Page 97 of Some Like It Fox

Eight monthslater

Taylor

The sky is cerulean blue, stretching to the horizon and punctuated by a smattering of fluffy white clouds. The turquoise sea mirrors the boundless sky. Gentle waves lap at the pristine white sand beach.

I could stare at this view forever.

Atticus pops up about thirty feet offshore, swimming toward the sand before climbing out of the ocean and stalking toward me. Water drips down his broad shoulders and chest, his swim trunks sticking to his muscled thighs.

I push myself up on my elbows to get a better look.

Yep. I could definitely gaze at this for eternity.

When he’s within shouting distance, I wrinkle my nose. “You’re blocking the view.”

He stops in front of me, bends over to rip his shorts off before chucking them at me, the wet fabric thwacking me in the face and upper chest. Laughing, I slap the trunks down into the towel and then take him in.

Wowza.

He’s buck naked and slicked with water and completely shameless.

And mine.

My mouth goes dry.

The water must be warm.

“I’m really glad this beach is deserted.” My voice is husky, my eyes fixated on the giant hunk of man looming above me.

“Me too.” He drops beside me, stretching out on his back, blocking the bright sun with a forearm slung over his eyes.

We’re in Antipaxos, off the coast of Greece. We took the ferry from Corfu and then decided to stay for a couple of days and explore the island. The better to find a secluded little slice of heaven where we can fulfill one of my other bucket list items.

I shift to my side, drinking him in, hand clenching on the towel.

It’s a game we’ve been playing throughout our entire vacation: who will jump the other person first? I can’t give intooeasily, but the beauty of the game is even if I lose, it’s still winning.

This whole trip has been a dream come true, two sun-filled, idyllic weeks exploring Greece and surrounding islands.

Atticus informed me just last week he would be taking me somewhere, refused to detail where, and ensured everything at Veronica’s would be taken care of while we were gone. He insisted on paying for everything, despite my protests, since Moira and Paul had invested all the money he was paying them in rent for years and he needed to do something good with the money.

The past eight months have been a whirlwind. I bought Veronica’s. I was able to obtain a decent loan since Veronica’s is an established business already churning out a profit, which has only gotten better and better each month with the inclusion of the live music every Saturday night. I also joined forces with Mindy to put on a semiannual music festival featuring only Outfoxed artists.

It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun and fulfilling and I’m happy. I get to see my family more often. I get to wake up with Atticus every day.

Atticus, who is currently doing his best to ignore me, even though I’m pressed against his side and only wearing two little scraps of barely-there fabric.

I sit up and reach behind my back, tugging at the strings of my top. “I can finally get rid of my tan lines.” I slide the straps down my arms, reaching over to let the fabric whisper over his abs, enjoying the corresponding flex of his muscles before I toss the bikini next to his shorts.

“I’m not looking.” The words are pressed between his clenched teeth. His eyes are squeezed shut, his fists clenched at his side.

“Hmm. That’s too bad. You know, I think I should rub on some sunscreen. I don’t think burned nipples would be a great look. Or feel, for that matter.” I reach over for my bag, making as much noise as possible while I squeeze the bottle and then spread the lotion on with a groan. “Oh, that’s nice.”

It starts with a low rumble, emanating from his chest and increasing in volume as my moaning gets more and more exaggerated.

With a muttered curse, he finally concedes, rolling in my direction and sweeping me down, coming over top of me and nuzzling into my neck, one hand coming up to cover my breast.

So predictable.

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