about five weeks ago when Max said something about some English queen or something and you flared up like a bad bout of the clap. You lasted about two days before you were getting dick withdrawals.”
“Three days.”
“Point proven.”
“I’m possibly betting on less than four.” Payton, another of Victoria’s future sister-in-laws chirped up. “And I wouldn’t be too concerned about Max cramping your style. I’ve seen their itinerary.”
Her boyfriend, Owen, was also one of Max’s rugby teammates.
“You knew about the men coming out here?” Victoria sat up, eyes blazing.
I stifled a laugh. This was entertainment gold.
“Sure,” Payton was completely unconcerned. “They booked it about three weeks after we did. I pretty much forgot about it, to be honest. But they’re definitely not going to be under your feet – they’ve got stuff planned all day every day.”
“Are any of them booked in for treatments?” I sat up. One of my spas in London was aimed at men, tapping into the whole metrosexual market, and a couple of the Callaghan crew did come in occasionally, mainly Seph and Elijah Ward, to use the steam rooms and massage facilities.
“Not sure. It isn’t Owen’s thing, although I know tomorrow evening is free so we can join up to swim in the lagoon and the hot springs.” Payton sounded drowsy. “Vanessa planned that in.”
I let Victoria’s voice drift into the background, the gentle temperature of the room lulling me off to sleep. It had been a busy few months and I hadn’t had my usual distraction of a man to take my mind off work occasionally. My ex-husband, who was still a silent partner in my business, had been seriously ill, and although our relationship was purely platonic, I’d been with him while he had various appointments.
Now the flight was out of the way, I was relieved to be on a break.
The door opened and Maxwell Callaghan appeared, the shift in the room’s atmosphere letting me know rather than my eyes, which were still shut.
I forced myself to sit up. Max was in swimming shorts and looked like he’d already taken a planned plunge, rather than just the unexpected one that Victoria had enforced on him earlier.
“I’d prefer it if you’d leave us be.” Vic’s tone was firm.
“I’m more than happy with him in here, looking like that.” Jacob didn’t miss a beat.
I saw Max preen slightly, his eyes on Victoria. She shook her head.
“Go talk to him.” Claire Callaghan stood up and stretched, her neat baby bump covered with a black swimsuit. I knew she’d agonised over whether to come to Iceland, feeling uncomfortable about showing off her bump and that she’d be limited in what aspects of the spa she could use. “Or argue and have hate sex.”
Victoria pushed herself off the bed. She was small and slight, but only in stature.
“Bets on her coming back in the next hour?” Payton said.
“Max can only last about three point two seconds, according to an ex-girlfriend.” Claire wandered over to the window that filled one of the walls. The view was nothing short of spectacular.
