Exotica

Excerpt from: Exotica

Take a deep breath.

Brooklyn O’Reilly stepped into the Exotica Island Resort lobby and slowly took in her surroundings. A sparkling chandelier hung high from the intricately designed trey ceiling. The walls were olive in colour, complementing the cream coloured marble floors beneath her favourite Jimmy Choos. She lowered her sunglasses and glanced around at the furnishings. A massive water wall sat in the centre of the waiting area, filling the space with tranquillity. Two overstuffed leather couches gave guests a comfortable place to wait though only one guest seemed to take note. Everything about the place looked expensive and rare adding to the exquisite décor.

To the left side was the check-in counter with a few women standing around, chatting with each other. The place really didn’t come across as a sex resort as Molly, her assistant had said it was, but nevertheless it eased her nerves a bit that she wasn’t the only woman visiting for the weekend.

Brooklyn dragged her one suitcase behind her as she stepped into line at the check-in counter. From what she’d gathered, Exotica Island cared most about their clients’ privacy. Reservations were under the strictest of confidence, and Brooklyn had no fear that her encounters might become public.

Encounters. Is that what she was really going to call a no-strings attached sexual weekend? Molly promised it wouldn’t be awkward. There wouldn’t be pressure, and she would have the time of her life if she’d let loose and allowed things to happen naturally. For the money she paid to visit this place, she’d better have the time of her life.

At thirty-five, she lived a prominent life as a high profile reporter, sharing her apartment with her younger sister when she visited Boston. Granted, Carrie-Ann was flight attendant and was hardly ever home, but their apartment was just as much hers as it was Brooklyn’s.

Brooklyn sighed. She’d never married. She didn’t have any kids. And more importantly she barely had time for a relationship. It wasn’t as if she’d wanted her life to turn out this way. She’d planned on having the American Dream with a husband and kids, but her career came first in her life. It always had and now she found herself booking a weekend at a sex resort that promised her every fantasy would become reality.

The woman in front of her moved, stirring Brooklyn’s attention back to the present. She stepped to the counter and smiled at the attendant. “Hi. Reservation for Brooklyn O’Reilly.”

“Welcome to Exotica Island, Ms. O’Reilly.” The clerk typed in her arrival information and grabbed a key card. “You’ll be in Cottage Six.” She handed Brooklyn the card then reached for a map of the island. Pointing, she gave directions. “Here is your cottage, and Rob here, will help you with your bags. The spa is on the north side, the boat docks at the south and the hiking trail around the waterfall is in the centre. Should you get lost, this path will lead you anywhere you need to go.”

With a red marker she circled the cottage labelled Six and handed her the map. “ Do you have any questions?”

It was on the tip of Brooklyn’s tongue to ask where the available men were, but she shook her head instead.

“Great. Enjoy your stay at Exotica Island, and please know if you need anything, all you have to do is ask.”

With a big smile the clerk dismissed her, and the man she assumed was Rob grabbed her pink bag and loaded it on the luggage rack. He smiled and nodded towards the door before pushing the cart out the exit, Brooklyn following behind.