Page 54 of Cabin Mate
“Okay, gentlemen, the purpose of The Lounge is to provide a deluxe rejuvenating evening. For utmost comfort, we recommend undressing down to your undergarments and wearing the robes.”
She nods and leaves us in the dressing room. I glance around the room, taking in all the polished, dark wood and the fireplace roaring along the far wall. Oddly enough, it reminds me of my parents’ house.
We begin undressing when I hear a low whistle from behind me. “Damn. How do I get muscles like that?”
I glance over my shoulder to see Preston’s younger brother ogling me unashamedly.
“Right?” Preston says with a laugh.
Todd huffs an irritated breath out through his nose. “I guess some people are into the whole meathead thing.”
Charles chuckles. “Sounds like someone’s a little jealous.”
Todd’s mouth twists in disgust. “Am not,” he mutters under his breath, throwing the robe over his slim body.
Poor guy was probably freezing with so little meat on his bones. I pretend to ignore their chatter, although it is a bit amusing. I wish they could see Drew. They’d develop some serious muscle-envy. Even I have a bit of a man-crush on my brother-in-law.
I put my own robe on and turn to see Preston squeezing his arm where a bicep should be. His lips turn down slightly in a frown. “I really should’ve worked out leading up to the wedding.”
“It’s a little late now, man,” Charles tells him with a smack on the back. The slap on his bare skin making us all wince.
“Ow!” He steps away from Charles. “I know it’s too late now.”
Kenneth snickers. “You worried Mildred won’t be happy with what she sees on the wedding night?”
Preston puffs out his chest. “Oh, she’ll have plenty to be pleased about tomorrow night.” He raises his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
Kenneth rolls his eyes. “You don’t have to lie to me. We used to share a room.”
Preston grabs a hand towel from his cubby and begins snapping his little brother with it. A knock comes from the door and everyone straightens up. Preston throws his robe on and answers the door.
The same brunette from earlier is standing there. “Are you gentlemen ready to head to the smoke room?”
“Absolutely,” Preston answers.
The five of us quickly slide on the red slippers that match our robes and follow the woman to a large, private room. It looks similar to the dressing room, but more formal. Five, leather wing-back chairs are arranged in front of the fireplace with a large selection of bourbons and Cuban cigars on a cart in front of them.
Personally, I never understood the whole cigar thing. So I opt for some fine bourbon instead. The rest of the guys select their cigars and we sit in the chairs and relax. I’m shocked by how much I’m enjoying myself. This is a surprisingly normal bachelor party.
Until …
Bohemian music begins playing loudly through some speakers near the fireplace, and three belly dancers enter the room. Todd and Kenneth grin conspiratorially and Preston glares at them.
“Are you guys serious right now?” he whispers through gritted teeth.
“You said no strippers, and they’re not strippers,” Todd whispers back, Kenneth nodding enthusiastically beside him.
Preston rolls his eyes and gives the ladies a polite smile. I’ll give Preston credit; he completely focuses on his cigar and keeps his eyes steered clear of the belly dancers. I’m not interested in watching them either … Apparently, when you have a Vanderbilt girl waiting for you back home, belly dancers just don’t hold the same temptation. Preston glances at me and I silently raise my glass to him. He raises his glass too, then takes a sip.
Fifteen minutes later, the dancers wrap up and leave the room.
Preston turns an irritated gaze on his cousin and brother. “I didn’t realize I had to specify no scantily clad women of any kind.”
“You’re no fun,” Todd says, rolling his eyes and relaxing back in his chair.
“Someday, cousin, you’ll be so in love with someone you won't even want to look at another woman.”
Todd scoffs. “That ship has sailed. The only girl I ever loved is with someone else now.” He gives me a knowing look.
