“Only yours.” I give him what he needs, and he returns the gesture by rolling the pinched nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Then he slowly trails his hand down to my clit and flicks the bud before rubbing his finger back and forth. With his hand still wrapped in my hair, he tilts my head to expose the other side of my neck. He licks down to my shoulder and sucks. His fingers and cock work me into a frenzy, pulling me into the most intense orgasm I think I’ve ever had, and I lose myself in the pleasure. In him.
By the time I can think again, I’m resting on Jax’s chest with his arms around me. The moment is perfect. I feel warm, safe, and thoroughly fucked. I don’t want to open my eyes—don’t want to move or ruin the moment. I don’t want anything to break the bubble we created for ourselves.
Chapter Fourteen
Jax
ThefeelofLilyagainst my skin is total comfort. She fits against me like a puzzle piece—the one I’ve been missing for so many years.
In more ways than one, I’m thinking about this lazy tangle of limbs we made. Her hair tickles my chin, her head rests on my chest, and her arm drapes over my stomach. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed someone by my side so much in a long time.
The scent of her strawberry shampoo mixed with the ocean breeze is forever burned in my mind. And, as much as I’ve tried to resist it—resist us—I can live with that.
Even though my eyes are closed, I’m awake, dragging my fingers along her skin. The feel of her breath sweeps softly over my chest in warm waves. A greedy part of me urges the world to stand still, to let us live in this moment for as long as we desire. Better men than me have tried to do the same and failed just as thoroughly.
I crack my eyes open to look at my watch, then mumble a few choice words. “Get up.” I nudge her, but I don’t wait for her to follow through. Instead, I sit up, dumping her off me. Cute little grumbles fall in my direction, and I bite back a laugh. She’s so fucking adorable.
I lean over to her kiss to make it better, however, Lily has other ideas. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and draws me back into bed with her. I chuckle against her lips, then use her greed against her. I straighten as she seeks more kisses, pulling her to stand up with me.
“. . . cheater,” she huffs, pouting. If I thought she was adorable moments earlier, she’s even more so now. I pay it no mind other than to smile at her.
“We have another vendor to meet, and we’re going to be late.” I find her dress and toss it to her. “Get dressed.”
“Fine,” she says in a playful whine.
Her cheeky mannerisms are something I can quickly get used to. I can imagine us exchanging banter in a bedroom we share. Struggling to get to work on time could become a familiar and enjoyable habit.
“I hope you realize this isn’t over.” Lily seeks out her panties and bra and begins buttoning up her dress.
A devilish grin comes to my face as I step into my pants. “Is that a promise or a threat?” I don’t have time to duck before her sun hat hits me square in the face. My laughter fills the room, loud and unrestrained. I haven’t laughed this easily in years. Yet somehow, just like smiling, laughing comes easy around Lily.
The ride down in the elevator consisted of a game of Keep Your Hands to Yourself. Lily starts it by stroking her hand over my ass. I gently push her hand away, only to have her give me a pinch. I escalate it by poking her in the ribs. She bursts out into laughter. It’s childish fun, but the weight I’ve carried for years feels lighter.
We stride through the lobby with amusement touching our lips, but it fleets immediately upon seeing her father outside by the curb, waiting for the car. I didn’t realize he was planning on coming along for this meeting, but it makes sense. He’s here, and it’s part of his business too.
Our luck is beginning to run out.
Alexander looks up from his watch as we come outside to join him. “Ah, good. Just in time.” As the car pulls up, I see my partner’s eyes flicker from his daughter to me, then back again. “Lily, sit up front, would you?” He puts his hand on her back to guide her into the passenger seat. “I want to talk with Jax before we meet.” He doesn’t seem to give her much choice in the matter. Thankfully, she doesn’t resist, and smartly doesn’t glance at me before she gets in the car.
My collar feels too tight as I settle into the backseat. It’s just my nerves, I know. There’s only one reason I can think of why Alexander would want to talk to me alone. He knows. Did we give something away in our interactions? Did one of the staff speak out of turn? Anything is possible. I checked my phone after I turned it on this morning, and there were no missed calls or texts from him, so that couldn’t have aroused suspicion. Unless he’d called Lily, but I assume she would have said something. Well, I’m about to quickly discover what’s on his mind.
He slides next to me into the car but waits until the driver pulls away to start the conversation. “We’re meeting Mr. and Mrs. van den Berg, a Dutch couple who retired to the island a handful of years ago. They already owned the land, but he decided to start a tobacco plantation when doing nothing didn’t sit well with him or the missus.”
My partner prattles off more details about the vendor we’re about to meet, but I’m only half hearing them. While the conversation is unexpected, Alexander and his tone are off. He seems distant, or cold. I may be reading too much into it. It’s possible it’s just my guilty conscience for having fantastic sex with his daughter earlier this morning that is coloring my view of him. I want to speak up and reassure him about . . . whatever it is. Or it could be nothing at all. It might be best to go with the latter possibility, out of self-preservation.
We reach the plantation around 3 p.m. The van den Bergs will host us for tea after they give us a quick tour of the facilities. It’s already been agreed upon that Lily will take the lead again while Alexander and I observe. It won’t be necessary for us to be completely silent—we are the owners, after all—but Lily did so well this morning, I’m eager for Alexander to see her in action.
The couple greets us at the car with smiles to indicate a warm welcome and they’re happy to be here. With their rose-tinged faces, blond hair bleached from too much sun, and blue eyes, they fit right in amongst the palm trees, sandy driveway, and tropical air.
Alexander and I follow Lily as she meets the couple halfway. “Mr. and Mrs. van den Berg, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She reaches out to shake their hands. “I’m Lily Summers, and this is my father, Alexander, and his business partner, Jax Griffin.”
“Welcome to our home,” Mrs. van den Berg says. Her Dutch accent is thick but charming. “Come. See the paradise we’ve made for ourselves.” She gestures toward the property behind them, then takes her husband’s arm as they lead the way.
Lily walks closely behind them as they take us on tour. Once again, she knows her stuff. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. We see their growing and curing process directly, but it’s slightly different from what we expected. There are more Central American techniques applied to their operation that I didn’t think would work. By the end of the tour, Lily learns how they make it work. The result is a Caribbean cigar that holds an earthier flavor. I’m impressed. We hang back a little since Lily is taking the lead, and before the tour’s over, Alexander tells me he approves. Our conversation is in hushed tones while Lily keeps our hosts engaged.
Now, all we need to do is negotiate the contract. That’s where Alexander takes over—much to Lily’s dismay. Lily seems to be in her element.
The van den Bergs take us to a small gazebo next to their private house, where we’ll complete the meeting over tea. Alexander sits closest to our hosts and begins the contract negotiations, while Lily sits next to me.