Chocolate Dove by Cas Sigers Page B

the purpose of her trip. However, as she was swimming from underneath the cave and through the cascading waters of the waterfall, she saw the men gathering at the far left side of the laguna. With lustful, leering looks, they pointed like overzealous ranchers eyeing their new herd of cattle. Basra quickly swam over to Lucia, who was lounging by the side.
    â€œHey, look over there,” she said, pointing to the men.
    Lucia looked up, glanced at the men, and then stretched back across her chair.
    â€œThey’re talking about us.”
    â€œI’m sure they are. I hope I get the young one with the mustache.”
    Basra looked at the men again. The short one caught her looking and smiled. Basra quickly looked away. Lucia could feel her anxiousness.
    â€œBasra, don’t flake on me. You asked to come here, and you need the eight grand.”
    â€œI’m not flaking, I just feel like property.”
    â€œAt two thousand a night, you are property. Rental property. After Wednesday, you never have to see them again.”
    Basra frowned and plopped deep down into the water. Lucia sat up to see that her friend had disappeared completely into the pool. Lucia bent over and looked into the crystal blue water.
    â€œYou better not be trying to kill yourself,” she called out while smacking the water with her hand. “Basra, come up here! Basra!” she called again.
    Within a few seconds, Basra bobbled up and exhaled deeply. She pulled her body from the water and propped it up on the sandy edge.
    â€œListen—” Lucia started, only to be halted by Basra.
    â€œI don’t need a lecture or a speech. I’m fine.”
    â€œGood, ’cause they are calling us over.”
    Basra and the girls walked over to the deck. Yasmina and the staff handed the women towels and ushered them into the salon room, which was beautifully decorated with pristine white furnishings. The men soon followed. The youngest man, Fahad, spoke first.
    â€œOnce again, we want to thank you beautiful ladies for joining us this week. We work very hard and it’s nice to be able to come here, relax for a few days, and forget all of our worries. Helen, would you join me for drinks.” He held out his hand and he and the tall, blonde Swiss escort walked off.
    Basra quickly whispered into Lucia’s ear. “Do we stay with one man for the week or do they switch? How does this work?”
    Lucia ignored Basra and smiled at her next man of choice. Since she didn’t get the young one, she was hoping for the tall, thin guy who appeared to be in his forties. Seconds later, he walked over and picked her. One by one, the women were carried off like abandoned pets at a rescue shelter. Basra was last. She tried to smile as she stood with sad puppy-dog eyes when her date approached. Earlier by the pool, he’d explained that his birth name was Daiwik, which means by the grace of God, but he changed it to Derrick for ease of doing business in America.
    â€œWould you like some food?” he asked. Basra quietly nodded. Derrick motioned for Annisia to bring them a menu. “Why don’t you look at the menu, order, and then go change.”
    â€œOkay,” Basra said softly.
    Rummaging through her suitcase, Basra found a long salmon-colored halter sundress. She returned to the dining area and joined Derrick. Upon her presence, he stood and was the perfect gentleman, even pulling out her chair and waiting before he sat. He avoided direct eye contact, as did she, and Basra could tell he was just as nervous. Their meal was served within minutes of her return and Basra felt it would ease her nerves if she simply broke the ice.
    â€œAm I your girl for the entire week, or will you trade me off after a few hours?” she delivered with a quirky smile and a slight chuckle so as to not come across too brash.
    â€œWell,” he slowly responded. “I do believe that you will stay with me this week. I do hope