Sunlight bounced off the ripples of blue water surrounding us, and even though I had sunglasses on, the glare was so bright I had to lower my head to avoid it.
Royce lay next to me on the deck, a foot casually hanging off the side of the catamaran. He was the poster child for billionaire playboys right now, his aviator sunglasses covering his dark eyes and his black swim trunks slung low on his bronzed hips.
My gaze locked on the hand he had nestled on my upper thigh, his wedding ring glinting in the sun. It wasn’t until I was leaving my parents’ place that I realized where the wedding rings had come from. The fact that mymãehad given Royce my grandparents’ rings spoke volumes.
It was her blessing—loud and clear.
My smile widened as I traced the band that marked him as mine. Despite the stress of worrying what Stuart and his family would do, I couldn’t help but enjoy this alone time with Royce.
We’d laughed and played tourist in some stunning places, but we hadn’t really discussed expectations. Celibacy was… hard. Especially now, as I leered at my husband’s strong, muscular body even a nun couldn’t resist.
He pushed his glasses up on his head. “What are you reading?”
I cleared my throat before replying, “Um, just a novel.”
Of course the novel in my lap wasn’t helping matters either. It was a retelling of Christian Grey and his sexual experiences prior to meeting the innocent Anastasia. The book was so hot I half expected to burst into flames.
But I couldn’t focus on the pages. I could feel Royce’s lustful gaze on me, caressing every inch that wasn’t covered by my bikini. I felt it roam over me, touching every crevice, stroking each sensitive spot.
He propped himself up on his elbow, never removing his hand from my thigh. “What kind?”
“The kind you read.”More like the kind you’ve probably lived,I thought with a smirk.
“Read me a chapter.” I could hear the devilish smile in his words. “Please.”
I started to sweat and it had nothing to do with the blazing sun.
“It’s not that interesting.”
“That’s okay.” He squeezed my thigh. “I could use a nap.”
I let out an incredulous breath. Either he knew exactly what this book was about or he was distracting me.
“I never took you for the napping type.”
“I could be.”
I faked a scowl, but it came out as a lopsided grin. “You’re not old enough for naps.”
“You’re right,” he agreed, threading his fingers through mine. “We could always try adifferentkind of afternoon activity.”
I pasted on an impudent smile. “Can you be more specific?”
His dark smile sent sparks through me, and sweat began to run in rivulets down my back.
“I want to fuck your brains out right now,” he said, his voice turning dark and smoky, “and have you begging for my cock like a good little whore.”
Well, it seemed like celibacy was being thrown right off that table we’d put it on.
“I want to be your whore,” I whispered after a beat.
Heat blossomed in the pit of my stomach, and the air pulsed with an electric current. Blood roared in my ears, drowning out everything but the promise in his gaze.
“No matter what?”
My throat squeezed at the raw lust I saw in his eyes.
A soft sigh drifted from my lips and I whispered, “No matter what.”