The Love Resort Read Online Free

competition,’ Anne-Marie announced triumphantly.
    ‘Really? What kind?’ Lily tried to focus, telling herself not to look at Ed.
    ‘A new love competition. You see, it will be open to anyone under the age of thirty who is in the first year of a relationship.’
    ‘What?’ Ed asked.
    ‘I know, it’s so exciting. Sorry, I’ll calm down and try to explain slowly. We are going to launch what I’m calling “the New Love package”. It’s to encourage younger people who are in newish relationships. They don’t have to be under thirty officially, but our competition winners will be selected on that basis. We need to be more aggressive in our quest to find the right people for our resort.’
    ‘Anne-Marie, this competition, when will we run it?’ Lily drank more champagne and sucked down another oyster. She was beginning to feel tipsy, and wondered if Ed would get away later so they could be together.
    ‘Now. Exclusive Holidays is my choice of publication for the launch, and as the biggest competitor of the Traveller it’s perfect. It’ll teach them not to mess with me. Also, it’s read by educated, attractive young people. We offer young couples the chance to win our new package and then Exclusive Holidays does an article on their time here, and then all lovely young people will want to come. Lily, you might have to pull some strings to get it in quickly. I want the competition winners here as soon as possible.’
    ‘It might take time,’ Ed said.
    ‘I know, darling, but I’m sure Lily can pull it off.’
    Lily was well aware that it wasn’t a strong belief in her abilities that prompted this; it was nothing more than an order.
    ‘How much are we going to charge for the package?’ Ed sounded concerned.
    ‘You can work that out. I just want the young people here.’ Anne-Marie’s eyes darkened, but then she smiled. ‘So, here’s how this competition works. We get a spread in Exclusive Holidays , describing the resort, and in return we offer two weeks, all-inclusive, to three couples, but they have to have been together for less than a year, obviously. I want new passion and romance, not the old worn-out kind we seem to get now. I don’t care about the competition question—you do that, Lily—but what I do want is a photo of the couples with the entries and a brief profile. I’m going to judge this competition myself and the winners will be the best-looking couples.’
    ‘I’ll get on to it first thing,’ Lily offered, trying to hold herself together. She was feeling incredibly horny.
    ‘Are we paying for their flights?’
    ‘Yes, economy. If you’re so concerned about saving money, Ed, you can pick them up from the airport yourself.’ Anne-Marie laughed nastily. ‘And on that note, I’m going to bed. Ed, you can check the resort; make sure the ugly guests are happy. And tell the staff I shall be lunching in the restaurant tomorrow. My public deserves to see me occasionally, I suppose.’ She shook her head and swept away.
    Lily watched her go, then grabbed Ed and dragged him outside. As soon as they got to the bushes by the house, hidden from view, she undid his belt, pulled his pants down, then hitched up her skirt as she pushed him to the ground...
    ‘My God,’ Ed said, as they re-dressed. Lily giggled. ‘Come on, I’ll walk you back to your bungalow.’
    As Ed led Lily to her bedroom, they were silent. They began to undress, more slowly this time, each looking at the other as they did so. Just as Lily was unfastening her skirt, the telephone rang. She snatched it up, noticing the look of fear on Ed’s face and hating that aspect of their relationship.
    ‘Lily Bailey.’ She tried to smile reassuringly at Ed, who looked increasingly uncomfortable. ‘Harriet?’ Lily said. ‘Of course, how are you...?’
    *
    Lily hung up; Ed was lying back on the bed, his shirt open. She moved towards him and kissed him, barely able to control her glee.
    ‘Are you going to tell me who that was?’