The Devil's CrownPart Two - Monica James Page 0,91

me.”

Ella’s mouth parts, stunned by my admission.

“I have Saint and Willow to thank for this plan.” And I do, as this is what they did to escape me when I held them captive on my yacht.

I can’t hide my shame when I think about what an insufferable bastard I was for thinking I could snap my fingers and make Willow love me.

Ella lifts my chin with her finger, coaxing me to look into her eyes. “And we can thank them when you call home.”

Home.

She’s never referred to Russia or me as her home before. Is she trying to make me feel better because she can read my guilt? Probably. But nonetheless, I don’t overthink it and bask in how wonderful it sounds hearing her call my house her home.

“How do we…entice them?” she asks, running her finger along the stubble on my jaw.

She is driving me crazy. I want her so badly that I can scarcely think about anything but her smell and her taste. I want it all, and I want it now.

“Easy,” I reply, my voice low.

She takes a step back and watches as I unfasten the buttons on my shirt, and when I see arousal, instead of disgust, my need for her grows. I take off my shirt and drop it by my feet. Her eyes focus on my tattoo.

“I like your tattoo. What does it mean?”

I want to lie; afraid my admission will creep her out. I want to pretend it has nothing to do with her, but I can’t. “Even though I’ve forsaken my God long ago, it honors Mother Superior and…you. The symbolism gives me the strength to face the inevitable because meeting you…it was nothing short of a miracle.”

She doesn’t say a word. She simply stares at me, impassive.

“I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel uncomfortable.”

But she shakes her head firmly. “You haven’t. Not at all.”

The air is suddenly thick, which threatens to strangle me where I stand. I haven’t felt this since we first met, when things, believe it or not, were a lot less complicated then they are now.

She’s been so guarded, so hard to read, but now, I see it—she wants me. I don’t know what’s changed, but I will grovel at her feet for a second chance. But now, I have some seducing to do.

“Take the wheel,” I instruct Ella who yelps, but quickly jumps to command.

Once she’s steady, I lazily stroll out into the sunshine, stretching overhead. I know Maria is tanning, so I stroll over to the side of the yacht where she lay on a lounge chair. Gripping the railing, I tip my face to the skies and inhale deeply.

This game of seduction shouldn’t be this easy, but it is.

“Do you need someone to rub lotion on your back?” Maria calls out from across the water.

With a smirk, I lower my sunglasses and reply, “Why? Are you offering?”

She sits up, falling for my ploy. Her submission is such a bore. “I’m offering.”

“How about you and Rodrigo come over for a drink? Ella and I want to thank you for helping us.”

She stands, nonchalant she’s once again topless. “That sounds like fun. Let me go change.”

Running my tongue along my upper lip, I openly stare at her breasts and grin. “Why? I like what you’re wearing just fine.”

She chuckles before turning and ensuring to shake her ass as she walks toward Rodrigo. She’s back a moment later. “Rodrigo said we can moor up ahead. There is a beautiful cave a few miles away. We can go swimming.”

“Or we can get wet another way,” I counter, cringing at how sleazy I sound. But it works.

“Yes, I suppose we can. See you soon.” She waves with her fingers, trying to be sexy and mysterious. Trying being the operative word in that sentence.

Once I have her where I want her, I turn around and make my way over to Ella. What I see has me grinning. Her stiff upper lip and flared nostrils all point at the green-eyed monster rearing her pretty head, and I cannot deny how happy that makes me. Her jealousy shows me that she cares.

“They’ll be over soon,” I reveal, pretending not to notice the way she clenches the wheel.

“Do you think she owns a top?”

I bite my lip, attempting to conceal my smirk. “I’ll get everything organized. I won’t be long.”

Ella nods, still unimpressed that Maria prefers to be naked as the day she was born. I leave her and her pouting bottom lip and