Page 102 of Royal Flush

“Does that mean you’ll join me?”

“Perhaps.”

I kicked off my heels and headed for the bathroom, stopping just outside the door to peel off the strapless dress I’d selected to wear. As I left it on the floor, I noticed he was shaking his head as if he had something up his sleeve.

Why did that excite me so much?

The bathroom was huge, more so than I would ever have believed. It was insanely gorgeous, the shower built for two. Or four.

After starting the water, I placed one foot on the edge of the sink, slowly rolling the dark thigh high down my leg. I hadn’t worn them in ages, but it had felt right with the dress. As I did so, I studied my reflection. The warm glow of the sun floating across my skin had added a shimmer. My eyes were brighter than usual, the amazing day exactly what I’d needed.

However, I had a bad sense something was about to go down. It was simply a feeling in my gut, a haunting premonition that I hadn’t been able to shove aside. With steam already rising from the shower, I rolled my hands down my chest, pinching my nipples as I adored him doing. His heated reflection caught my attention. Just the way his eyes were hooded was a telltale sign of the fiery hunger still building between us.

I didn’t say a word before entering the shower, immediately standing under one of the two showerheads. With the shower door glass slightly frosted, it was impossible to know exactly what he was doing.

As I raked my hands through my hair, I listened for any sounds. He was being far too quiet, which unnerved me. At least I could tell he was getting rid of the rest of his unwanted clothes. The thought always made my mouth water. I had my eyes closed, enjoying the soothing sensations of the water when I felt a cool breeze.

Around him, all I seemed to be able to do was smile.

His breathing was already ragged, the powerful man exuding more sensuality in his pinky than most men had in their entire bodies. Even the way he brushed the rough pads of his fingertips down my back created the kind of tingling that few women ever experienced. For a ruthless man, his gentleness continued to surprise me.

But I sensed something was troubling him. I’d learned enough about him to know that he was tense.

“What is it?” I asked, as if expecting he’d tell me his business. The resort was full of rich, powerful people, some of them likely criminals. That was the way of the world now. Wasn’t it? If you wanted to get ahead, you stepped on someone. How could I criticize him after learning early on my father wasn’t on the up and up?

It didn’t matter. I wasn’t marrying the man. I was enjoying a good time before real life came back into play. I couldn’t stay in paradise forever.

I was mildly stunned when he wrapped his hand around every stand of my wet hair, yanking on my head.

“It would seem according to one of my dealers that you couldn’t help yourself. You just had to run a con or two.”

“Oops.” I don’t know why I’d believed I could get away with it. The man noticed everything. Or he had hired flunkies telling him every detail of what was happening.

“Oops. Mmm… Were you aware one of the men you conned was a multiple Oscar-winning director of some of the most notable films of our time?”

“Oops again,” I whispered, noticing his hold was tightening.

“Uh-huh. I’ve sent him an invitation to the island several times over the years. This was the first time be brought his fiancée with him and was considering a membership. Oh, and the girl he was with is likely to be the next ‘it’ girl. Now I am likely going to need to tell him that he isn’t such a horrible gambler after all. I should require you to do that as a part of your penance.”

Every time he used words like discipline and punishment, I shuddered all the way to my core.

“I thought it was his daughter.” I sensed he was amused but still a tiny bit angry with me.

He chuckled in that same seductive, dangerous way I’d heard so often. “Nice try, koala bear. I think it’s about time we formally dealt with all your infractions now that you seem to be completely on the mend.”

“But I was in a horrific accident just a few hours ago.” I even coughed for effect.

“My little drama queen.”

When he pulled a wooden bath brush from the specially designed area meant for all things shower related, I sucked in my breath. Of course he was having the time of his life, twirling it in front of me.

“Not just for hot showers any longer.”

“That’s not fair.”

“How many times do I need to remind you of the same thing? Life isn’t always fair, but we do often receive consequences based on our bad decisions.”

He wasn’t in the mood to hesitate, his wrist audibly cracking as he brought the thick wooden head against my backside. Not once. Not twice but four times.

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