Page 124 of The Plus One Contract

“Then you’d better come with me.”

Before he can argue, I pick up my skirt and jog over the sand toward the shoreline. The ocean roars louder, and salt stings my nose. My heart is thrumming with excitement, or maybe terror. I chance a glance back. Nathan’s swearing under his breath, but he’s following me.

We reach the water’s edge, foamy waves curling at my ankles. Turning to face him, the wind lifts my hair around my face, and everything feels alive.

No regrets, Sienna. Live a little, right?

He stops in front of me, eyes flicking over my gown. “You’re insane.”

“Don’t you ever get tired of letting life pass you by?” I ask. “Five minutes…just five minutes to live. To forget everything else?”

His throat bobs as he swallows, his gaze dark. “Sienna,” he warns, but I see the spark in his eyes. “If you remove any more clothes, I’ll—”

A laugh trembles in my chest. I tug the bodice of my dress lower, feeling the cool air caress my skin. He’s looking at me like he’s about to spontaneously combust.

“You’ll what?” I whisper, hooking the fabric over my hips, letting it slide an inch. My nipples bead against the slight breeze.

He takes one step forward, voice dropping to a growl. “I will take you right here, right now. I’m being serious, Sienna.”

My pulse leaps. Something hot coils in me.

“It’s about time,” I say, my heartbeat thudding so hard I can hardly hear my own thoughts. I want to close the distance, press against him. The waves swirl around my ankles, higher with each crash.

He cups my jaw with one big hand, thumb tugging my bottom lip free from my teeth, and all I see is raw hunger in his eyes.

He leans in.

I think I might die here.

A sudden flash of light arcs across the shoreline, followed by a distant voice calling out, “Ma’am, you can’t do that here!”

We freeze, hearts pounding. I yank the bodice of my dress up. Nathan whips his head around, spotting a security guard marching toward us from a few yards away.

Without missing a beat, Nathan swings his arm in front of me, shielding my breasts with his forearm as best he can while I scramble to fix my dress.

Oh God, oh God, oh God.

The guard’s voice carries again, closer now. “Ma’am? Sir? This beach is private at night. Resort policy. You can’t be doing that here.”

Nathan mutters a curse under his breath. “Pull up your dress,” he hisses.

“I am!” I snap, fumbling to put the straps in place.

“Hand me your heels.”

“What?”

“Just give me the damn shoes.”

I pass them over, adrenaline pounding in my ears.

Then, with terrifying ease and absolutely zero warning, Nathan grabs me by the waist and throws me over his shoulder.

I shriek. “Oh my God!”

“Shut up,” he grunts, gripping my thighs.

“Nathan!” I wheeze, bouncing as he takes off in a sprint. “Put me down—I’m going to pee myself—”

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