she asked.
The older women exchanged an excited look, then pinned their gazes on their respective children. Rhea was the first to speak. “We asked you two here today to ask for your help in aiding our charity work for Breast Cancer Awareness.”
Mitch immediately sat up straight in his chair. His dark brown eyes, the color of rich chocolate, glimmered with concern as his gaze honed in on his mother. “Is everything okay, Mom?”
Nicole waited for Joyce’s reply as well, knowing how crucial Mitch’s question actually was. Seven years ago Mitch’s mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. While she’d recovered and had been in remission for years, there was always the chance of a reoccurrence. Nicole knew this all too well, since her mother’s sister, Andrea, had passed away from the disease. Her mother and Joyce had met at an emotional-support group and had been best friends ever since. In their spare time, which they both had a surplus of, they raised money and awareness for their favorite charity.
“I’m perfectly fine, Mitch.” A bright smile reassured both of them of her exemplary health, and Mitch’s relief was nearly palpable. “This request isn’t for me specifically, but for the organization as a whole.”
As the waiter delivered their drinks, Mitch sat back in his chair. The knit collared shirt he wore molded to his well-defined chest and toned biceps, and the bronze hue brought out flecks of gold in his dark irises. “You know I’ll do anything I can to support your charities.”
Joyce’s face softened with maternal affection. For a woman in her late fifties and having endured many hardships, including the loss of her husband, she still looked beautiful and vibrant. “I knew I could count on you, honey,” she said, patting her son’s hand.
“You know I’ll do the same, Mom.” Nicole squeezed her wedge of lemon into her iced tea and stirred the liquid with her straw. “What do you need? A donation from All Seasons, or help in sponsoring a certain event?”
“You know I appreciate the offer,” Rhea said as she brought her cup of hot tea to her lips for a dainty sip of her favorite herbal blend, “but this is something we’d like the two of you to do for us and the organization.”
She and Mitch exchanged a perplexed look. Witnessing the bewilderment in the depths of his eyes, Nicole knew he had no idea what was going on, either. Their server arrived with their lunch order, and while he placed various dishes around the table and made certain everyone was satisfied with their meal, Nicole contemplated her mother’s odd and very nebulous comment.
Mitch was the first to question it. “Mind sharing the details of this arrangement with us?”
“Of course.” Joyce laughed lightly and dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Rhea and I came across an advertisement in the Denver Post publicizing a high-profile charity event and we immediately thought how perfect it would be if the two of you represented our organization.”
Nicole took a bite of her club sandwich, feeling a setup of some sort coming on, but she was too intrigued by whatever elaborate plan their mothers had concocted to waylay their intentions until she’d heard everything. A quick glance at Mitch confirmed that he was equally curious to hear what this charity event was all about and what their involvement would entail.
“Go on,” Mitch drawled.
Rhea stabbed a cherry tomato in her salad with her fork and continued where Joyce had left off. “There’s this island resort off the Florida Keys called Wild Fantasy, and they’re hosting an annual charity contest. The grand prize is one hundred thousand dollars that will be donated to the charities or organizations that the winners specify.”
“And you want us to try to win that money?” Mitch guessed.
Joyce nodded enthusiastically, causing her silky, frosted hair to skim her smooth jawline. “Exactly. According to the rules in the ad, in order to participate in the contest the guests have to be single and willing to compete in a variety of events and competitions against one another to accumulate points and win one of three cash prizes.”
“Sounds right up my alley,” Nicole said, completely hooked on the idea. “And I definitely qualify on both accounts.”
Mitch shot her a humorous glance. “Yup. You’re single and you’re definitely competitive.”
She grinned sassily and wrinkled her nose at him. “And proud of both accomplishments, I might add.” Indeed, growing up she’d honed those competitive skills all in an attempt to capture a smidgeon of the attention and approval her father had lavished on her brother. While her efforts hadn’t gained her what she’d ultimately sought, they had made her a stronger, more independent person, as well as ensuring that she was always up for a challenge.
“Actually, you’re both more than qualified, as well as our best chance at winning the money for the organization.” Reaching into the bread basket for a roll, Joyce broke it open and slathered butter on the two pieces. “But this is more than a competition and charity event—it’s also a vacation package. So either way you two should have a good time.”
Mitch stopped his forkful of pasta halfway to his mouth as he stared at his mother. “Care to explain the vacation part of this?”
Joyce waved a hand between them, as if the details of that were insignificant. “Wild Fantasy first and foremost caters to guests’ fantasies,” she explained. “And while Fantasies, Inc. is sponsoring the event, the guests who participate will be treated to all the regular amenities the island and resort has to offer in their vacation packages. According to the brochures and information Rhea and I picked up from our travel agent, this place is a virtual paradise.”
Nicole considered all the decadent possibilities inherent in a personal fantasy and knew she wouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to indulge in a week of fun, sun and pure relaxation…and competitive games with Mitch.
“Sounds great to me,” she said, making up her mind. “I haven’t taken a vacation in over a year, so I’m sure I can work out something with Guy and get another guide to cover for me while I’m gone.” She glanced at Mitch to gauge his response and to see what he’d decided, but he remained quiet and contemplative.
Rhea lifted her leather bag onto her lap and dug through the contents, withdrawing two separate folders. She handed one to Nicole and the other to Mitch, who reluctantly accepted the portfolio. “Since there are only a limited number of single guests allowed on the island to participate in the charity event, and we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss out on this opportunity, we took the liberty of purchasing both of your airfares to Florida, along with your vacation package on Wild Fantasy. There’s a questionnaire and application inside your folders requesting personal information that you’ll each need to fill out before you get to the island.”
Nicole thumbed through the colorful brochure, fascinated with everything the resort offered and promised their guests. Then she came to the questionnaire her mother had mentioned and the tempting phrase, Where anything goes and anything is possible, jumped out at her, as did the intimate question, What is your fantasy?
She bit her bottom lip in thought. If she was taking into consideration forbidden, erotic fantasies, the sinfully virile man sitting beside her fit the bill. Mitch Lassiter had been a part of her most private erotic desires for years, stealing into her dreams and fulfilling some of her most seductive fantasies in the darkest part of the night.
But beyond her favored sexual fantasy, there was something emotional she craved, a secret wish she’d harbored
