Page 58 of Born To Be Bad

CHAPTER 34

Pesky Bikini

IVY

“Holy shit,” I say, rubbing my eyes. It’s early morning but the tropical heat of the day has already arrived.

“Good morning, beautiful,” murmurs Alistair, AKA sex god of sensual anointing, placing a cup of coffee on my bamboo side table.

“Did that really happen?” My head is swimming with the surreal memories of the previous night. Surely not. Surely only a strange erotic dream would explain last night’s shenanigans.

Alistair chuckles. “Oh, it happened. I think I still have some chocolate in my hair.”

I belly laugh—not at that, but at how ridiculous our wrestling had been, and how much fun.

“And Chailai?” I ask. One minute I was taking the flask from her, the next she was gone.

“She must have let herself out,” says Alistair. “It was a pre-paid service.”

“Hope you pre-tipped her. She was amazing.”

He opens his palms, his biceps flexing. “Do you even know me?”

“I know you,” I reply, grinning, grabbing his hand and pulling him into bed.

“I need to work out,” he says.

“That’s fortuitous,” I say, grabbing his ass. “I need a workout, too.”

“Don’t tempt me,” he replies.

“Why not?”

“Because you’ll get more than you bargained for.”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” I say, squeezing his bum.

“Well,” he reasons. “I guess I should be checking you for any leftover dessert.”

I nod. “It would be the responsible thing to do.”

Alistair starts nuzzling my neck, and my body tingles all over.

My blood starts flowing to all the right places, and then the doorbell rings. I laugh. “Let me guess … bacon and egg anointment?”

Turns out it’s something far more delicious. A little baby called Alexander and lovely Brumilde.

“We’re off to the beach,” she announces. She’s redolent of sunblock and summer. “Anyone care to join us?”

Alex looks so darn cute in his beach outfit and wide-brimmed sun hat.

“Definitely!” I reply, clapping my hands and extending them to see if Alex wants to come to me. He hesitates for a second and then mirrors my arms. I hug him and kiss his forehead before settling him on my hip. “Look at you! All ready for the beach.” Face shiny with suncream, he grins at me.

Alistair is staring at us, so I nudge him. “Swim in the sea?”

He snaps out of it and smiles. “Sounds great.”

We head down to the private beach at the end of a quaint but sturdy boardwalk. The beach sand is pristine, and the sparkling blue ocean as calm as a lake. Chairs and umbrellas have already been set out for us, as well as a huge platter of expertly chopped fresh fruit. Mango, litchi, rambutan, pineapple, papaya, dragonfruit, and all kinds of berries—some that I don’t recognize. There is also coconut, which reminds me of the night before, and my cheeks warm a little at the memory. I dish up a small bowl for Alex and put him down on a big picnic blanket in the shade, then sit and watch him trying the different fruit. When he tastes the pineapple he screws up his face at the tartness of it, but immediately goes for more, which makes Brumilde and I laugh.

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