Page 1 of The Ring Thief
CHAPTER 1
Lily
Istep through the balcony doors. A warm breeze brushes against my face and through my loose hair as I breathe in the briny scent of the ocean. I can hear the waves crashing gently against the golden shore, mingling with the crying gulls overhead, and I sigh.
It’s surreal being here, especially knowing that there’s nothing I have to do; nothing I have to plan. The tension eases out of my shoulders, and it feels like I can take a full breath for the first time in months.
I glance down at my hand, wrapped around the metal balustrade, and I spy the newly added wedding band. It shimmers brightly in the morning sun, perfectly matching the brilliant solitaire on my engagement ring.
There’s the sound of a footstep behind me, before a warm body slots up against mine, tanned forearms wrapping around my waist.
“Morning, wife,” Declan says, voice still rough from sleep.
I grin, eyes on the horizon. “Morning, husband.”
He smiles, leaning down to nuzzle my neck, forcing a shiver down my spine as his bristles scrape against my sensitive skin. “How’re you feeling this morning?”
“Glad that we chose Hawaii for our honeymoon,” I say. “I’m not missing the dreariness of home at all.”
He hums thoughtfully, resting his chin on the top of my head. “You’ve been stressed the past week,” he murmurs quietly, his breath brushing over the hairs on top of my head. “The past month,” he corrects.
“I know.” I rest my hands on the top of his, tracing my fingers over the protruding veins. “It all got—” I pause, trying to find the right words but coming up blank. “It was a lot…the wedding. I didn’t expect it to be as big as it was. But your father?—”
His hands tense under mine. “Never misses the opportunity to schmooze, hm?” There’s an edge in his voice, a strain, that has me grimacing.
I turn in his hold, reaching up to wrap my arms around his neck as I take in the tousled blond hair and the tight corners of his mouth, matching the hardness in his rich brown eyes.
His father has always been a sore point for him, especially since he stepped down as CEO at Nexus Capital, a financial investment firm that Donald Masters built from the ground up. Declan took on the mantle of CEO three years ago, but Donald still refuses to fully let go of control, micromanaging and interfering with Declan every step of the way.
Declan has never really opened up about it, but I got the sense that their relationship has always been a little brittle and icy. Though that’s not a surprise considering the kind of man Donald Masters is—cold, arrogant, and condescending.
I didn’t like him and was always relieved when I didn’t have to spend time with him.
“It doesn’t matter,” I tell him with a smile. “It’s done. We’re married. Which means you’re stuck with me forever.”
Something flashes across his face, too fast for me to catch, but then he’s leaning down, distracting me when his lips brush against mine. “I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend forever,” he whispers. He nips my bottom lip before his mouth slants fully against mine, his arms crushing my body into his.
By the time he pulls back, we’re both panting, and my panties are damp with arousal. Declan smiles, slow and wicked, his eyes dark with desire.
“What do we have planned for the day?” he asks huskily, lips swollen. “Because I’ve got a few ideas.”
A giggle escapes me as I waggle my eyebrows. “If it involves you, me and that bed—” I point back into our suite over his shoulder, “—then count me in.”
His smile widens and then he’s bending down, sweeping me into his arms, bridal style. “You read my mind, baby.”
We spent all day, and night, in bed together, before we finally ventured out the next morning, starting off our day with a full breakfast at the restaurant attached to the resort. One side of the restaurant is made up of large glass sliding doors and they’re all open, giving customers access to the outdoor seating area and letting sunshine filter inside.
The place is crowded, but it doesn't take long for a server to get to us, and after she takes our order, Declan leans back in his chair, eyeing me.
“So, what’s on our itinerary for today? I think a couples massage should go on the list at some point…” He makes a show of stretching out his back and neck. “I’ve got some kinks I need to get worked out after the way you’ve been using me.”
I let out a choked gasp. “Using you? If anyone’s using anyone, it’s you using me!”
He laughs with an unrepentant grin, winking at me. “And I’ll use you some more, if you like.”
I stare at him, tempted to take him up on his offer, but after a moment, I shake my head. “We have a wine tasting tour booked to visit several of the local wineries.” I send him a pointed look. “I’d also like to actually go to the beach sometime today.”
“We’re here for two weeks, Lily,” he reminds me. “This is only our second full day.”
