Page 104 of Until I Own You

She’s already in her bikini and sarong, a sun hat the size of a sombrero, and is slathered in a white cast of sunscreen because without it she’ll burn like a hot dog left on the grill too long. “Fine, I’ll make an exception for Ms. Angelise.”

I smile.

Abigail saunters past me, sliding her hand over my shoulder. “I’m going out on the beach. Seth and Jack are already out there. Come out when you’re done, yeah?”

I nod. “You got it.”

Abigail leaves through the sliding glass doors and heads down the wooden slatted boardwalk to the private beach.

The ocean is mesmerizing. Gorgeous, endless blue.

I need to get out there asap.

But first, Deborah.

Her text was surprising.

I’ve got some interest in your sketches, what’s your schedule like this week?

The Deobrah Angelise got interest in my sketches. I have half a mind to tell her I’m free whenever she wishes and head straight back to New York.

But no, I’ve already committed to being here, already put in the mental labor to figure out how to make this trip work.

Out of town until Sunday. Any time next week will do. Let me know what you need from me.

I resist adding a, “You’re the best!” to the end of that.

Trying to keep it professional and level-headed, tame my enthusiasm, isn’t always easy, though, especially when I’m losing my mind that Deborah Angelise got someone interested in my designs.

Who knows who it might be? A fellow designer. A merchandiser. A fashion house.

I don’t fucking care! I’m over the moon.

For now, though, I click my phone screen off and head up to my room to change into my bikini. I’ve picked out something… ‘modest’ isn’t the right word for a bikini, but simple.

Seth and I agreed to keep our distance during the four-day trip, and I am trying to make that as easy as possible by making myself as plain as possible.

Who knows, maybe a girl will catch his eye as is Abigail’s plan?

Jealousy flares inside me. I try to tamp it down, but it’s hard when I’ve allowed myself to be his for over a month now, committed my body to him.

And in committing my body, I’ve also committed my soul, whether he knows it or not.

I glance out the window of my room. It’s got an ocean view, which means I’m able to spy Abigail, Jack, and Seth on the beach.

Seth and Jack are chilling on some lounge chairs with morning beers. When in Key West, right?

And Abigail is standing with her hands on her hips, giving them a talking to, as she is wont to do.

The flight here was hard enough, just the four of us.

Seth arranged for his company jet to take us down, which meant the four of us were in tight quarters for a few hours.

Despite our agreement, I wanted nothing more than to lay myself at Seth’s feet, be his perfect little sub as I’ve been trained to be.

Instead, we all quietly drank champagne and played Scrabble.

On more than one occasion, my fingers brushed Seth’s and it sent tremors of need through me.

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