The Billionaire's Betrayal (Highest Bidder #3) - Carmen Falcone Page 0,54

shoulder, all easy-going energy. “You’re all talk, Mr. Taylor,” she said, then flashed him a smile that contracted his gut for a moment, then released it, quickly, along with a throb traveling through his body. “If you’re so sure, why don’t you show it to me? Maybe a mean fish will come my way and bite me—”

He didn’t let her finish. Without worrying about removing his clothes, he dunked into the water and, a second later, the fierce coolness surrounded him, tightening his shoulders. He came to the surface, glancing at her.

She covered her mouth with her hand, a shade of pink staining her cheeks. “I can’t believe you did that. I was thinking at most you’d sweep me off my feet and take me back to where our things are.”

“Well, your feet are in the water, and if you get any aquatic threat from this lake, I’ll be here to fight it,” he said. Yeah he’d fight it all right, if his bones didn’t freeze first. His shirt and jeans clung to his body, making his moves heavier, but he didn’t wince.

“Aren’t you cold?” she asked.

“Nah. You get used to it,” he lied.

A glint of mischief flashed in her eyes, and swiftly, she dipped in the water, too. He stretched out to reach for her, but she returned to the surface quickly, gasping. “You’re a liar.”

“Why did you join me?”

She circled her arms around his neck. “Because if you’ll be uncomfortable because of me, I’ll be uncomfortable because of you. It’s only fair.” Wet hair framed her face, droplets still streaming down her cheeks. He’d thought she’d looked gorgeous without makeup but this—this was even better. This was real. “Also, I figured because this water is so damn cold, I’d be safe in your arms.”

He snickered. “Not if you’re going to be holding me like this.”

She kissed his cheek. “This is a trap, isn’t it? I thought you’d keep me safe from harm, when I should have been worried about keeping safe from you all along,” she said in a joking tone, splashing water at him, and he pulled her closer. The nearness of her surpassed any discomfort from the low temperature in the lake and sent ripples of joy through him. But how long will this happiness last?

Chapter Fourteen

Alexa drank the coffee, wishing it were intravenously injected. She’d been spending too much time with Brooks. Two days prior, they’d visited Willow Beach, and decided to stay for the night in one of the motels. Since Kace was still out of town, there wasn’t much to be done on that end. Now, back at her place, she needed to catch up with business and the auction that Jackie had successfully run.

“What are you doing?” Brooks asked, opening the robe she’d closed not long ago.

Seductively, he laid her on the bed, covering her with his naked body. “I thought we said we’d eat breakfast in bed.” He ran his tongue down her neck, and a path of shivers sizzled through her. “Did you lie to me?”

“I was hoping you meant dressed.” She splayed her hands on his chest, pushing him so she stayed on top. “I have stuff to do. Poor Jackie can’t handle everything.” Good news was that the upcoming auction of Scott’s virginity had gotten tons of buzz. Local newspapers had asked for interviews, and the confirmed list of attendees kept growing.

He slid his hand in between her thighs, rolling it over her clit. “I think she can handle a lot. I, on the other hand, can’t say the same. I’m about to burst if I don’t get our morning fuck out of the way.”

His cell phone rang on the nightstand. He slid off of her, grabbed it still with a mischievous smile on his face, then answered it. “Brooks here.”

The semblance of his face shifted, and he squared his shoulders, more serious. “Yes. I did. No, today would be great. Heading over.”

He tossed the phone back on the nightstand, then ran his fingers through his hair.

Her heart skipped a beat. Had something happened to his mother? He’d mentioned that her health was fragile, and her caretaker back in Texas always gave him updates. “What is it?” She pulled up the sheet and wrapped it around her, sliding out of the bed. “Tell me.”

“Kace is back and ready to see me. His assistant told him I’ve been calling.”

The adrenaline from the coffee kicked in, a sense of urgency washing over her. “We’re going now,” she said, striding into