Page 74 of Exposed

“I never thought I’d see this in real life. You grew up seeing this, you lucky duck. It’s breathtaking,” I remark.

There are a few people walking along the shore, stirring up the algae with their feet in the surf. It’s mostly quiet, though, which is a stark contrast to Miami’s rowdy beaches.

Since I’ve been Simon’s nanny, Matt’s brought me to Aveline a few times to have dinner or lunch with his family, and it seems like a peaceful place to grow up.

Not for the first time, I wonder what would it havebeen like to have a childhood like his. Simon is going to grow up like a little prince, he’ll be so treasured. My mind dances with visions of being there to watch him learn to walk, throw a ball, ride a bike, see this bioluminescence and learn all about the world around him.

What if my marriage to Matt were real? What if I got to stay with Simon and Matt for the rest of my life? Simon is a special baby, and his dad is one of a kind. I kind of wish this marriage were real.

Sighing, I glance heavenward, and the night sky is bursting with twinkling stars and a crescent moon. I don’t know if we’ll be able to clear my name. The rest of my days could be spent in a jail cell for crimes I didn’t commit. I can’t sit here and dwell on a future with Matt and Simon that may never happen.

My days of living outside of prison walls could be numbered. Whoever framed me could be hot on my tail and find me tomorrow. That last thought plagues me every night.

Pushing all those possibilities out of my head, I focus on the present. Tonight I’m free, and I get to be with Matt. Hopefully, it’ll be our first night of actual sex. We’ve gotten each other off and done oral several times, and I’m ready to go all the way with him.

Not to mention, I couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting for our first time. Tonight, I’ll pretend I’m a princess, because Matt is a real life Prince Charming. For now, he’s my husband. I said he’s a lucky duck, but for the time being, I’m one, too.

Between the glow-in-the-dark ocean water below andthe twinkling night sky above, it’s hard to take my eyes off the beauty surrounding us.

Except Matt is so sexy, with his veiny, muscled hands and forearms flexing as he turns the wheel of the boat, then kills the engine.

He’s definitely my favorite nighttime view.

“Oh, wife. That’s fucking hot of you to say. You’re my favorite view all the time,” he grins.

I said that out loud, and I laugh at his response. “Thanks, Matt. This is freaking awesome. I’ve never been on a boat before, much less seen bioluminescence.”

He looks at me with a sly grin. “Gonna give you another first tonight.” He drops the anchor with a splash, then lights a candle and sets it on the driver’s seat. The smell of salty ocean air mixes with a coconut fragrance.

“Another first? I’m not swimming with the sharks.” I draw that boundary fast and hard.

“No swimming tonight,” he agrees with a chuckle.

Matt spreads a big blanket on the open space at the front of the boat. “Lay down with me.”

“What the…?” The blanket is the same super soft, lush material as Simon’s blanket. Except instead of the blue color, a beautiful sunflower print covers it.

“Happy wedding day, wife.” He’s grinning at me when my eyes find his again. We lay together, and he props himself up with one elbow and faces me.

“The sunflowers at the ceremony were gorgeous, Matt.”

“Yeah, they turned out great.”

Matt always seems open to listening to me, so I share more of myself with him. “At show-and-tell one year in elementary school, one of the rich girls broughtphotos of herself in a sunflower field. There were several big sunflower fields near where I grew up in Newburgh, New York. I always wanted to go to one but never had the chance. Thanks for going to all that trouble today.”

“It was no trouble. My family helped, and they recruited my friends to help.”

“Your family and friends are saints,” I whisper. “My own family would’ve never done that for me.”

“Your family was horrible for not treating you like the precious gift you are.” His lips meet mine in a sensual kiss, his thumb caressing my cheek as he cups my face. He’s slow but purposeful. Each stroke of his tongue in my mouth has me imagining him doing the same on my clit.

He breaks the kiss but keeps holding my face. “This isn’t a regular marriage, but you’re my wife now. I’ll protect you and make sure we find out who framed you, Pep. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for helping me try to get sole custody of Simon.”

“I’m here to help,” I whisper. Truth be told, I like feeling needed.

Matt’s lips find mine again, and I melt against his body. Without Simon here, there’s no rush. Waves lap against the boat, creating a rhythmic, zen-like sound. The boat gently sways back and forth, and we’re rocked by the waves as Matt’s hands explore up under my clothes.

Every guy I’ve been with, my affinity for them waned the more I got to know them. It’s the opposite with Matt. The more I get to know him, the more I fall for him. Sometimes, I think I’m going to wake up and realize meeting him was all a dream. But I sure hope not.

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