“I was hoping it was true that you always have vacancies. I brought my things, enough for the weekend. I just have to register and pay for the room. I’d be happy to stay here and find out why my friend loves it here so much.”
“Wonderful. Though, you won’t be paying for anything and registering is unnecessary. We have a room that will be perfect for you. In fact, you didn’t need to bring a thing. All of our rooms are fully-stocked and equipped with everything and anything our guests could ever possibly need. Follow me and I’ll show the room I think will be just perfect for you.”
“Okay, but I insist that I pay for my stay. I wouldn’t feel right allowing you to let me stay here for free.”
“We’ll discuss all of that later, my dear. For now, enjoy yourself and have the experience of your life.”
They left Scarlet’s suite and took the elevator to the twelfth floor. When they stepped out of the elaborate, gold accented and mirrored car, Olivia was speechless. The door opened onto a suite unlike any she could ever have imagined.
“Oh my!”
Wall-to-wall bookcases surrounded them as she stood beside Scarlet in the entryway. Shelves and shelves of masterpieces lined every surface while nooks covered in expensive fabrics and pillows peeked out from every corner.
“You approve?”
“Of course I do.” Feeling as though she’d stepped into one of her own dreams, she walked to one mahogany case and then another, allowing her fingers to lovingly caress each book as she walked by. She could smell the pages, their scent intoxicating, without even opening a single one. An inner peace came over her and her troubles of late seemed to disappear.
“There’s a kitchen, fully-stocked, of course, and a few different bedrooms to suit any of your preferences. A bathroom for every bedroom, a balcony, living area, and each room has bookshelves.”
Olivia’s shoes echoed across the wooden floor of the suite and she saw Matt’s books neatly displayed upon their own shelf. “Wonderful.” She smiled at Scarlet. “Have you ever read these? He’s an amazing author.”
“I’ve read one or two.” Scarlet nodded. “He has quite a way with words. Almost as if those stories are his own fantasies, wouldn’t you say?”
“He is talented. I’ve often wished he was writing about me. His stories always have a happy ending and the plots are incredibly realistic.”
“I’m sure the author has someone in his life who gives him that inspiration.”
“I don’t know about that. He is always in a different relationship. None of these stories mirror his real life. The women he dates are nothing like the woman in this particular series.” She held up one of her favorite installments. “You’d think as his friend, I’d know what drives him to write such passionate love stories. Sadly, the man who writes these books is nothing like the Matt Osgood that I know and love.”
Scarlet raised an eyebrow and smiled at her “Olivia, I’m sure you’ll find your own happy ending someday. In fact, this is the perfect place to make your own. “
“You mean I could find the love of my life here? How? Is there a singles dance for book lovers this weekend?”
Scarlet laughed and shook her head.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be sassy. I read a lot of books and though I know it’s happened for other people, I just don’t believe I’ll get a happy ending. Especially when the man I’m in love with will never return my affection.”
“You can make that happen here.”
“How?”
“All you have to do is think of him and he will appear. You can go out to dinner, see a movie, and go for a swim. While you’re here, your fantasies will become true with the man of your dreams. A virtual man. You can then see if you’re meant to be together. Experience what a weekend alone with him would be like.”
“You can’t be serious? A virtual Matt? Like a hologram?”
“Similar. Just trust me. I’ll leave you to get settled in. I think you’ll find everything you desire in the suites.
“If you still want your bags brought up or need anything at all, just call downstairs or have them call me. I hope you have a wonderful stay, Olivia. I’ll be calling you when the bookstore is complete. A woman who loves books as much as you do is perfect for the job. Thank you for finally coming here to see me.”
“Thank you.” Olivia could hardly hold in her excitement. She’d gotten the job! Thank goodness!
“We’ll discuss living arrangements and such as soon as we are closer to the opening, okay?”
“Wonderful. But how will you get in touch with me? The application, I mean, I didn’t even fill it out.”
“Believe me, I’ll be able to get in touch with you. Have a good evening.” She turned to the elevator, pushing the call button. “And, Olivia...” as the doors slid open, “don’t be afraid to go after your dreams. Don’t let the way something looks or feels scare you away. Everything you’ve ever wanted will happen. You just have to believe.”
She stepped into the elevator and the doors closed, leaving Olivia alone to explore her beautiful suite.
“How can I get everything I’ve ever wanted if getting the job I want will take me away from the man I love?”
* * * *
Matt took I-74 and traveled north until he hit the I-65 bypass. Dealing with traffic at four-thirty in the afternoon on a Friday was enough to make someone lose their mind. “Why didn’t I leave last night? I could already be there, having a drink in my room, instead of being caught up in this mess.”
He flipped the radio back on and searched for the traffic info station. “Might as well know if there are any problems before I reach them.” Nothing kept his mind off of Olivia. He could’ve stayed home with her this weekend and enjoyed her company. They would’ve walked the shore and had dinner together, maybe they’d have watched a movie or two. The more he thought about being away from her, the more he ached. Everything reminded him of Olivia. Beautiful trees celebrating the arrival of Spring, were covered in leaves the color of emeralds and they matched Olivia’s eyes. The scent of jasmine coming through his air vents smelled just like her and stirred his desire. The jet-black car he drove, was smooth and sleek like her hair.
“What am I doing? The last thing I want to spend this weekend doing is listening to pompous writers discussing how their plots are always perfect.” Almost halfway to Chicago, Matt whipped the car off the exit as trucks and cars blew their horns in anger at him for cutting across the lanes of traffic. He turned his car south and got back on I-65, heading back towards Indianapolis.
“I’ll spend the weekend at the River Jewel. Olivia will never know and it’s not like she’d care anyway. I’m sure she’s busy doing her own thing and could use the weekend away from me.”
Matt drove another forty-five minutes, talking to himself and thinking about the amazing woman he’d be with over the weekend. When he reached his exit, he flipped on his turn signal and maneuvered off of the main highway. As soon as he saw the long driveway leading up to his beloved home away from home, he felt his spirits lift. Slowing down, he followed the pink, pea-graveled path all the way to the front doors and parked in one of the few remaining spaces.
He climbed out of his car and stood there a moment appreciating the beauty of the grand hotel. He knew his heart’s desire, or as close as he’d ever get to it, awaited him inside. At the River Jewel Resort, he could let go of his inhibitions and fears. He could be Matt, just Matt, and his woman was in love with him. Leaving his bags in the car, he pulled open the fancy double doors and went to the front desk. Maria, as always, greeted him with a smile.
“Hello, Mr. Osgood. I wondered if we’d be seeing you this weekend. How have you been?”
The little blonde pixie always made him feel welcome. She knew all of his secrets and still she treated him no differently than she treated any other man he’d met at the River Jewel.
“I’m great. I just happened to be in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop in. It’s been a while.” He glanced aw
ay, avoiding her eyes.
“Yes, it has. Well, I’m happy to see you. Your suite is ready as always and I’ll have someone park your car and bring you your things. Here’s your key, sir.”
“Thanks, Maria. But, please just have them leave my bags in the car. I won’t be needing them. I’m sure everything I want will be in my room.”
“Of course, Mr. Osgood. Have a great evening.”
“Oh, I will Maria. I most certainly will.”
Matt smiled and took the marble stairs two at a time. He hated the elevators and enjoyed the view from the balcony when he reached the top of the staircase. Each floor had a marble balcony and each one had seating and a bar for the patrons.
“This never gets old.” Taking a deep breath, he looked over the railing and waved at Maria.
He continued on his way and felt the excitement building, the closer he got to his room. Once there, he slid the key card through the electronic reader and let himself inside. Everything was just as he’d left it. His suite was only one of two on the entire twelfth floor and at the opposite end of the hall from the other suite. He had all of the privacy he could ever want. In all of his time coming to the RJR, he’d never once run into anyone staying in the other suite.
“I could run naked through the hallways and no one would ever know.” He laughed as he opened his refrigerator to grab a bottle of his favorite imported beer. Thinking about what Olivia would say if she knew he’d even thought about running naked through the hallways of the prestigious hotel, made him laugh even more. She’d probably join him. Olivia was adventurous and loved sex in open places. Why had he never told her he loved the same thing? What had kept him from telling her everything? He shrugged and walked out of the kitchen and into his bathroom to freshen up for his date.
“She should be arriving any moment. I’d better get a move on.”
A few minutes later, he heard the front door open. His lover had arrived.
“Hello, gorgeous. I’ve missed you so much.”
Matt wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately, pouring his every emotion into the deepening kiss. He ran his hands through her long hair, inhaling her scent as his hands explored her body, touching, gliding, and holding her until he thought his dick would blow out the zipper of his pants. His date said nothing. Instead, she palmed him through the expensive fabric, stroking and pressing, begging him with her eyes to undress her. It took all of his strength to pull away.
“I have to call my agent. He’ll be livid, but I don’t care. I’ve missed you and I couldn’t bear to be away from you for another moment. I’ll be right back and then, we can go to dinner.” He kissed her again and went to the den to call the man who was surely going to rip him a new one. It must’ve been some sort of miracle, because his call went to voicemail.
“Jack, it’s Matt. I won’t be making it to the convention. I had something else that I needed to attend to. I’m sure I’ll talk to you later or on Monday. Bye.”
He hung up and retraced his steps to the living room where his beautiful date stood waiting for him. She wore a short, elegant cocktail dress made of the finest black silk and black, strappy stiletto heels that accentuated her firm, tight ass. Matt couldn’t wait to slide that scrap of fabric off of her and feel her body beneath his. But, first they’d go to dinner like a normal couple. Maybe have a few drinks afterward and then, a stroll along the lake. It didn’t matter. Their dates were always perfect. She was perfect. Almost.
“Are you ready, my dear?”
She smiled and slid her arm through his as they left his room.
Chapter Four
Olivia dressed in a gorgeous, thin-strapped, black dress and the most comfortable stiletto heels she’d ever worn. Each room in her suite had closets full of incredible clothes, but these had seemed to call to her. The feel of the black silk kissing her bare skin sent shivers of desire through her. Luckily, she’d been given a great set of tits and didn’t require the added barrier of a bra between her nipples and the slinky fabric. Whenever she moved, her nipples reacted to its supple caresses. The shoes, expensive, with red soles and diamond accents, made her stand tall and proud. A quick spin in the mirror and she nodded her approval.
“If only Matt could see me now.”
A door opened and she rushed to the living area.
“Hello? Is someone there?”
She was just about to turn around, certain she’d been hearing things, when she saw him. There he was, standing before her! “Matt? What are you doing here?”
He said nothing. Matt stood there smiling at her with his hand extended, reaching for hers.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Something wasn’t right. Why wasn’t he speaking? Did she look like a fool all gussied up like some French-whore? Better yet, what was he doing there? How had he known she was even at the River Jewel Resort?
“Why are you here? I thought you were in Chicago. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming here. I knew you’d be busy, so I just tossed my stuff into the car and started driving.”
The phone rang before he could answer her.
“Hello?”
“Good evening, Olivia.”
“Scarlet? Hi. Um, did you tell anyone I was here?”
“No. We never tell anyone who stays with us. Why do you ask? Oh, I trust you’ve received your first wish.”
“Wish?”
“Enjoy yourself, my dear. Here’s your chance.”
Scarlet hung up before Olivia could utter another word. She was in a room with a virtual person! “I am so creeped out right now.”
Virtual Matt watched her every move with a smile on his face. His eyes danced with amusement just like her real Matt’s eyes. He was the same height and appeared to be a clone of her Matt. But he didn’t speak. What was she going to do? This was crazy! He wasn’t real. How did Scarlet expect her to enjoy herself with some computer image?
She reached out to touch him and found he wasn’t just a holographic image. He felt real. She ran her hands up and down his arms and all over his chest and back.
“Oh my goodness! How can you be real?”
Olivia lifted each of his pant legs, felt under his jacket, ran her hands through his hair, examining and inspecting every inch of virtual Matt. She was speechless. He was almost an exact duplicate. The only thing different was the way his hair parted to the side. Matt’s went left and virtual Matt’s went right. Other than that, he could be the real Matt.
“Stay right there. I need to sit down. This is way too weird for me. This isn’t right. You can’t be Matt. What the hell is going on in this place?”
Again, virtual Matt held out his hand to her as if he wanted her to take his.
“No. I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I can’t go anywhere with you. In fact, I’m leaving. There’s no way I’m going on a date with some cyborg or whatever the hell you are. Just stay away from me!”
He stared at her, seemingly confused and hurt by her words.
“You need to leave. Go back to wherever you came from. I don’t want you here.”
Virtual Matt turned and left the suite, leaving Olivia sitting alone on the expensive leather sofa, crying.
“God, what was I thinking? Am I that desperate? And why did that woman think a date with some knock-off of Matt would help me? This place is insane! I’ve got to get out of here. If this is the type of place Matt likes, then maybe we don’t belong together. I’m all for adventure, but this is just too fucking weird.”
She grabbed her room key and the elevators doors opened quickly as she stepped up to them. The ride down was the longest she’d ever experienced in any elevator. Had it not been for the shoes, she’d have taken the stairs down.
“Come on, really!”
When the car finally reached the lobby and the doors slid apart, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Standing in front of her, locked in a loving embrace and kissing passionately were Matt and what had to be a virtual her.
&n
bsp; * * * *
“Olivia?”
“What are you doing? Oh my God!”
“Olivia, why are you here?”
Matt rushed over to her and reached for her.
“No. What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Chicago.”
“You’re supposed to be at home.”
“Why are you with her…me? What is going on here?”
“Just let me explain.”
“Explain what? That you lied to me about Chicago so you could come here to be with some fake version of me? A version that doesn’t talk? Is that why you lied? So you could get away from my voice? Do I irritate you that much?”
“No. That’s not it.” He laughed.
“Is this funny to you? I’m not very amused right now. You’re here with some carbon copy of me and you think it’s funny? Is it some sick joke?”
“It’s far from a joke.”
“I don’t get it, Matt. How many times have you lied about conferences? I thought we were friends. Friends don’t lie to each other and they don’t do what you’re doing with that, that thing!”
“Olivia, just calm down.”
“Calm down? I will not calm down, Matthew Osgood! You think just because you’re some big shot author that you can do whatever you want? Lie to people and then make fun of them behind their backs? You’re disgusting. I’m not good enough as I am, so you come here and get some fake, dolled up version of me that you can parade around? Thanks, Matt. I thought you were my friend. How could you do this?”
Matt had taken all he could. The woman he loved was pissed at him, hated him, and all he’d ever wanted was the opposite.
“How could I do this? Because I love you, damn it! At least here, at least with this version of you, I can pretend she loves me, that you love me. Do you think this is easy? I have to sneak around, pretending to be with other women because the one I want doesn’t want me. All you want is a library buddy, a friend and nothing else. No strings, no attachments, remember? I’ve had to listen to your stories of fucking and screwing all over that library for years and it broke my heart. I wanted to be that guy, the guy who turned you on! I want to be the guy to take care of you. You’d rather waste more years on guys that treat you like crap. At least here, I get to have a happy ending with the woman I’ve been in love with for a decade.”
River Jewel Resort Box Set Books 1-4 BOOK BUNDLE Page 13