Bliss by Opal Carew Read Free Book Online Page A

conference?”

    The elevator doors whooshed open and they both stepped inside.

    “That’s right. I’m just going to register.”

    “Me, too.” She stuck out her hand. “My name’s Grace.”

    Kara shook Grace’s hand. “I really wanted to register yesterday, but our flight couldn’t get in because of the weather. I just got in a couple of hours ago.”

    “I just got in today, too. With the weather so bad yesterday, I just postponed my flight.”

    “Good move.”

    The doors opened at the lobby and Kara followed Grace from the elevator. Kara glanced around for a sign listing the events going on in the hotel. Grace spotted it at the same time as Kara.

    “Looks like we’re up two levels,” Kara said. They walked toward the escalator and traveled up, then approached a table with a big sign saying REGISTRATION FOR SSC.

    SSC. Sensational Sex Conference. Kara leaned toward Grace. “I guess they didn’t want a big sign stating this was a sex conference. They’d probably get all kinds of guys propositioning the women at the table.”

    Grace laughed. “You’re probably right. You know, they’re having a Sex-a-la-Gala show here at the same time, so there could be some confusion.”

    “I hadn’t heard that. Why would they do that?”

    Sex-a-la-Gala was an adult trade show that took place in several cities across different weeks over the winter.

    “For the vendors. Many of the workshops at the SSC will talk about how to use sex toys to help enhance your sex life, so they thought it would be a good match. That way the attendees here will have a place they can go and see what’s available firsthand. Especially being away from their home environment, where they might feel more uncomfortable shopping for intimate devices.”

    “You sound like a health practitioner.”

    Grace smiled. “That I am.”

    The person in front of them in line moved forward and Grace and Kara took a step up. Now they were at the front of the line.

    “Hey, would you like to grab dinner after this?” Grace asked.

    “That would be great.” Kara smiled. She’d been dreading attending a conference alone, but she’d only just arrived and had already made a friend. Things were looking pretty good.

    “A friend of mine is supposed to be joining me, but I haven’t heard from him yet. That okay with you?”

    “Sure. The more the merrier.”

    One of the women at the registration table waved them forward. She took their names, marked them off on her list, then handed them each a name tag in a clear plastic sleeve on a red lanyard and a tote bag.

    “The schedule’s inside there, along with a few goodies. Breakfast is at eight tomorrow morning in the Lotus Room, just around the corner and to the right.” The woman pointed down the corridor.

    “Thanks.” Kara turned and walked beside Grace as they moved away from the line toward the escalator. She glanced down at her bag. “I’m almost afraid to see what ‘goodies’ she was referring to.”

    Grace laughed as she peered inside. “I’m sure there’s nothing too . . . Oh!”

Chapter Five

    “What is it?” Kara asked.

    Grace stopped as she pulled out a little cellophane package and held it on her palm. Whatever was inside was silver and about two inches long.

    “It’s a small bullet vibrator.”

    Kara opened her tote bag and pulled out an identical device. She’d just been joking when she’d made that remark. “Well, I certainly won’t be lonely tonight.”

    “Oh, I’m sure you can do better than that little thing.” Grace nudged Kara’s arm. “In fact, my friend Jeremy is pretty sexy and”—she grinned broadly—“he’s a Tantra master. I could put in a good word for you.”

    Ah, damn. Tantra again. In fact, Jeremy Smith was the name of the author she was supposed to interview.

    “Is his last name Smith?”

    “Yes. Do you know him?”

    “No,” Kara said, “but I’m supposed to interview him for the magazine I work for.”

    “Really?