hard.
Warm kisses poured over her shoulders. He cupped her breasts through her shirt and slowly reached
lower to undo the buttons of her jean skirt. “Your legs look amazing in this skirt. I’m going to start at your feet and kiss all the way to your sweet, pink pussy.”
Before her skirt fell to the ground, he clasped his palm over the denim and gripped the V of her sex.
Her heart raced. She leaned her backside into his arousal and he growled in her ear. It didn’t take long for her to be thoroughly distracted.
***
Evelyn rolled to her back and sucked in a deep breath. Her body tingled from coming so many
times. Lucian, who had indeed kissed every square inch of her legs and then some, toyed with her bare
breasts. It was the first time they’d slept together since the accident, and they both seemed to have
some pent-up energy to get out. The edge, at least, was off.
He reached to the floor and found his pocket watch. She laughed. “Are you timing yourself?”
He pinched her nipple. “No, smartass. I want to show you something.”
“Please don’t let it be another collapsible wall.”
He rolled to his side. When he grunted, likely from putting too much pressure on his ribs, she
quickly sat up.
“I’m fine.” He eased off the bed and she had the urge to check his injuries, but he stayed her with an
arrogant look that claimed he was invincible. “Here, put this on.”
He handed her a robe and she drew back, her face scrunching up in revulsion. “Why do you have
two robes?”
He frowned and glanced at the robe, then back at her. Making a sound in the back of his throat, he
said, “Because I ordered this one for you. Don’t be ridiculous, Evelyn. I have people who handle my
planning to the last detail. This trip’s for you, for us. Nothing I give you will ever be secondhand.”
She relaxed, chastising herself for letting jealousy get the best of her for a moment. Her arms
slipped into the wide kimono silk sleeves, and she tied the band under her breasts, then helped Lucian
tie his since the cast kept getting in his way. He was impatient with his injuries. It was going to be a long few weeks.
He led her to the cabin and pointed to a small window. “Look.”
She hesitated, trying very hard to forget she was in a glorified tin can careening through the clouds.
He gave her a stern look, telling her to just do it, and she eased toward the little window.
Between wisps of cotton candy clouds she saw a floor of cerulean blue and gasped. “Is that—”
“The ocean.”
“It’s so . . . blue.”
“The closer to the Caribbean, the more blue it gets. Next time you see it, your toes will be in it.”
Her face split with a genuine smile. She turned and kissed him, hugging him hard enough to make
him grunt. “Sorry. I keep forgetting about your ribs.”
***
The landing was a little rough, but Lucian argued it was smooth. Bottom line, she was a terrible air
traveler and hoped they wouldn’t be flying too much on their trip.
A limo awaited them, and she suffered a bit of homesickness for Dugan. The chauffeur, a tall man
with skin the color of molasses, took their carry-on bags and introduced himself as Clarence.
The air was thick with humidity. Evelyn’s hair curled against her neck in tight little sweaty coils.
Luckily, the limo was cooled and there were bottles of water chilled and waiting for them inside.
“Where are we going?” she asked once they were in the limo.
“You’ll see. Here, I want you to put this on.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the black
sash from her robe. Fun things always followed whenever Lucian blindfolded her, so she scooted close
as he tied the sash over her hair.
“Can you see?”
“Nope.”
“Good.”
The drive took only a few minutes. They were soon exiting the vehicle, and she was again breathing
the liquid air of Florida. Lucian carefully guided her steps. Their path changed from pavement to
planks.
“I’m going to let go of you for a second. Stay still.”
She heard the tinkling of bells and people talking in the distance. Then there was a strange licking
sound. They were by water. She breathed deep, tasting the salt air on her lips. “When can I open my
eyes?”
“Not yet. Take my hand and step carefully.”
She had the sense of falling for a split second, but then her feet found purchase. Lucian led her up a
somewhat steep and shaky slope, and her body teetered.
Another man greeted them, and Lucian made introductions. She couldn’t see whomever they were
talking to, but she imagined him with tanned, sun-kissed skin. Moisture gathered in a slick tear that
pooled between her breasts, and the sun heated her shoulders. She could sense each bit of cool shade
they walked through.
The man eventually excused himself, and Lucian’s arms wrapped around her. “I can smell it,” she