Mia stood by the railing, champagne glass cool in her hand, watching the rippling water beneath the moonlight. The night air brushed her skin, carrying the faint scent of the river and the distant city.
Alexander came up behind her. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her gently back against his chest. She felt the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the warmth of him contrasting with the cool breeze.
He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, his lips lingering just long enough to make her heart skip. “Do you like it?” he murmured.
She nodded, a small smile curving her lips. “It’s beautiful. I like being near the water.”
He turned her gently, pressing her back against the railing. His hands came down on either side of her, bracketing her in. The gold-toned metal was cool through her clothes, sending a faint shiver through her as she tilted her chin up to meet his gaze.
Mia rose onto her toes and kissed him.
Chapter 17 Don’t Leave Me
This time, she didn’t hesitate.
The kiss deepened. His hand slid from the railing to her waist, fingers tightening slightly as if to steady himself. The world narrowed to the warmth of his mouth, the quiet hum of the yacht, and the distant glow of the city behind them.
Her heartbeat raced as she pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes bright, her breath uneven.
Something softened in Alexander’s expression at the sight. His thumb brushed lightly along her jaw before he leaned in again, kissing her slower this time, then trailing his lips along her cheek, down her jaw, and to the sensitive curve of her neck.
Mia’s breath hitched. Her fingers curled into his shirt instinctively.
The faint taste of champagne lingered on her skin. Alexander took the glass from her hand, took a sip himself, then leaned down again—letting a single drop slip along her chin and down her neck.
His mouth followed it.
Mia clutched at him, breathless, the river rocking gently beneath them, the stars and city lights blurring into something distant and unreal.
Alexander’s mouth trailed back up to meet hers, his tongue stroking the corner of her lower lip before he took it between his lips and sucked hungrily. He covered her mouth with his own, devouring her lips, soaking her breath, then tilted his head and repeated the same slow torment on her upper lip.
Mia could barely breathe. His kisses were rough, consuming. He grabbed the back of her head and kissed her again and again, leaving her gasping and whimpering into his mouth.
Then she felt his hand grip the hem of her dress and tug it upward. The moment the fabric reached her waist, she shot her hands down, trying to hold it in place.
“Alexander, we are in the open,” she whispered, the sound of water surrounding them, the lights of the yacht glowing around her.
Alexander pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “Do you see anyone around?” he asked calmly. “It is only you and me here.”
Before she could respond, he grabbed the dress and, in one smooth motion, pulled it over her head. The fabric fell to the ground at her feet, leaving her standing in nothing but her bra and panties.
His eyes dragged over her body openly, shamelessly, so filthy that heat rushed to her face. She blushed and turned away instinctively, crossing her arms to cover herself before looking back at him.
“Mr. Graves, stop looking at me like that.”
Alexander licked his lips, his gaze roaming over her like a predator eyeing prey. “And how else do you expect me to look at you?” he said.
Her breath hitched when their eyes met. She tried to step back, but he caught her by the waist, spun her around, and took both her hands, pressing them against the cool metal of the yacht.
“Hold,” he ordered.
His hands slid up her arms, over her shoulders, then down her back. Mia trembled, her grip tightening on the metal as his palm traced lower, skimming her hips before slipping between her legs for a brief, delicate stroke. He rubbed her softly, just once, then withdrew, letting his fingertips trail over her exposed skin.
Mia gasped, arching back into him without thinking.
The sharp smack against her hips came instantly.
“Don’t move,” he said low, leaning close to her ear. “If you move, you will be punished. You do not want to be punished, do you?”
