by Lexi Hart
I find my phone and leave her looking in the gallery and hop down off the boat so I can call Jake and try to explain in private.
It’s still early, but Marines are early risers so I know he’ll pick up. I’m still thinking about how to word it when he answers.
“What’s the problem?”
My face twists into a frown. Typical. He thinks there’s something wrong. “You gave me the wrong code for the front door.”
He grunts. “Hang on.”
I hear him grumbling then he comes back on the line and gives me the correct code. “How’s everything with the writer? Driving you nuts?”
I swallow. “You could say that.”
She is. But not in the way he’s thinking. He snorts a laugh. “Yeah. Figured. You get the pool cleaned?”
I give him a brief rundown of everything I’ve managed to get done despite Blaire’s presence.
When I mention the seepage and the risk of liquefaction he’s audibly pissed off. “Yeah. I know. I’m taking care of it.”
A faint warning grows in the pit of my stomach. “How?”
He’s silent for too long for him to really be thinking about telling me the truth.
His voice lowers. “You didn’t touch the boat did you?”
A prickling sensation starts to grow along the back of my neck. He’s never been this anal about his precious toy before. “What’s going on?”
His reply is terse and leaves no room for open discussion. “Just stick to the list Mary gave you.”
He ends the call before I can mention he has a vermin problem on the third floor.
Something tells me more bad news about his investment is the last thing he wants.
If he’s going to go ahead with refurbishing that floor too like he planned, he’ll find out soon enough.
I turn my attention to the boat and wonder why it’s suddenly become off-limits. Unease grows the more I look at the new paint job he’s had done.
As far as I know, it was a facelift that was totally unnecessary. Not to mention expensive. For a man running at a deficit, he’s throwing money away on pointless vanities.
Something doesn’t smell right. And I learned the hard way to trust my gut. But this isn’t my business.
I’m just a hired grunt with a beautiful woman waiting for me, so I push my phone inside my pocket.
There are bigger beds inside the castle. If Jake wants me to stay away from his damn boat, I’m happy to finish what Blaire and I started in the pool in the castle instead.
I climb aboard the boat again and find Blaire waiting in the chair for me. “I couldn’t find anything apart from snacks. Did you get the code? I think I saw bacon and eggs in the fridge.”
A smile tugs at my lips as she gets off the chair, looking sexy with her wet hair tousled. “Food can wait.”
She accepts my outstretched hand and my cock starts to tingle as she licks her lip.
I’m conscious of everything as we climb down from the boat and make our way back to the front door.
The sun is shining a little brighter. Grass greener, air fresh and clean as I fill my lungs.
We reach the door and I punch in the code, and the door unlocks with a click. With a smile at her, I open it and usher her inside.
I walk her backward, kissing her, feeling my cock getting harder as she presses against me.
I tug her towards the staircase, and she meets my pace as I take the stairs to her room.
My hands are tugging at her robe, my breathing rapid as I slide my hands over the silk covering her breasts.
Her nipples respond to my touch and she whimpers as I slide a hand between her legs.
My fingers meet moisture, letting me know she’s as horny as I am. I could take her right here, but I want to take my time.
I slowly remove her nightgown and take in the curves I didn’t get to fully appreciate last night.
With a primal growl, I tug her towards her unmade bed. Her cheeks are flushed as I push her back so she’s half on the bed.
I drop to my knees and spread her legs so I can taste her and make her call my name the way she did last night.
She moans, making little guttural noises as I use my tongue to make her come. I feel her shudder a second before her hands are gripping my head as she comes in my mouth.
I swipe my mouth and climb on top of her still wearing my cutoffs. Her legs wrap around me and her mouth opens as she kisses me hungrily.
I flip her over so she’s on top of me, and she slides down, kissing my chest, licking my nipples, making my skin rise and jizz to coat my hard cock.
She pulls my cut-offs down, and her mouth wraps around my cock, and she slides it in and out of her mouth, using her tongue to lick the tip.
I moan, pleasure surging through me as she cups my balls and gently tugs the hairs until I’m out of my head.
I push her back, and grab her hips and help her sit on my cock. She’s so wet she slides over easy, her face contorting in pleasure.
I lay back, watching her as she rides me, her incredible body rocking back and forth hypnotizing me.
She leans over me, her nipples brushing against my chest as she opens her mouth to invite my tongue into hers.
I wrap my arms around her and stay inside her as I flip her again so she’s on her back.
I kiss her and thrust until she’s gripping my shoulders, running her fingers down my scars and breathing hard in my ear.
Her moans get louder, her fingernails digging into my ass cheeks as she lifts her hips and clings to me as she starts to come.
She pants in my ear alternating between moaning and whimpering in pleasure until she arches her back and all her muscles tense as she explodes beneath me.
I pump her harder and am rewarded by another rapid-fire orgasm that brings me almost as much pleasure as being inside her.
I’m close but if I’m going to do this with her, I’m going to use everything in my arsenal, so I lean back and keep pumping her as I use my thumb to rub her until she’s coming again.
Her eyes are wild when she growls at me and grabs my shoulders so I’m forced to put all my weight on her.
Since we have all day, I pump harder and faster until she’s screaming again and I’m incapable of thinking about anything apart from how good this feels.
I come harder than I ever have, every feeling intensified by the pleasure I’m seeing reflected on her face.
When I’m sure she’s as satisfied as I am, I slide off her, breathing hard and heart thumping against my ribs.
She looks across at me, her breathing as fast as mine. “Wow. Just wow.”
I smile and roll on my side. “I aim to please.”
Her laugh is low and throaty. “You certainly did that. Multiple times.”
I shift closer and run my hand over her breast. “If you want a repeat performance, I’ll need some food, probably a lot of coffee.”
Her breathing starts to increase as I rub her closest nipple. “Hmmm. Too bad we can’t get room service.”
I chuckle and rise up on my elbow so I can kiss her. Her hand slides to the back of my neck as she pulls me closer, using her tongue to tempt me into ignoring my stomach for a little longer.
I kiss her until her stomach grumbles noisily and she sighs dreamily. “Okay. Maybe I could eat something.”
SUNDAY 7.57AM
Blaire
I pull myself away from him and go in search of the only dress I brought with me.
He smiles lazily as he shrugs his cut-offs back on. “I’ll be back in a second. Just getting some clothes and setting a few traps.”
My eyebrows rise. “Traps? For what?”
He buttons the top of his pants and nods. “Rats. Mice. Pretty much anything that’s upstairs with me.”
I scrunch up my face. “Why do you have to sleep on that floor? There are plenty of other rooms in the castle.”
His face darkens for a split second before I realize my mistake. The owners live on the ground floor. If he’s
here every weekend, it’s unlikely he’d want them to know about his night terrors.
“Sorry. I didn’t think,” I say.
He doesn’t seem too bothered by my blunder; just gives me a tight smile. “See you in a minute.”
A twinge of guilt stirs as I see him head up the stairs. I didn’t see much the night I heard him yelling in his sleep, but it was one of the areas Mary said was off-limits due to construction.
I can only imagine how rough it is. I glance at the bed and frown. He deserves a nicer place to sleep than the squalor Mary described.
I need a shower, and my room is equipped with an en suite, so I run the water and let steam fill the room as I clean my teeth.
Since we’re alone, I leave my door open while I’m dressing. I hear a noise at the door and find him leaning in the doorway, dressed in jeans and boots and a t-shirt that accents his chest and arms.
His eyes roam over my body and his lip curls. “Beautiful,” he murmurs.
I blush, ridiculously pleased by the compliment. “Thank you.”
He gestures to his clothes. “I feel underdressed.”
I laugh. “I guess you weren’t planning on having company.”
He pushes off the doorframe and pulls me into his arms. “I planned for pretty much everything but you being here.”
He cups my chin, making my heart speed before he kisses me tenderly. “Not that I’m complaining.”
I smile and follow him out the door, not bothering to lock it, and walk down the stairs in companionable silence.
The lights are set to low so he flicks a switch at the bottom of the stairs and the hallway illuminates.
We cross the floor into the kitchen and he immediately opens the fridge and starts pulling things out.
Since he’s obviously taking charge of cooking breakfast, I get the coffee out and start getting it going.
I put the filter in, and fill the water and put in a few scoops of coffee. I’m about to ask him if he likes it strong when he slides his hands around my waist and pushes my hair to one side so he can kiss my neck.
Shivers run down my body as his lips brush against my skin. His hands slide all over my body as he presses his body against mine.
I moan as his hands caress my breasts through my dress. I lean against his chest, knees starting to feel weak as his hands wander over me, and his lips brush against my ear. His voice is husky. “I’m not so sure that dress was a good idea.”
A smile spreads as he takes his hands off me and spins me around to kiss me roughly.
His hands slide to my ass and he squeezes before he breaks the kiss and glances over his shoulder. “Think I burnt the bacon.”
I couldn’t care less about the bacon. “Eggs will do.”
He smiles and turns on his heel so he can crack a few eggs into a pan. Feeling entirely flustered, I get plates and cutlery out for us.
I take a seat at the table and watch him as he moves around the kitchen as if he’s entirely at home.
He stacks the plates, carrying them waiter-style and brings the coffee pot over.
I gesture to the plates. “You’ve waited tables?”
He pours me coffee and adds sugar to his before answering. “Before I joined the Marines.”
I take a bite of buttered toast and scoop up some of the eggs on my fork. “How long have you been a Marine?”
He finishes his mouthful and takes a swig of coffee before he replies. “Five years total. Four active. I’m in the first year of my four years as a reserve.”
I carry on eating wondering how much information he’d be willing to part with. “So you could be called back?”
He looks up at me, his shoulders stiffening a little, warning me I’m sailing into territory he’s not comfortable with.
I shift on my seat. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
His jaw works. “No offense taken.”
He downs his coffee and leans back in his chair. His eyes stray to my cleavage and a faint smile flickers at his lips. “You planning on writing today?”
I shrug. “I’d like to get something down. I have a deadline.”
He pushes back from the table. “I can get the fire going in the billiards room.”
I stare up at him and he extends his hand. I get to my feet and he takes my fingers in his. “And what will you be doing while I write?”
His eyes drop from my face to my breasts before he answers with a wry smile. “I’m a little behind on the things I was supposed to take care of.”
My smile grows. “You were too busy taking care of me.”
He grabs me around the waist and kisses me with such intent; my knees give out. “Damn straight,” he whispers.
I let him tug me out of the kitchen and into the billiards room I didn’t bother to give more than a cursory inspection.
Other than a large pool table in the center of the room, there’s a sofa, a massive fireplace, and beside the dartboard on the mahogany wall, a bar.
Luther crouches down to light the fire and I decide to set up my laptop and check my emails.
With a glance at him, I take a seat on the sofa and switch my laptop on. I scroll through the messages and disregard most of them.
Since Luther is busy, I open my WIP and read it over, adding in words and filling in missing gaps.
I’ve started to get invested in the scene when Luther’s shadow falls over me. I blink, look up at him and find him shaking his head. “You need anything?”
A slight twinge of anxiety grows as I consider staying in here. “Will you be around?”
A smile flickers at his lips. “I’ll be close.”
He turns on his heel and strolls out of the room, leaving me with nothing but the sound of the flames licking the wood.
Since I’m well behind thanks to locking myself out, I start typing, letting my imagination run wild as I try to sprint as many words as I can.
Reassured by the occasional banging sound or Luther’s footsteps in the hallway, I carry on writing, only moving to feed the fire and to stretch out my legs.
By the time I’ve reached three thousand words, my neck is aching and my stomach has started to growl.
I roll my shoulders back and listen for sounds Luther is still around, and smile as I hear the stomping sound of his heavy boots.
He appears, dust covering his clothing and dirt smeared on his cheeks. Before I can suggest we both take a break for lunch, his brow knits. “We have a problem.”
I frown back at him, unsure if he's serious. “What kind of a problem?”
He crosses the room and places another piece of wood on the fire, adding to my trepidation.
With a long sigh, he takes a seat on the chair opposite me. “I just got off the phone with Jake.”
My heart jumps around at the look on his face. “And?”
His lips tug downward. “And he failed to tell me he’s installed a camera at the front of the castle. There’s a clear view of the boathouse.”
I’m not sure what I expected him to say, but that wasn’t it. “Is it recording?”
He nods slowly and I suck in a breath of air. If I wanted to keep this liaison to myself, it’s looking less and less likely.
My thoughts start to get scrambled as I consider how much the camera would have caught.
Me running to Luther in the middle of the night. Me staying for hours. A groan escapes and my stomach churns. “Is there any way to fix it?”
His frown deepens into a near scowl. “I’m not sure tampering with it is the best idea. And that’s not what I’m worried about.”
My eyebrows rise along with my ire. He’s not worried because it wasn’t him rushing around half-dressed making a fool of himself.
I can only imagine what I looked like. Pathetic, desperate and completely insane. My already tattered reputation will take a further hammering if this gets out.
Luther is staring at me, but it’s almost like he’s not seeing me, just waiting for me to acknowledge there’s something
else going on.
“What are you worried about then?”
“He’s got a bunch of new security measures in place over the last month. First the security system. Then the boathouse is off-limits, and now this.”
My own embarrassment momentarily forgotten, I shrug. “Did he say why he installed the camera?”
He shakes his head. “He only told me because I found it when I was cleaning the gutter.”
I lean back on the sofa. “Maybe they’ve had trespassers?”
He frowns. “Then why not tell me when I got here?”
I’m caught between wanting to find out myself and wanting to see the video. “How well do you know him?”
He scratches his nose. “Not that well. He’s a Vet. But he’s ten years older than I am.”
I find myself nodding, my curiosity getting the better of me. “How did you get the job here?”
He looks down at his dirty hands. “I ran into him a few months back. Said he was looking for someone to do maintenance off the books.”
His eyes meet mine. “I needed the work and I like peace and quiet, so I agreed to stay here when he needed work done.”
I shift my laptop off my knees onto the sofa cushion beside me. “It doesn’t seem unreasonable he’d install a camera at the front door.”
He blows out a breath. “I guess not. It does feed back to the office. So, he and Mary would be able to see visitors arrive.”
He shakes his head. “It’s the way the camera is positioned and hidden. Normally a security camera acts as a deterrent. But this one is angled towards the boathouse.”
I’m still not sure why he’s so fixated on this. Surely he should be more concerned about what the camera captured over the weekend.
He seems to be talking more to himself than me when he mumbles. “Maybe he was worried about someone stealing his boat.”
I lean closer to him. “Aren’t you worried about Jake and Mary seeing us on camera? Because I am.”
A faint smile twitches at his lips before he seems to realize I’m genuinely concerned. “You want to go take a look?”
I’m not sure I do, but I’m also not sure I want to face Mary without having an explanation at the ready.
“I do.”
He rises from the chair, a serious look on his dirty face. “Let’s go see the damage then.”
