But I don’t name the feelings blossoming inside me. There’ll be time for that once we’re back in Newport, dating.
Addie chuckles lightly, stepping closer to me, her knee touching my thigh. She’s so close I can smell the sweet almond oil that fucker must’ve massaged her with. She’s right. She smells edible, and I’m suddenly starving.
It takes all the willpower I have not to cuff her wrist, pull her down to my lap and run my hands all over her, so the last touch every inch of her skin felt would be mine.
“Yes, a male masseuse,” she admits, her eyes dancing with amusement as her fingers slowly ghost up my arm, sending shivers down my spine. “Veryskilled hands.”
I swallow hard, my face heating up in proportion to the uncoiled anger running rampant inside me. God, if she really were mine, she’d get punished for riling me up this bad. Orgasm denial, clit torture, I’d make her beg for mercy.
“Oh really?” is the cleverest response I can bark out.
She leans in, her breath warm against my ear. “Oh really. Very skilled andveryprofessional.” She pulls away, a triumphant smile twisting her lips. “Why? Feeling a little... jealous?”
That twinkle in her eye, her proximity, and the light brush of her fingertips further stoke that possessive feeling consuming me. Damn this girl. She’s driving me crazy.
Trying to regain my composure and save face, I opt for a casual shrug. “No, just... curious.”
Conor and Cody remind me of their presence, letting out amused scoffs I interpret as something likeyeah, right.
I can’t blame them. I’m full of shit.
Jealousy doesn’t begin to cover it. I’ve never felt this territorial. It coils itself around me so hard all I can think about is pinning Addie to the mattress and showing her who she belongs to.
“Hey, boys,” Addie chirps, casting a playful glance at my brothers. “How are things?”
“Good,” Cody says, biting back a smile. “Do us a favor and make sure Colt gets five minutes every evening to send us an update, alright? Also, if you could delete all the emojis from his phone, that’d be great. Especially thethumbs upone.”
“I’ll remind him to text you, but I don’t think you can delete emojis.”
“Goddamnit,” he huffs, moving his attention back to me. “I won’t be held accountable for what I’ll do when you come back if you send me one more emoji. Got it?”
I show him a thumbs up and Conor chokes on his coffee. Having brothers is fun.
“Right, I’ll leave you boys to it. I should wash this oil off and get ready for the bonfire.” She bends slightly, pressing her full lips to my cheek.
My hand instinctively shoots out, gripping the back of her knee. “Any dessert left?” I slide my fingers along that soft spot.
“Plenty left. You know where it is.”
I sure do. And I’ll devour my share as soon as I shake my brothers off the call. Addie steps back, then spins on her heel, aiming for the bathroom. I’m left watching her every move. The sway of her hips, the bounce in her step, the swing of her hair... she’s intoxicating.
“Sooo...” Conor drawls, breaking my trance. “What’s for dessert, bro?”
I roll my eyes, the smile spreading over my lips hard to hide. “Fuck you.”
TWENTY-THREE
Colt
TRUST BILLIONAIRESto make a simple bonfire on the beach look like a Royal Gala.
Instead of fallen branches surrounding the fire and marshmallows on sticks, there’s a triangular canopy stretched out over the sand. Fairy lights twinkle around the perimeter, illuminating the low tables and luxury loungers below. The bonfire burns in a perfect circle, a safe distance from the wooden, fully equipped pop-up bar and tall stools.
Almost everyone is here already, some chatting by the sea where lazy waves foam at the shore, some relaxing on the loungers, some standing by the bar, drinks in hands, not one paying attention to the bonfire.
Seems it’s only here for decoration.
“Is this how your family always do bonfires?” I ask, glancing down at Addie who’s walking side by side with me across the beach, her bare feet sinking into the sand.
