Page 69 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

“Why do you even like me?” I ask.

I need reassurance. Even after this amazing day, it’s still unfathomable someone like him would like or want me. I have no illusions about the imperfections in my personality, the emotional baggage I carry, how the world sees my curvy body, or even our small age difference.

“How could I not?” He meets my gaze. “You’re a million magnificent things. You’re strong, beautiful, and fun. You’re a scary-brilliant businesswoman, and your body is motherfucking fine.”

I laugh.

“And I want to know you better. You’re trying to be the bad guy at this wedding, but you’re not. You could never be. I’ve been waiting for you to realize it.”

“Wait a second, are you secretly a good guy?” I ask.

“Absolutely not . . . but I wouldn’t mind being the right guy.”

The right guy. My heartbeat trips.

When our lips touch, Nathan tastes like saltwater and coconuts. His kiss is tortuously languid, like he wants to take all the time in the world.

His splayed hands glide down my back and beneath the water. They dip into my bikini bottoms, where he grips my ass. I hook both legs around his waist as we bob with the waves. There isn’t much between us, so his erection is hard against my center. At this moment, I want nothing more than to feel him inside me.

He breaks away, his breathing heavy, and his nose slips over mine. His eyes are glittery and full of life.

I feel the same when I’m with him, like anything is possible, and my heart is brimming. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

I swallow and catch my breath. This is what a kiss should feel like, hot and sensual and all-consuming. He kisses me again. The intensity is the same every time we touch.

Nathan’s thumb traces my bottom lip. “I’ve wanted you for so long.”

“So, take me,” I say in a husky tone.

30/

nathan

Forbidden Employee-Client Relations

On the boat ride to the marina, I grip Jeanie’s thigh. If we were alone, I’d drag her onto my lap until she’s straddling me with those silky-smooth legs and let her ride me to the rhythm of the crashing waves.

I focus on one spot on her skin, a constellation of freckles. I trace them like they will guide me through this ache to consume her.

I think I can be on my best behavior and make it back to the hotel, until her large doe eyes meet with mine. They mirror my own longing. In my mind, she’s telegraphing a message. She wants me too.

Jeanie drags her teeth over her plump bottom lip, and I come undone. My knee bounces to burn the feral energy.

She must notice, because in an act that can only be described as torture, she places her lips on my shoulder, kissing a line across the skin. Goddamn goose bumps spread like I’ve never been touched by a woman before.

Correction, I’ve never been touched by someone like her.

To stop myself from taking her right now, I glance at the stars, but the twinkles blur when she slides a hand between my legs, too close to my dick. With only a few touches, she’s turned me inside out with uncontainable need. I can’t even see straight, I’m so hot for her.

Desperate to get back to our hotel room, I clasp her hand and pull her to her feet even before the boat docks. Around us, tired guests gather their belongings while I hustle Jeanie toward the exit. When the boat is tied up, I make sure we’re the first to jump onto the dock.

I grip her hand as we run toward land, leaving everyone behind. Someone hollers for us, but we ignore them. Wood planks clank beneath our slapping flip-flops. She grips her tote under her arm, trying not to lose anything. Still, something flies away in the breeze.

“My hat.” She checks over her shoulder.

“Leave it!”

She giggles. “Why are we running?”