Page 53 of Roots of the Wicked

Chase’s face was lit with excitement. “What would you like to do first?”

Without answering him, I bolted to our sleeping quarters, with him hot on my trail. We laughed and shouted down the walls, racing to an unmarked finish line. It took me a hot second to throw on my bikini and find my way back to the deck. The staff had made themselves scarce, and although, I knew Chase and I weren’t alone, it felt like we were.

By the time he made it to the deck, I was lounging in one of the comfortable chairs enjoying the view of the shore as it became smaller. Beach towels, cold glasses of fruit-infused water, and a fresh tropical fruit tray sat waiting on our lounge side table when I arrived. A small remote sat on the table as well. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the service-call button on the device, which further proved Chase could have what he wanted, whenever he wanted it, at the push of a button.

The endless living portrait, of the pale sky kissing the dark ocean waves stole my attention. The July heat on water wasn’t the same on land. Out here, the heat caressed you like you had been dropped into a thick cloud of warm hugs. The water danced as the waves created a song. The sun caressed the clouds, making them blush hues of orange and red.

After a quiet moment of the warm flowing breeze, Chase approached and stood above me.

“I could get used to this,” I stated, expressing a bit of the joy that had started to settle into me.

“Good. We can do this whenever you want.” His statement sounded like a promise.

His eyes roved, checking me out with meticulous intensity. The two-pieces of white material I wore covered the parts society decided needed to be covered, but not much else.

Almost frozen in place with my hand tucked behind my head, I fought the urge to react to his probing gaze. It was difficult to keep my eyes on the dwindling shore, while sensing his eyes teasing every inch of me.

“Jax,” he called.

The sound of his voice turned me on, making my pussy ache with thirst and hunger. I glanced up, unable to keep a smile from surfacing.

“Yes.”

“You are the sexiest woman in the world.” The truth in his words shined through his eyes.

“Thank you.” I giggled. His compliment made me feel special, silly, and anxious.

When I stood, Chase took me into his arms, his heat soaking into me. The blue and white swim shorts he wore hung low on his waist. Seeing and touching his body again was wreaking havoc on my libido.

Tall, fit, with bulging muscles in all the right spots to highlight his strength. I thoroughly enjoyed our height difference. Without shoes, I was eye-level with the top of his chest where it ran into his broad shoulders. I raked the tip of my nail across one dark pink nipple before my gaze found his.

“And you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on,” I replied, hoping he found truth in my words. The astute bad-boy vibe had drawn me in from the start and hadn’t let go.

The blogs and magazines had had been right on some accounts. Chase was funny, handsome, and charming. He could also fuck like a mythical creature created specifically for the task.

His hands slid around my waist and rested on my ass. I didn’t believe he’d intended the action as a sexual one, but I would be damn if a rush of wet-heat hadn’t leaked from me. He must have sensed my mood because he lowered his mouth to mine and feasted on my lips. It didn’t take but the tip of his seeking tongue on mine before he lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

I’d locked lips with many before Chase, but it had never felt like this. This was a level of intimacy I wasn’t used. I hadn’t allowed myself to go this far with anyone but him.

The staff had been forgotten along with us being visible to the shore, and the fact that it was broad daylight. I don’t know what kind of spell he was casting on me, but I was hooked.

What the fuck am I thinking?

I wasn’t one to get hooked as I usually cut the shit short before emotions were even a factor. However, Chase had the keys to unlocking a set of emotions I didn’t know needed satisfying.

My weighted legs slid down his until my feet touched the hardwood deck. With one last kiss, my mouth fell away from his.

“What’s wrong?” His forehead creased.

“We’re like two horny teenagers?” When I glanced around him, the shoreline had transformed to a bouncing line riding the waves. How long had we been stuck together?

“You’re America’s favorite billionaire,” I reminded him. “People watch you, stalk you, and I don’t want my picture splattered all over the tabloids and Internet.”

His hand remained at my waist. “You’re right. I should know better. It’s why I instructed the driver to take us hundreds of miles out.”

My mind reeled. “Does that mean we’ll be sailing towards international waters?”

“Yes. The distance will also be a deterrent to any vultures, angling for a picture, or to get a story. I want us to get as much privacy as we can. I would like this to be our time and not their story. If I knew how to operate this boat, I would have left the staff, but they have instructions to remain invisible unless we need something.”

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