Page 30 of Clause & Effect
My breath catches. Okay so maybe I’d be down for the naked stocking dance.
His stare is so intense that I’m pretty sure the rest of the crew can feel the sexual tension swirling between us. It’s heady. Why the hell does it smell like sugar? Stetson towers over me, his eyes linger on my mouth before reaching my eyes like he’s trying to read me.
I make the mistake of looking over at Grace who mouths the word:
Rudolph.
Asshole!
I focus on the gorgeous man in front of me who even though does have a rather strange obsession with Christmas is still the hottest man I’ve ever encountered, and I’m one thousand percent drawn to him.
Make a million.
So what if he has a reindeer?
Tons of rich people have exotic pets! She wouldn’t bat one flipping eye at a tiger! Great, now I have Eye of the Tiger playing on repeat in my head with Stetson as my target.
“Do you have more than one?” I blurt out.
With a wolfish smile, Stetson cocks his brow. “Trust me, one is plenty enough.”
My face burns, from my cheeks to my forehead all the way down my neck. I probably look like Rudolph now.
“I me-meant,” oh jeez stop freaking stammering! “A reindeer? Rudolph?”
He laughs in my face and bites down on his lower lip chuckling even harder. “See? As established. Very cute.” His eyes go from alert to lazy in seconds, grazing over my still hot cheeks and mouth. “I think it’s time you and I had a talk.”
“About the clause you made me sign?” I ask.
“Yes,” he says. “That… and other exciting things, we’ve entertained the reindeer enough.”
I can feel a firestorm start in my body.
“Other things?” I repeat
His gaze drops to my lips for the fourth time, at least we have the same thing on our minds. I think.
“Can I give you a private tour?” He asks, jolting my attention from kissing to the yacht.
I can barely manage a slight nod, my head’s a mess.
Stetson takes my hand in his and electric bolts shoot up my arm. I somehow forgot how intimate this act is. Fingers entwined. Naked skin touching. It’s familiar. It’s nice and dangerous all at once.
Even though I’m on fire inside, holding Stetson’s hand feels like the most natural thing in the world to do like we’ve done it before and will continue doing it again.
I’ve never really felt a beginning with anyone.
I like it.
Grace clears her throat. She and Devon are watching us like hawks. Devon looks between us.
“Jayson will be right back and show you guys to the orca watching deck. Charlie and I will join you… after I show her around.” Stetson announces.
I can barely bring myself to breathe, let alone look at Grace.
“Of course,” Devon says quickly with a giant smile. “Take your time.”
Grace stays suspiciously quiet, her eyes narrow.
