“Okay, you two,” Evelyn says, gaining our attention. “Keep your clothes on.”
I chuckle as I step back, placing some space between myself and my very turned on husband. Nico refuses to let me go too far and pulls me into him, my back to his chest.
“How was the shopping?” He asks.
“It was lovely.” My mother grins. “Thank you for your generosity.”
He places another kiss on the back of my neck. Something about his lips on that sensitive area sends a shiver straight down my spine and between my legs.
“You’re welcome. Cyrus is going to see you back to the island. Tiffany and I are staying a few days on the mainland.”
I turn to look up at him. I had no idea we were staying. And yes, I bought a few things while out, but I don’t have my toothbrush, my body wash, or any underwear.
“I don’t have my bags.”
He grins. “Anything you need, I can get for you here.”
I open my mouth to make one more claim, but he stops me.
“I’ve already talked to Ms. Rose. She said Noah is fine.”
I have to laugh because he read my mind perfectly.
“Darling, you put up too much of a fuss.” Mother grabs a few of my bags from Jake. She makes sure to grab the bag with the bathing suit. She walks over and hands the bags to me with a wink. “You two enjoy your night.”
Nico waves a hand, and a tall, lean guy appears. He looks young, but I imagine he isn’t. Jake hands off the rest of the bags to Cyrus, who I’ve heard mentioned before but have never met face to face. He and my mother walk away.
“Let’s go,” Nico says, taking my bags and opening the door for me. I climb inside the car. The buttery soft seats wrap around me like silk. He tosses the bags in the trunk before walking over to the driver’s side. He says something to Ghost before opening the door and getting in.
I lean over the center console and kiss his lips. When I try to pull away, he grabs my neck and keeps me there before sticking his tongue down my throat in a passionate and consuming kiss.
“I love you,” he says when he finally pulls away.
“Love you too.”
With that, the car purrs to life, and we pull away from the curb. Today was a great day.
chapter Twenty-three
Mine
Nico
I’m going to have to buy Mason a bottle of his favorite bourbon for suggesting this vacation. Tiffany and I have completely reconnected over the last five days. We’ve bonded more here than we did in the entire first year of our marriage.
We talk a lot more now. Nothing too heavy about my past. I think she is trying to be respectful, given that the subject is touchy. Our conversation focuses mostly on our son, her designs, my hotels and future endeavors, and anything that comes to mind, really. This trip was worth the time away from my business.
However, this vacation didn’t come without its own issues. As much as the trip has revamped my relationship with my wife, shit has been going insane back home. Another hotel had a small electrical fire. Again, the fast action of the hotel employees kept the fire contained and kept the damage minimal.
A pipe bomb was left near the gate to our home. Whoever did it knew the rotation of the guards and left it during the shift change. The car they drove was a dead end, and the cameras couldn’t pick up anything but a black skull mask. The bastard even turned to smile at the camera, knowing we couldn’t see shit.
If that wasn’t enough, another crate of those missing guns was confiscated by the police. This time during a random traffic stop. I’ve been dealing with shit the entire time we’ve been here.
For the most part, I’ve been able to manage everything from the island. But yesterday I had to come to the mainland for a face-to-face meeting with my PR team. Basille Hotels and Resorts are starting to get a bad rep. We are known for luxury and safety. None of the shit that has happened lately screams safe.
Staring out of the window, my gaze once again focuses on my wife. From the moment she walked down the stairs in that orange bathing suit, I haven’t been able to focus on anything else. Her body is a fucking work of art. The way the waning sun shines down on her dark brown skin makes it look as if there is gold woven underneath the deep color.
She’s sitting on the edge of the pool, her back to me, her head tossed back and her legs dangling in the water. Her long, thin braids are up in a topknot on top of her head. A combination of water from the pool and sweat from the heat drips down her back. I watch the trail, envious of the way it touches her body. I’m fucking obsessed with my wife.
