Entranced (The ROGUES Billionaire #1) - Tracie Delaney Page 0,63

that enormous tree providing shade over the front patio.”

I giggled. “That’s a lot of fucking. I’m wondering why you bothered buying me any clothes.”

He curved a hand around the back of my neck, drawing my mouth to his. “I’m beginning to wonder the same thing.”

20

Ryker

The early morning sun cast a shard of light across the bedroom through a minuscule gap in the blinds. I rose onto my elbow and watched Athena sleep. It wasn’t quite seven in the morning and, after the long plane ride, I’d kept her up far later than I should have, but it appeared that the more I fucked her, the less I found I could leave her alone.

I craved the feel of her body against mine

Coveted the sounds she made when she came.

Ached for just one more orgasm, despite knowing it wouldn’t sate my hunger.

Seven years of denial had morphed into a yearning so strong, I worried I’d scare her away. She might profess to have wanted me for years, but the intensity with which I loved her—both in and out of the bedroom—could present itself as unreasonable, a worrying level of possessiveness, even. And that would be a problem because Athena was a free spirit. She wouldn’t be owned.

Conscious that the strength and heat of my gaze had the capacity to wake her, I crept out of bed and padded into the kitchen. I put on a pot of coffee, and while I waited for it to percolate, I wandered outside. The pool looked far too inviting to ignore and, given how Athena had worshipped my body last night, I’d better take every opportunity to keep the six-pack in shape.

After swimming forty laps, I climbed out, dried off, and returned to the kitchen. Pouring a coffee, I added a dash of cream and retraced my steps back to the pool. I checked my emails, replied to one or two, and scanned the rest to make sure nothing urgent had come up. The only one that caught my eye was from Elliot updating the board on the Addison’s deal. All on track, thankfully. The Addison’s portfolio would fit nicely with our existing businesses, adding even more value to ROGUES’ bottom line.

The sliding glass door leading into the villa opened. I glanced over my shoulder and shot a smile at Athena, gesturing for her to join me.

“How long have you been awake?” She yawned, flopping into the seat beside me. “And why are you naked? If your cock gets sunburnt, I won’t be happy.”

I laughed. “I’ll fetch the sunscreen. You can rub some on it, although, if you do that, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

“Insatiable,” she mumbled, yawning again.

She stretched her arms overhead, and a gap appeared in her robe. I slipped my hand inside, cupping her breast. She arched her back, groaning.

“How’d you sleep?” I rolled her nipple between my thumb and forefinger.

She groaned louder. “I don’t think what happened to me is called sleep. I’d say more like passing out.”

“I shouldn’t have kept you up so late. I’m sorry.” I wasn’t sorry in the least, but it felt like the gentlemanly thing to say.

“No, you’re not,” Athena said, shielding her eyes from the sun.

I laughed again, leaning in for a kiss. “Busted.” Standing, I held out my hand. “Let’s shower, fuck, eat, and then go for a walk. I hear the jungle surrounding this place is amazing.”

An hour later, we slipped out the back of the property and onto a narrow path. The trees were dense, although slivers of sunlight shone through, illuminating our path. As we traveled deeper into the forest, silence hung in the air like a thick fog, and I could taste the moisture on my tongue. Without interference from civilization, the sounds of the jungle were amplified, from birdsong to the twigs breaking beneath our footsteps, and the breeze rustling the leaves.

“Ah, the peace,” Athena whispered, as if speaking too loudly would break the spell.

“I was just thinking the same thing,” I grinned down at her and waggled my eyebrows. “We’re completely alone.”

“You’ve got that look on your face,” Athena said, squinting up at me.

“What look?” I asked innocently.

“The one that makes me feel as though I’m about to be devoured by a starving man.”

I tongued my top teeth, desire building in my gut. “That’s because you’re my favorite thing to eat and, no matter how often I sample you, I’ll never have enough.”

I pulled her in for a kiss, taking my time to savor the trace