The happy group tucked into a fabulous dégustation menu on the deck by twilight. Sienna had evidently decided Georgia was worth having as a pal, and the pair seemed to be giggling at everyone and everything. By the time the bottle of Chateau D’Yquem had been polished off with dessert, everyone was in decidedly high spirits. Captain Crowe joined them over coffee and it was unanimously decided that they would wait until the following evening to take an overnight passage to Sardinia so the ladies could squeeze in some shopping during the daytime.
Tiger felt contented and relaxed as she waved off Sienna and Georgia, who were heading off to the Byblos for a few hours’ cocktails and clubbing together. Lewis and Blue were happily chatting about Saville Row tailors and comparing notes. Tiger closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair, drinking in the sounds of the cicadas and the lapping water, tinted with the sounds of chattering revellers, clinking glasses and the muffled thump of music. She felt truly peaceful as the warm summer’s breeze caressed her skin and the faint aromas of sea salt and lavender wafted on the air.
‘I haven’t seen you this chilled out since … well since …’ started Rex softly.
‘I know what you’re going to say,’ said Tiger, eyes still closed. ‘Let’s just leave it as history, huh?’
‘Not since we woke up together in my bed!’ finished Rex.
Tiger snapped her eyes open and her face had clouded.
‘I said let’s leave it,’ she said curtly, her body stiffening. ‘Thank you, Lewis, for bringing us here,’ she said loudly, terminating her exchange with Rex. Lewis and Blue smiled over at Tiger, with Rex continuing to stare at her hotly. ‘What a lovely break, I feel much better. Brilliant idea, Lewis.’
‘Hear hear,’ said Blue, holding up his champagne flute. ‘To good times!’ he said, clinking glasses with Lewis. Underneath the table, Rex grabbed Tiger’s hand. She tensed. He held tight until she relented, before tenderly stroking the underside of her wrist. He knew that was her weak spot.
‘To good times,’ he murmured softly. Their hands intertwined for a brief moment, and Tiger’s eyes locked with his as they clinked glasses, a slight blush spreading across her cheeks. Lewis watched the exchange with a heavy heart.
The rain continued to pour. Lance swigged back his Guinness in the comfort of the pub and mulled over the fruits of his trip. His Dictaphone still sat there on the table; only now bearing the story of Emma O’Connell, Poppy Adams’ erstwhile school friend. It was fair to say Emma was twice the woman she was in her beauty contest photograph. Maybe even three times. But boy did she sing like a songbird. The look of shock on her face when she learnt that her bookish, nerdy schoolfriend Poppy Adams was ‘The’ Tiger Starr; as she continually refered to her. Lance wasn’t sure by the end of the interview if what she felt was bitterness, jealousy, or a grudging admiration for Tiger. No matter. He had the story, and he looked forward to transcribing the interview.
Lance now wondered how best to deliver his material to Sienna. He had school photographs, yearbooks, news-letters, public records and an interview. Following the trail of Coco, Tiger’s infamous grandma, had led to a dead end. However, after Sienna had provided him with as much background as she could – her parents’ names, mother’s maiden name, all the dates and places of birth she could remember, it had been relatively simple. The internet made things so easy these days. Sienna could have done it herself really, he laughed to himself. But now he couldn’t just give it to her on a plate of course. No, that would be too easy. He’d just give her some signposts. She needed to put in some of the work herself if he was going to let her take a cut of the money that this story would earn. Sienna needed to learn how to do the job properly. Lance didn’t think she’d like the information he’d uncovered very much, but if she was so keen to play with fire then she would have to learn the hard way like everybody else, that she might just get burnt.
Lance decided he would send a nice little package to arrive at the Hunter Gatherers’ office in time for Sienna’s return from St Tropez. He had come to Dublin yesterday feeling a little kick at the thought of adding his own nail to Tiger’s coffin after the way she had insisted on keeping their relationship quiet for seven years under the guise of ‘professional complications’, and wanting to wait for a special moment to make it public; only to then reject his offer of marriage. She had turned peculiar at his declaration of love, and had thrown the words ‘intimacy issues’ around a lot. Lance had thought that was just bullshit. He was a total mess for months after. But Tiger hadn’t got off lightly – boy, had Lance wreaked his revenge through his reviews. He was determined to be a ghost that haunted her for years. Now he had the means to hurt Tiger in the way she had hurt him, and publicly; the way he knew she would hate most. And with Sienna’s help, she’d never know that he was in any way behind the story that was going to ruin her.
Lance was a tough guy, but he had to admit it had been an unsettling experience talking to Emma O’Connell about someone he had loved so much and thought he had known so well for seven long years. Now he knew he’d been wrong about Tiger all along. She was simply a low-class tart who had been leaving trails of discarded men behind her for years, starting with some local boy at fourteen. Intimacy issues indeed! Promiscuous little whore, more like. The thought that Sienna would, perversely, be the one to initiate the exposé with just a few careful prods from Lance was almost too juicy and too exciting to wait for … and he had ringside seats. He rubbed his hands together and tucked the Dictaphone into his inside pocket, patted it affectionately, and ordered another Guinness.
‘Ohhhh, I think I’m gonna be sick,’ Georgia could be heard moaning loudly from the dining room the next morning. Within seconds she came staggering on to the deck, bleary eyed, wearing only tousled hair and one of Lewis’ shirts, which barely skimmed her knickerless crotch. Rex whooped with laughter as she lurched onto the main deck and hurled up her breakfast over the side.
‘I’d take an educated guess that’s not seasickness, babes,’ laughed Rex, grabbing a satisfying eyeful as she bent over.
‘Not when the boat’s in the port, no,’ huffed Georgia, righting herself and collapsing onto a lounger, trying in vain to smooth down her dishevelled platinum bob. Seeing Rex leering across at her, she mischievously stretched out her lethally long legs and slowly propped them up on a neighbouring chair, fully intending to torment him with a whisp of a view of pussy.
‘What time did you get in last night then?’ Rex asked.
‘Last night? Huh!’ came Blue’s voice as he sashayed onto the deck, clutching a plate of croissants. ‘You mean you didn’t hear them clattering around at five this morning?’ he said, raising an eyebrow in Georgia’s direction. ‘Good god, girl, I can see the black hole of Calcutta from here. Put it away, will you!’
‘You’re just jealous,’ she mocked cheekily, crossing her legs.
‘Yeah I know,’ agreed Blue. ‘So did I miss anything? Any fit men there last night?’
‘Ooohh …’ Georgia sprung up again and hung her head over the side of the boat, panting, last night’s myriad cocktails threatening to haunt her again. Rex and Blue couldn’t help but laugh.
‘Misty? Is that you?’ came a disembodied voice from the harbour. ‘Misty? Is that really you?’ Georgia came away from the side, eyes wide and skin white as a sheet.
‘I know it’s you up there! Misty! It’s Carrie!’ Rex and Blue looked at each other and mouthed simultaneously, ‘Misty?’ Georgia took a deep breath and casually sauntered over to the side of the yacht.
‘Hey, Carrie! What a surprise. You’re still knocking around then?’
‘Yeah, baby! Business is booming!’
‘Shhhh! Keep it down, bloody hell!’
‘Sorry! Listen, we thought you were gone for good! We’ve all missed your bony ass. The high rollers still ask after you, you know.’
‘Yeah yeah, keep it down. How come you’re out and about so early anyway? You’re not usually up before lunch.’
‘I was j
ust nosing, I heard a rumour that Tiger Starr was on this boat and I was hoping to get her autograph. And then I see you instead! Dumb rumours as usual. But how cool to see you again! Like fate!’
‘Yeah, fate.’
‘So who’s up there? Room for one more?’
‘Er, not exactly. Tell you what, I’ll meet you for a coffee and we can catch up. Usual place, in say, forty minutes?’
‘Cool. À bientôt, ma cherie.’
Georgia turned back to the deck to see Blue and Rex looking up at her incredulously.
‘What?’
‘Oh nothing … Misty.’ Rex stifled a laugh.
‘Oh don’t be ridiculous, Carrie’s an old friend, she’s er – a trolly dolly. Does a lot of flights to Nice. Misty’s just her nickname for me. We all have them, don’t we?’
‘Do we?’ asked Rex, looking at Blue.
‘Well, I hear yours is “King Kong”,’ sniggered Blue.
‘I’m flattered!’ said Rex, looking rather chuffed.
‘Oh I can see you’re both in a stupid mood, I’ll see you later.’ With that, Georgia flounced off in the direction of her cabin. Blue and Rex exchanged knowing looks before dissolving into sniggers again.
‘Are you gonna tell Lewis she used to be a hooker, or shall I?’ asked Rex after a few minutes of general hilarity.
‘Oh don’t. We mustn’t say anything.’
‘What? Don’t you know anything about Lewis? He’d be spitting if he thought we knew something he doesn’t. I have to work with him remember. He’s a nightmare at the best of times, let alone when he’s pissed off about something.’
‘Maybe he’s already acquainted with Misty.’ Blue shrugged, stuffing warm croissant into his mouth.
‘Lewis? I’m not sure that’s his style!’ laughed Rex.
‘True … he doesn’t strike me as someone who pays for it. But you must be able to tell from the technique in bed or something, surely?’
‘Nah, you can’t tell. Some hookers can be quite boring in the sack actually, too concerned about what they look like from every angle. Like they think you’re secretly a movie mogul and you’re gonna leap up and give them a part in your next film and make them a star or something. Either that or they’re bored shitless.’ Rex realised Blue was staring at him, taken aback. He reddened a little, realising what he had said. ‘Oh come on, every bloke’s tried a bit of brass at least once in his …’ He trailed off, sensing Blue’s eyebrow couldn’t arch any higher.
‘Well, this man certainly hasn’t!’
‘Only because you’re a queen! I tell you what, I wouldn’t mind giving Georgia a go.’ Rex smirked provocatively.
‘What?’
‘Yeah, you know, see if she goes faster when there’s money in her box!’ Rex fell about laughing.
‘You’re appalling. Well, I think she’s been riding Lewis hard.’
‘I bet she has!’
‘Not like that! I mean, rinsing him for money, clothes, apparently moved in to his apartment after a month.’
‘Hmm. I know the feeling, mate. Poor Lewis.’
‘Ahh,’ sighed Blue, smacking his lips. ‘Who knew this weekend would be so entertaining? Georgia “Misty” Atlanta, bless your cotton socks!’
Shortly before dinner that night the yacht left the harbour and powered off in the direction of Sardinia. There was a tangible air of expectancy as everyone eagerly anticipated the delights that would be waiting for them when they arrived on the shores of the beautiful Italian island tomorrow. Blue had done several fashion shoots on location there over the years and was relishing the thought of visiting for pleasure rather than work. It would be a treat after his exhausting day of shopping and sunbathing with Tiger. Much to their delight old actor Elliott Walkern had popped his head up from the neighbouring yacht that afternoon whilst the pair were having a pitstop on deck, and he had invited Tiger and Blue over for a civilised teatime cocktail. They had a blast with Elliott and his fellow movie star pals, but left swiftly after the salty old dog started chasing Tiger round the sunloungers. Blue had now worked up quite an appetite, and his mouth was watering at the thought of the fresh lobster which was about to be served.
‘Evening all!’ Tiger said brightly, sweeping into the dining room. An audible gasp escaped into the air.
‘Oh wow, don’t you look fresh,’ breathed Blue, taking in her outfit; a stunning taupe body-con number that clung to her curves and offset her light olive tan, teamed with her favourite skyscraper Sergio Rossi heels and even more gold jewellery. She had her hair in Raquel Welch mode – voluminous waves and tumbling down her back. ‘God, if I was straight,’ Blue muttered, leaning back in his chair. There was a moment of silence as homage was paid to the vision of high voltage sixties Riviera glamour. Sienna kicked Rex under the table and he closed his gaping mouth.
‘So! I hope we all had a lovely day.’ Tiger smiled, bracelets jangling and clinking as she pulled her chair up to the dining table between Lewis and Blue. Georgia and Sienna sniggered by way of reply.
‘Something wrong?’ asked Tiger, shaking out her napkin and laying it across her lap.
‘Oh the twins here have been thick as thieves all day,’ groaned Rex.
‘Hmmm. Best friends now eh?’ Tiger smiled. ‘Good, that’s nice.’
The girls giggled again. Tiger shrugged and daintily sipped her aperitif.
‘Oh, Georgia has had quite a day of seeing friends, haven’t you love?’ Blue smirked. Georgia’s sniggers evaporated rapidly.
‘Eeeeuww!’ squealed Blue, suddenly leaping up from the table.
‘Sorry, darling, I must have just knocked it over by accident,’ said Georgia smugly, patting the spilt ice-cold champagne roughly from Blue’s crotch.
‘Thanks, I think I can see to that myself,’ he replied, snatching the napkin away from her.
‘Okay you two, enough. Let’s just enjoy our supper shall we?’ suggested Lewis, looking at Georgia mysteriously as the waiters paraded into the dining room with an array of silver salvers.
A fine feast of lobster, dressed crab and brandied gambas was rapidly devoured, followed by a selection of digestifs. Lewis eased himself into the full Cognac menu, and Rex excused himself to go to the bathroom. Sienna and Georgia embarked on a giggling stream of gossip while Blue went up to the wheel room for a little navigation demonstration from Captain Crowe. Feeling like she had energy to burn, Tiger rose and crossed to the saloon, changing the music to something a little more lively.
‘Oh good idea, let’s have a dance!’ said Georgia, jumping up. ‘That’s if I can stay up straight while the bloody boat’s moving.’
‘Cor, I thought it was me! I thought I’d just had too much brandy! I feel so nauseous!’ remarked Sienna.
‘Nope, this boat’s definitely bumpy, babes,’ laughed Georgia. ‘Anyone have any seasickness pills?’
‘Sure, I’ll go and fetch them,’ offered Tiger, disappearing off upstairs as Georgia whacked up the volume.
Tiger hummed to the music as she tottered up to her cabin, the thumping beat still loud from the floor below. Now where did I put those tablets, she wondered to herself, surveying the room. Finally her eyes settled on her Chanel tote, which contained everything within its Tardis-like capacity. As she bent over and rummaged in the huge bag she felt two firm hands circling her waist.
‘Oh Blue! Stop it, that tickles,’ she laughed, scrabbling in her bag for the packet of tablets.
‘I thought you’d be pleased to see me,’ murmured Rex in Tiger’s ear as he bent over her. She froze.
‘Oh Rex, behave. Get off, I’m looking for something.’
‘Aren’t we all, babes,’ he replied, tightening his grip and inhaling the sweet scent of Tiger’s perfume. She wriggled to free herself but he just pushed her, face first onto the bed.
‘What are you playing at?’ protested Tiger, laughing uneasily and twisting herself round to face him. He wasn’t laughing. She felt faint as he pushed himself up close and her heart leapt involuntarily
as she felt his breath on her neck. He lay on top of her. No words passed between them for a moment. Tiger felt her heart pounding as he leaned in slowly, very slowly, to kiss her. She whipped her head away to one side, but not before his lips had brushed hers softly. Her red lipstick left a soft smear across his cheek. Closing her eyes she felt his manly bulk on her, his rock-hard cock prodding her through her dress. She felt wet between the thighs and almost dizzy with desire as she lay still for a moment. Then with a burst of strength she jerked up and pushed him away angrily. Rex staggered back but immediately lunged in again and grabbed both Tiger’s arms, holding them firmly up above her head and pinning her to the bed, staring down at her with eyes of steel.
‘Wooh!’ squealed Georgia, staggering around the saloon downstairs to the thumping music.
‘Oh I feel sick,’ complained Sienna, holding on to the wall.
‘Oh just drink more, you’ll get used to it. I’ve done this loads of times. Either drink or shag your way through it. Come on, Lewis, baby, join in the fun! Where’s Rex anyway?’
‘I mean it, Georgia, I feel really queasy,’ said Sienna miserably. Lewis downed his Cognac and stood up. ‘I’m going to help Tiger find those tablets for you,’ he said kindly, guiding Sienna to a chair. ‘You just sit still and watch the moon out of the window. Don’t take your eyes off it okay? It should help with the sickness.’
‘Okay,’ said Sienna, her face now a terrible shade of green. Lewis headed straight for Tiger’s cabin, trying to stave off the sinking feeling in his gut. He had tried to give Rex the benefit of the doubt this weekend, but he had seen the electricity flying between him and Tiger. He trusted Tiger knew better than to even think about rekindling the flame.
Tease Page 25