Chapter One
I am so damn naive.
I know I'm gullible. I've always been gullible. I was the one that the other kids would tell, "gullible isn't in the dictionary, you know." I don't know how many times I fell for that one, but this took the cake. If I had just ignored that stupid email, none of this would have happened, but I fell for it, just like the dictionary joke.
I was checking my email as I do every day, counting on the fact that the junk mail filter was keeping me safe from all the evils in the world, and I spotted the message. It was addressed directly to me, using my first and last name, with the subject line, "You have won a fabulous vacation!!"
I clicked, thinking to myself, "I have not been anywhere all summer. I'm twenty-three years old, and I'm a stick in the mud. I deserve a fabulous vacation."
The message was simple and enticing. Sun, fun, and relaxation. You know you need it! Click here to claim your fabulous island getaway!
I clicked. I filled out the form, and 2 days later, the package arrived, complete with a plane ticket, a brochure with stunning photos of blue-green water, and the rest of the information about my weekend trip to the Florida Keys. I made my time-off arrangements at work and started a packing list.
When the day of my trip arrived, I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I made sure the cat food was out, so the neighbor who was looking after my Minnie would find it. I double-checked my list before putting my suitcase in the car. I triple checked my locks. With no inkling that this vacation was not a good idea, I backed down the driveway and headed for the airport.
The flight to Chicago was uneventful. I bought an iced coffee just in time to catch my connecting flight to Miami. On the plane, I read a little and slept a little. I was excited to be on such an unexpected adventure on my own. I knew that the details of the trip were sketchy, but the thought of the sugar-white sand and the blue water chased away any doubts I should have had.
There was a woman sitting next to me, in the aisle seat. She didn't say much to me for the hour of the trip because she was deeply engrossed in her Kindle. I thought to myself about how we used to know what everyone was reading because we could see the book covers. Now that we have Nooks and Kindles, you have to guess. She was tall and thin, blonde and intelligent looking. She was dressed casually, but she looked as though she was traveling for business, rather than pleasure.
I thought, "Romance novel? No. She looks too serious for that. Murder mystery? Maybe an Agatha Christie or something?" I gave up on my game and went back to reading my Nook.
Suddenly she asked me, "So what are you reading?"
I was a little surprised because she hadn't said a word the entire trip. " For Whom the Bell Tolls . I'm going to the Keys, so I thought I'd inspire myself with some Hemingway. How about you?"
" Beauty's Punishment . It's an erotic novel by Ann Rice."
"Oh." I knew I was blushing, but I tried to make it sound like I didn't find it shocking.
"It's a little graphic. Lots of spanking and whipping and paddling mixed in with a lot of anal sex."
I didn't know how to reply to that. I don't think anyone had ever said the words "anal sex" in my presence before. I stammered something like, "Oh. That sounds interesting." I was relieved when the pilot announced that we would soon be making our descent.
As soon as I could, I rushed off the plane to the baggage claim, where I saw a good-looking, dark-haired man holding a sign with my name. I approached him without a bit of hesitation, and he helped me with my suitcase as it came around the carousel.
I followed him to the car and was shocked to see my seatmate from the plane in the back seat. I blushed, remembering what she had said about her book. The driver got behind the wheel as she said, "So are you excited about your trip?
I am so damn naive.
I know I'm gullible. I've always been gullible. I was the one that the other kids would tell, "gullible isn't in the dictionary, you know." I don't know how many times I fell for that one, but this took the cake. If I had just ignored that stupid email, none of this would have happened, but I fell for it, just like the dictionary joke.
I was checking my email as I do every day, counting on the fact that the junk mail filter was keeping me safe from all the evils in the world, and I spotted the message. It was addressed directly to me, using my first and last name, with the subject line, "You have won a fabulous vacation!!"
I clicked, thinking to myself, "I have not been anywhere all summer. I'm twenty-three years old, and I'm a stick in the mud. I deserve a fabulous vacation."
The message was simple and enticing. Sun, fun, and relaxation. You know you need it! Click here to claim your fabulous island getaway!
I clicked. I filled out the form, and 2 days later, the package arrived, complete with a plane ticket, a brochure with stunning photos of blue-green water, and the rest of the information about my weekend trip to the Florida Keys. I made my time-off arrangements at work and started a packing list.
When the day of my trip arrived, I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I made sure the cat food was out, so the neighbor who was looking after my Minnie would find it. I double-checked my list before putting my suitcase in the car. I triple checked my locks. With no inkling that this vacation was not a good idea, I backed down the driveway and headed for the airport.
The flight to Chicago was uneventful. I bought an iced coffee just in time to catch my connecting flight to Miami. On the plane, I read a little and slept a little. I was excited to be on such an unexpected adventure on my own. I knew that the details of the trip were sketchy, but the thought of the sugar-white sand and the blue water chased away any doubts I should have had.
There was a woman sitting next to me, in the aisle seat. She didn't say much to me for the hour of the trip because she was deeply engrossed in her Kindle. I thought to myself about how we used to know what everyone was reading because we could see the book covers. Now that we have Nooks and Kindles, you have to guess. She was tall and thin, blonde and intelligent looking. She was dressed casually, but she looked as though she was traveling for business, rather than pleasure.
I thought, "Romance novel? No. She looks too serious for that. Murder mystery? Maybe an Agatha Christie or something?" I gave up on my game and went back to reading my Nook.
Suddenly she asked me, "So what are you reading?"
I was a little surprised because she hadn't said a word the entire trip. " For Whom the Bell Tolls . I'm going to the Keys, so I thought I'd inspire myself with some Hemingway. How about you?"
" Beauty's Punishment . It's an erotic novel by Ann Rice."
"Oh." I knew I was blushing, but I tried to make it sound like I didn't find it shocking.
"It's a little graphic. Lots of spanking and whipping and paddling mixed in with a lot of anal sex."
I didn't know how to reply to that. I don't think anyone had ever said the words "anal sex" in my presence before. I stammered something like, "Oh. That sounds interesting." I was relieved when the pilot announced that we would soon be making our descent.
As soon as I could, I rushed off the plane to the baggage claim, where I saw a good-looking, dark-haired man holding a sign with my name. I approached him without a bit of hesitation, and he helped me with my suitcase as it came around the carousel.
I followed him to the car and was shocked to see my seatmate from the plane in the back seat. I blushed, remembering what she had said about her book. The driver got behind the wheel as she said, "So are you excited about your trip?
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