Eden glanced her up and down. “Helps that you’re gorgeous, huh?”
“Hm, you think? I’ve got being thin on my side. But my hair isn’t actually blond, if you can’t tell from my stellar roots.”
“But it’s like such a great vibe on you! You’re like the hot girl next door who is serving up drinks and being sweet. I’m guessing. I actually have no idea how you interact with the guests. ‘Cause it ain’t how I’m doing it.”
Blair laughed at Eden’s candor. “Nope. Certainly not. They can’t pay me enough for your part of the deal.”
“Not even a hundred grandbeforebonuses?”
“We may all have our price, hon, but mine’s way higher.”
Louder laughter floated in their direction. Eden glanced over her shoulder and discovered that Monarch had yanked down one of the guys’ swim trunks and played with his junk. For some reason, this washilariousto everyone, including the guy with the junk in question.Could I ever be that forward?Eden never thought she’d have a “style” as a Butterfly, but here she was, contemplating a grand return if she was invited back.This was supposed to be one and done…She assumed it would be tolerable for the money, and she’d never have to do it again. But not only had she made a friend in Blair – who happened to live in the same metro as Eden back home – but she had alotof fun with the two men who had been taken in by her that weekend.I probably shouldn’t think it’s like this every time.And there would only be so many seasons a woman could work before she grew tired of it. Not everyone was Monarch.
But what if Edenwasa Monarch type? What if this, as things turned out, was her calling?
She thought about that for a few seconds.Haha, no.
She’d take her payday the following week and restart her life. She was only twenty-five. That was nothing in the realm of the world, but at La Mariposa?I might be a MILF already.
When Eden finished her drink, she said goodbye to Blair and took a short walk around the pool area. She would eventually settle down and relax for an hour or so, but she wanted to get away from Monarch’s absurdism before it turned into a preview of that night’s party.Could they at least take it to a cabana?Oh, no. They were going to one of the smaller wading pools.
Eden lounged back in one of the chairs and closed her eyes. In a few minutes, the sunlight was blocked from her face.
“Hmm.” She opened one eye and was nearly blinded, even through her sunglasses. “I know that profile anywhere.” She shielded her brows and took in the imposing figure ofBryce,a man who did not suit that name at all. “What can I do for you?”
He sat on the chair next to hers. By the looks of it, he had come for a swim, but had not yet dipped his toes into the pool.
“I’m inclined to be corny and say,stay there just like that, being beautiful.”
“Well…” Eden rolled her head back so she gazed up at the blue sky. “Yes, that is pretty corny. But it works for a reason.”
“For what it’s worth, I mean it. You are gorgeous, Brim.”
She slightly blushed. Too bad he couldn’t possibly see it in the bright sunlight reflecting off the chlorinated water.
“You’re a classic gentleman, sir.”
“Come on. Would agentlemando to you what I did last night?”
She grinned. “You might be surprised.”
Honestly, who was this woman? Every time Eden second-guessed herself, one of these guys came along and just… broughtoutthis persona who might not actually be a persona, if she were true to herself.Maybe it’s who I always wanted to be around men.Except that Eden had plenty of chances throughout her life. But that was when she assumed it was her youth doing most of the carrying…
Was sheactuallybeautiful? Did she have someje ne sais quoisthat made her stand out in a crowd? What was it? Her face? Her body? How she carried herself? Dressed? Did she have some confidence that Blair had been talking about?Do I just show up, take some chances, and put my own spin on things to stand out?She hadn’t even meant to do it! This was a woman whose history with relationships was vanilla and just kinda… there!
Yet these two men kept coming back to her. Like they couldn’t get enough. Neal kept going on about how much she hoped he thought of him with other guests. Bryce had even insinuated that he wanted nothing more than for Eden to know that she washishere. Yet they both respected her job and the rules of the land. They were possessive while still keeping it within the scope of La Mariposa.
They’re not like this back home, I bet.That was the fantasy-breaking thing of it all. If Eden encountered either one of them in the city, they would be different. Definitely less relaxed and likely to take risks with someone like her. Here, she had their undivided attention. They were locked in on her like she could give them her time, her body, even a bit of her heart. Not like she would ever forget them.
She might as well take full advantage of this while she could, and not just because she got a bonus every time one of them spent time with her.
“I have a proposition for you,” Bryce said, as a loudwoo!echoed across the pool. Neither of them turned to see what was happening over by the bar, but Monarch was certainly hard at work. “Today is our last night on this island, and I want to make the most of it by asking you to be my date to the party.”
Eden wanted to laugh, but didn’t want to accidentally offend him. “You mean the orgy. Because that’s the only sanctioned party going on tonight.”
“Which you have to work, I’m sure. It’s usually all hands and genitals on deck.”
Finally, she could laugh, because he had made a joke. “I’m a woman at large, sir. Nobody gets to monopolize my time at the party. Or, at least, not on paper.”
