Page 60 of Frayed Bonds

“It’s my pleasure,” I smile, and caress her hand before standing and walking down to the main courtyard.

Ambrose sits alone near the pool and scrolls on his phone.

I hop up and sit on the edge of the table next to him, and silently wait for him to grace me with his attention. Dark eyes trail up my entire body and pin me with a disinterested expression.

“Well, that was an interesting conversation.”

No change in his emotion.

“I didn't expect you to mention that I helped since I didn't do much–”

“He won't shut up about how I must be an incredibly well-educated man if I can keep up with a woman like you.” A faint smirk plays on his lips. “I’d much rather prefer he’d think I’m well educated due to my numerous degrees in financial management, but I’ll take it this once.”

He stands up, directly in front of me. “I’m quite pissed off though.”

“Why?” It barely comes out as a whisper as I try to calm down my thumping heart.

“Because my mamá had the chance to thank you before I could thank you myself.” He places one hand on either side of my thighs.

“So, why don't you do it now?” My eyes meet his, and it’s like a spark sets off behind his eyes.

“Well, I had a few ideas of how I could thank you. I’m not sure how many of them you’d be okay with.” His eyes drop to my lips and then back up to my eyes, leaning in slightly.

“I’d be fine with at least fifty percent of them, trust me.”

“Only fifty?” His palm shifts to my thigh and the skin beneath it burns like a hot iron is being held against it.

“Saying eighty seems too keen.”

“And you're not keen?” He squeezes my thigh gently.

His lips are directly in front of mine, so close I can feel his breath fan across my face.

“More curious than keen.”

“Curiosity killed the cat,” he whispers, his eyes falling to my lips.

“And satisfaction brought it back.”

With that, the hands gripping my thighs pull me close until my core is flush with his front and his lips connect with mine.

For a few minutes, my mind doesn't register what is happening but when I feel the gentle wetness of his tongue against my lips begging for entrance, my body comes back to life. It’s like a moth to the flame, my hands are in his hair pulling him closer.

His rough grip strains against my skin as he pushes the hem of my dress higher. The kiss is hungry and feverish like we’ve been starved of each other. As his palms make contact with my hips a jolt of electricity runs through me and I come back to my senses and realise exactly what's going on.

I rush to push him off me, he stares back at me completely dishevelled. His hair a mess, his lips slightly swollen and a tent in the front of his slacks.

“N-no. I refuse to just be another one of your assistants that you think you can just hook up with.'' I say with my hands outstretched in front of me trying to maintain the distance.

“That's not what this is.”

“That’s what it feels like.”

“I have cold beers, let’s take a walk on the beach!” Adriano’s voice echoes from just behind Ambrose, and we both jump. Ambrose stands back awkwardly and I try to act natural.

Adriano gazes at us briefly before nodding his head in the direction of the beach. "Let’s go."

Ambrose offers a hand to help me jump off the table, but I ignore it and hop off it myself, straightening out my dress.

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