Page 21 of The Billionaire's Wife

Sunlight streams through the curtains, nudging me awake. I stretch, and it takes me a few moments to register where I am. Not in my penthouse apartment in Seattle, but on a yacht docked in the Bahamas. And not on the couch where I’ve slept the past few nights, but in the bed. Next to Ella.

Ella.

I turn my head to see her sleeping form curled up against me, her arm thrown over my bare chest. Holy shit. Ella. Tucked against me, her bare back exposed to the room, her body gently rises and falls as she breathes, deep asleep. Her brown, wavy hair is strewn across the pillow, and I resist the urge to reach out and caress it, worried any movement will wake her up.

This morning, in the light of day, a mild panic takes hold of me. Because everything has changed. Well, I guess not technically in regards to the charade we’re trying to pull off. But everything in regards to me and Ella’s actual relationship. What the hell was I thinking? Jeopardizing everything in the name of lust? Although if I’m honest with myself, it might have been more than simple lust. Because there’s something about Ella. Something that drives me crazy but warms my heart at the same time. And last night, she’d been too irresistible to deny.

And so here we are.

She shifts against me, and I freeze. But despite my attempt not to wake her, she stretches lazily, blinking her eyes open. Just like me, it seems to take her a moment to gauge her surroundings, and when she angles her head up toward mine, there’s a bit of hesitance in her eyes.

“Morning,” I greet her.

“Good morning,” she replies with the ghost of a smile. She turns, peeling herself away from me. Realizing she’s naked, she quickly covers her breasts, much to my disappointment. The breasts I’d spent last night becoming very, very acquainted with.

She wraps the sheet tightly around herself and stands. “I’m going to get ready for breakfast,” she says, shooting me a look I can only describe as shy.

A far cry from the woman who told me to shut up and fuck her last night. Although the blush adorning her cheeks is utterly adorable. She pads into the bathroom with a pile of clothes.

I take the opportunity to clothe myself, grabbing a short-sleeved button up and a pair of shorts. I run my fingers through my hair and double check my appearance in the mirror.

Ella emerges a few minutes later, dressed, her hair combed, and the subtle scent of perfume in the air.

I smile at her. “Ready for breakfast?” I ask.

She nods. “Ready.”

Everyone except for Olivia is already at breakfast when we arrive. The chef comes out to take our orders and then heads back to make it.

“Where’s Olivia?” I ask Asher.

“She’s not feeling super great,” Asher responds. “I think just the rocking of the boat last night made her feel a little ill.”

Julia nods along understandingly. “Yeah, even docked, the waves can really get to you if you’re not used to them.”

The conversation at the table turns to our plans for the day, and we all agree that spending another day lounging around at the beach would be worthwhile. After finishing breakfast, Asher goes to check on Olivia, and since she’s feeling better, we all head out for a second day on the beach.

We head to another more secluded beach on the opposite side of the island today, outfitted with lounge chairs, umbrellas, along with snacks and beverages. The water here is just as blue and clear as the beach yesterday, if not more so. I watch as Ella busies herself strolling along the sand, watching as the waves crash, and then wading out to her chest, lying on her back and floating, staring up at the sky. I let her be for a while before the urge to join her overcomes me, and I find myself wading out into the water to meet her.

She must feel my presence, because she lifts her head and stands once I’m about five feet away.

“Hey,” she greets with a shy smile.

“Hi,” I say back, running my hands through the crystal clear water. I’ve noticed a tension between us today. Well, maybe not tension exactly. More like uncertainty. Hesitancy.

Waking up next to a naked Ella had been nothing short of amazing. And last night was …

I can’t even think about it without turning myself on. But I don’t know what Ella thinks. Now. Today, after time to clear her head and think about what we did. Hell, I barely know how I feel about it.

Other than the fact that I’d love to feel her soft body underneath mine again. In fact, I’m craving it.

“How are you doing today?” I ask.

She seems surprised by the question. “Good,” she answers. “Loving this.” She gestures to the view around us.

“How are you feeling about … last night?” I summon the courage to ask. A jolt of adrenaline spikes through me just at the thought of it.

She pauses, looking at me hesitantly. “How are you feeling about it?”

---