Page 70 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

She barely makes a noise as I pull off her shoes and stretch out beside her. I grab the blanket from the foot of the bed and pull it over us. I can’t help but stare down at her, the dim lights from the main cabin give just enough light for me look at her profile. She grumbles and nuzzles closer to me, making my fucking chest feel like a bomb is about to go off. My love for her feels like an explosion.

I slide my arm under her and pull her onto my chest. Her soft, brown curls cover my arm. Her delicious fruity scent lingers around us. I’m going to buy the company that makes that perfume and only have it produced for her.

23

IVY

This yacht is incredible.There are three decks with outdoor spaces, tons of water toys, an inflatable slide from the top deck down to the water. Levi and I were lucky enough to snag one of the two master suites. Griff, Claire, and Zion all have single rooms a deck lower than ours.

The interior is decorated with Art Deco details, brilliant white upholstery, and shiny chrome accents. Our suite has a wall of windows facing the be,d and the bathroom is huge with a double shower, which we’ve just taken advantage of.

Levi hands me a signature cocktail from the chief stewardess. He looks absolutely ridiculous in a fluffy white robe and slippers that were hanging in the closet. He stares at me with a soft but intense look on his face.

“What?” I ask while I finger comb leave in conditioner through my curls. I’m letting my hair be wild and free this week. There’s no reason to spend hours straightening it when I’m surrounded by friends.

“I love that you wear your hair curly so often now. It’s always been my favorite way.” He reaches out and twirls a curl around his finger. “It’s like a physical representation of how you have moved past the toxicity from Jennifer. Like the curls are your butterfly wings.”

I grasp his hand and bring his palm to my lips, “Thank you.”

“Ivy!” Lilith yells through the door. “Hurry up, we’re all hungry and know you’re the one holding us up.”

I look down at myself, I’m actually dressed in shorts and a yellow bikini top. “I’m dressed,” I yell through the suite. “Levi’s the one who isn’t dressed.”

“We’re all just wearing bathing suits. Hurry up, Levi!”

“Chill, Hoodrat!” Levi yells back, and he pulls on a black speedo.

“Are you actually wearing that?” I chuckle. I’m used to seeing guys in speedos, but I can only imagine the ribbing that is about to take place.

“As if seeing a man in a speedo isn’t an everyday occurrence for you,” he retorts.

“Yeah but not over lunch.”

“Exactly,” he wiggles his brows mischievously.

We walk out onto the middle deck patio where our lunch is being served. Claire is spread out on a chaise lounge in a black one piece with cut outs on the side. She’s under an umbrella and out of the hot Mediterranean sun. Lilith is sitting in Con’s lap, wearing a sporty black bikini and unbuttoned jean shorts with her hair pulled up in a messy bun. Con’s wearing green board shorts an annoyed scowl once he notices Levi’s speedo.

“Really?” He asks dryly.

Griff looks up from his tablet and laughs. His chest and one arm are covered in tattoos now whereas it used to just be his back. He’s definitely added some more. He’s always the serious buttoned up one of the three, but underneath, he’s the tattooed badass.

“Ives has a thing for guys in speedos,” he winks at Con. “What my woman wants, she gets. I brought a pair for both you, Griff and Zion, too.”

“Fuck off,” Con says with no heat.

“Please, no.” Claire says walking up to take the seat between Griff and Zion. “I don’t need to see that much of my brother, ever. Really, all that,” she waves her hand toward Levi, “is too much, too.”

“I’ll wear a pair.” Zion says with a smirk. He’s the most dressed of all us in a white tank top and basketball shorts. “I forgot my trunks.”

“Yes!” Levi fist bumps him. “Come on, I’ll grab it for you.”

The two giants walk off, and Lilith slides in the seat beside me. “They’re going to take us out on the tender for some snorkeling this afternoon. Apparently, there are some caverns that are really amazing.”

“That sounds fun. Have you been snorkeling before?”

“Yeah, we went to Bora Bora a few summers ago. The guys took me snorkeling then. I’ll never get over how over the top these vacations are.” She looks around the deck, “you didn’t grow up quite this extra, did you?”

“Definitely not. We never really even took vacations. Dad has a vacation home on Martha’s Vineyard but that’s as swanky as we ever got.”

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