Guilty Pleasures by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page A

into a fantasy who wasn’t created by the customer?” Carla asked.
    “No,” Nora said from her recliner. She sat it up and put her wineglass down. “Why? What’s happened?”
    “Well,” Carla began, and then she went on to explain.
    Nora Buckley listened carefully; then she said, “You’re certain you didn’t create him, Carla? Maybe once you thought of someone like this.”
    Carla shook her head in the negative. “I’ll admit I’ve been bored lately being the pirate queen. That’s why I added Amorata Cay and my house. Actually, I go there to relax when I’m stressed out from the ER at the hospital.”
    “And this Hawke, who calls himself the king of the pirates, just walked in on you?” Nora was thoughtful. “I’ll have to check this out, Carla. I have never before heard of something like this, but you never know, and the Channel isn’t my division. I will, however, call Mr. Nicholas about it.”
    “Thanks. While I’m curious about how this happened, it’s Tiffy who worried,” Carla said. “The guy is a sexual master, so for now I’m just enjoying myself.”
    “As long as you don’t feel you’re in danger,” Nora replied.
    “Hey, I’m the queen of the pirates,” Carla said and chuckled. “I fear no man!”
    Nora laughed, but she was considering the possibility that whoever this Hawke who called himself the king of the pirates was, he was no man. When Carla left, Nora picked up her cell and punched 1.
    Mr. Nicholas immediately answered. “Yes, Nora?”
    “I apologize for interrupting your weekend, sir, but we may have a problem relating to the Channel.” Then she went on to recount her conversation with Carla.
    “I will speak with Julian immediately,” Mr. Nicholas said. “I feared he was too young to be put in charge of the Channel. I had been informed that he allows some of his friends to play in fantasies to which they have not been invited, but he assured me it wasn’t so. Obviously he lied. It isn’t a wise thing to lie to me. ”
    “No, sir,” Nora responded.
    “Thank you, my dear, for informing me of this breach. Please tell Mrs. Johnson that she is perfectly safe.”
    “Well, frankly, sir, I got the idea that while she was startled by his appearance, she was enjoying herself,” Nora told her employer.
    “Then we shall allow her one more night. I am told Julian is quite adept at naughtiness, which is why I gave him the Channel to oversee. Obviously he could not resist partaking of the wickedness,” Mr. Nicholas replied. “Thank you, Nora.” And then the head of the Channel Corporation hung up.

    At the Blairs’ barbecue that evening, Nora spoke with Carla. “Just a slight glitch in the system, Mr. Nicholas told me,” she said. “He assures me you are safe. They should have it fixed in another day or two. If you’re worried, just don’t access it for a few days. Or program another fantasy,” Nora suggested.
    “Oh.” Carla sounded mildly disappointed. “Well, if it’s going to be fixed, then I suppose one more night with the king of the pirates won’t hurt.” She left the Blairs’ house shortly after eight. She was feeling very pleased to learn the pirate king’s tenure on Amorata Cay was about to end. It gave her a sense of power over him, and in the Channel, she had always been the dominant lover. While she had to admit to enjoying having the tables turned on her, she had had enough now. Well, almost enough, Carla thought and chuckled to herself as she pulled into her driveway. She wanted her island back.
    The message light on the phone was blinking. She picked up the receiver and pressed the PLAY button to hear Rick’s voice. “Cheerio from London, babe!” Carla smiled. “Call me back if you get in soon. It’s just after two a.m. here. Can’t sleep again.” Carla erased the message and hit REDIAL.
    “The Dorchester,” a woman with a plummy British accent answered. “How may I help you?”
    “Richard Johnson’s room, please,” Carla