Page 25 of Elusive Surrender

I know she’s just joking, but Alexis laughs. “No, no, Kate. Sheldon was able to get the lipstick we use for actresses and actors. It’s not going to smudge or wash off without a special cleansing cream. It’s made to stay on through take after take,” she says, winking at Katarina.

Katarina thanks Alexis and tells her to make herself at home while we’re gone today, and that she’s looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. I take the bag of supplies from Alexis and place my palm on her lower back before escorting her to another bank of elevators that will take us to the pool area. “I’ll show you around. I want you to feel comfortable to explore and pamper yourself some while I’m away,” I say as the door opens onto the patio in front of an Olympic-sized affinity pool that has the Tyrrhenian Sea as a backdrop.

“Sheldon, this is absolutely magnificent. Wow.”

I watch as Alexis takes it all in, her bright eyes scouring the lush and opulent surroundings. The bright blue water shimmers from the sun, while the blue-green sea sparkles with life behind it. “It’s an impressive view. The first time I saw it, I was checking out all the security needs before Chase and Katarina arrived.”

“It’s absolutely breathtaking.”

“Couldn’t agree more. Feel free to take a swim, use the whirlpool, or just lay out if you want, but stay out of the sun,” I say, gesturing to the columns of marble cabanas that rest atop the smooth stone pool deck.

“I saw that fantastic swimsuit you purchased. Now I’ll have a chance to wear it.”

“And I’ll have a hard time keeping my eyes off you, instead of working.”

Alexis smiles but then turns to look at me, her mouth opened wide as she realizes exactly what I meant. “Sheldon! You can watch me on camera?”

I smirk at her look of indignance and gesture around us. “It’s probably pretty well known, or at least assumed, that the entire estate is canvassed with cameras.”

“And just how would you be able to see me?”

“That would be a trade secret, I’m afraid,” I say, unable to control my face-splitting grin at the narrowed eyes and look of total disbelief she throws my way. “Behave yourself or I’ll know!”

“And what will you do if I don’t?” she counters.

The flirty little seductress is making my cock throb hard as I think about exactly what I’d do. I tilt her chin, gazing down into the sparkling eyes gleaming with mischief. “You’ll find your perfectly shaped ass tipped upside down for a good paddling, my style.”

Lex bites her lip, and her cheeks flush with a delicate pink. “And that’s a deterrent, right?”

I pull Alexis to me. “It’s the truth.” I cradle her neck, caressing the creamy skin and feeling the gentle pulse increase with my touch before kissing her lips, parting them so I can explore the sweetness beyond.

She sighs, sparking the intensity of my desire for her insanely sexy submissive side, and tilts her head, gazing up at me with those eyes that a man could absolutely drown in.

I stroke a finger down her cheek and over her freshly kissed lips. “You’re not safe here with me, Lex. I want to devour every single inch of you right now, but I promised you a first date. Come, let’s go meet Gaby.”

She pouts so sweetly, giving me a sassy smile as I take her hand. We find the lovable house manager in the kitchen, and her face lights up with a big smile as we enter. She pulls off her apron and tosses it on the counter, bustling over to me for a big hug.

“Good to see you, Gaby. This is Alexis, the one I told you about. She’ll be staying with us for the next week or so.”

“Nice to meet you! Alexis, you’re so pretty! And you have the most beautiful eyes,” Gaby says. I watch as the compliment causes Lexie’s cheeks to flush a pretty pink and her eyes to get even brighter.

“You’re too kind,” Lexie says, and I make small talk to ward off the inquisition, that although curtailed for today, will most likely catch up with us all tomorrow. “Did you have a nice trip over?” I ask Gaby.

“It was relaxing, but it’s been pretty busy since we got to Italy. It gets that way when you call more crews in, young man,” she scolds good-naturedly.

I grin. “Sorry, Gaby. We probably should have given you more warning. I’ll try to remember that next time,” I say, but by the looks of the kitchen, she and her team are well prepped for the other four crews who have been brought in to help us keep the family safe.

“I’m going to show Lex back upstairs. We’ll need to head out before too long, but I’ll stop by tomorrow.”

“You better come say hello! I have questions for you, young man. Oh, and, Alexis, feel free to come back and keep me company once Sheldon leaves,” Gaby calls out as I guide Alexis out of the kitchen.

Alexis stops midstride and turns, her blonde curls bouncing with the movement. “Count on it! I want to know everything you can tell me about this guy,” she says.

I smirk, leading her on a tour of the rest of the rooms in the house, wanting her to feel at home while she’s here.

“Where do all the security team sleep? Or is that one of those classified questions?”

“The security team have an entire home of their own on the property, but I’ve been with Katarina for quite a while. Chase hasn’t brought Katarina to his estate in Italy before and wanted her to feel safe and secure with everything going on between the families, so he asked me to stay in the main house.”

---