Page 68 of Redemption

“Nervous?” he asked, peering up at me from between my thighs.

I felt like a virgin again. With the hottest guy I’d ever seen nestled between my legs. About to cross a line we shouldn’t.

“Stay here.” Jackson linked his fingers with mine. “With me.”

I forced myself to focus on the present even as it blended with the past. Honestly, when he nuzzled my clit, he made it difficult to think about anything else. I gripped the edge of the seat, the boat rocking gently as he licked and sucked and teased me, his eyes never leaving mine.

When my legs started to shake, my pleasure churning inside me like the powerful waves in the Gulf Stream, he rasped, “That’s it, hayati.”

He smoothed his hand over my thigh, before reaching around and pulling me even closer to his mouth. Positioning me exactly how he wanted. I felt as if my skin couldn’t contain me. As if my body was coming apart in the best possible way.

“Oh god. Oh yes,” I panted.

Pleasure. So much pleasure.

It was as if my body had lain dormant for years. Suddenly—thanks to Jackson—everything was brighter, clearer.

God, I’d missed this. Missed feeling like this.

On a boat beneath the stars with Jackson’s mouth on me, my toes curled. I was flying. I was…free.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ifell back against the bench, trying to catch my breath. My heart was racing, and Jackson kissed me with a satisfied grin.

“That’s my girl.”

In that moment, I was twenty-two all over again. And I would’ve given him anything and everything, if only he’d asked. But he’d never given me the choice.

This was my chance. I was seizing what I wanted and rewriting our ending.

He tugged off my shirt, tossing it below deck along with my shorts. “Fuck,” he rasped. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous when you come.”

I wanted to see him come. I wanted to make him feel as wild and out of control as I felt.

I grabbed the hem of his shirt, and he yanked it over his head in one fluid motion. He smirked then pushed down his shorts, and his cock bobbed. Thick. Hard. Wanting.

My breath caught in my throat. He was stunning. So much ink. So much raw power.

He sat on the bench across from mine. “You just going to sit there and watch, baby girl?” he taunted, pumping his cock. “Or are you going to ride my cock?”

I shuddered at the erotic sight. At his filthy words. “Why can’t I do both?”

He smirked. “You can. We will. Tonight is ours, and I fully intend to make the most of it.”

I stood and stepped closer. He looked at me like a predator watched its prey. Hungry. Deadly. Ready to pounce.

I placed my hands on his shoulders, preparing to straddle him.

“Shit.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I didn’t bring any condoms.”

“Good thing I came prepared.” I ducked into the galley to get one of the intimacy kits that came standard in all the Huxley hotel rooms. I’d snagged it at the last minute from the Huxley Grand Miami.

The kits had been Jasper’s idea. He was always so focused on the guest experience, and he was damn good at it. The kit contained a few condoms and some lube, and I’d never been more grateful for it.

“Mm.” Jackson grabbed me by the waist, the heat of his hands branding my skin. He hauled me onto his lap for a searing kiss. “I knew I lo—iked you for a reason.”

“Oh, is that the only reason?” I teased, glossing over the fact that he’d almost said “love.” He didn’t love me. He didn’t know me. Not after all these years apart.

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