He slapped his hands together. “This calls for a celebration. Pour us a drink, Peter.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And get me a woman tonight. Not as weak as the last one. Her whining got on my nerves.”
His investigator paused in pouring the drink, then spoke tentatively. “Umm, sir, there's a problem. The last prostitute was high end, and the news of her, umm, condition, got out. You’re blacklisted from that particular establishment.”
“Are you telling me a two bit whore is crying foul play? She was paid dearly for her time. They make me sick. Find me someone young. You know where to go. And make sure she has no firm ties to any family around here.”
Peter cleared his throat. “That may be a bit difficult.”
“Have her here tomorrow night. I’ll need something to look forward to after another boring dinner with my cousin’s slut. The only thing getting me through it is my anticipation of breaking her in while Jack watches.”
"There's something else, sir." Bryce motioned for him to go on. "I finally got a copy of the contract Mr.Woodward drew up in his will. It does state Jack needs to marry to inherit, but there's one other clause we discovered."
"What clause?"
Peter hesitated. "If you marry first, you trump his inheritance. That's what Lady Victoria has been trying to hide."
The world suddenly righted itself. Victory thrummed through his veins, and all the hate and jealousy coursed freely as he realized he would finally get everything he deserved. On his terms.
Bryce smiled. "You're getting a fat bonus, Peter."
"Thank you, sir."
"Set up the arrangements. And get me a girl. Do whatever you need to do."
"Yes, sir."
Chapter Five
Her soft-soled shoes made no noise as she walked down the dock. The sound of boats gently bobbing in the water echoed on the soft breeze. A perfect summer night for a sail. Julianna wiped her damp palms down the sides of her gauzy cocoa skirt and cursed herself for acting like a sex-starved groupie. Why was she nervous? She’d done things with this man she never thought possible—including letting him lick maple syrup from her body, inch by inch. She had no shame left.
But tonight felt different.
She’d sail on his boat. Spend time in his sacred space. A bond with this man would make it more impossible to be unaffected when he walked away. For the past week, she’d been allowed to explore the secret depths of the woman she was and always dreamed of being. As much as she rationalized it, Jack Wolfe had carved away a part of her soul. She’d never forget him or the time spent transforming the Cliff House from a prison into freedom.
Her relationship with Bryce changed everything.
Things were getting more serious. All the core elements were there for them to move forward. His last conversation hinted at the importance of obtaining a virtuous wife. She assumed he’d done a background check on her and found everything in order. The only item she’d lied about was Jack and her secret sexual affair.
Tonight could be their last night together. She needed to break things off with Jack.
Julianna watched a lone dark figure make his way down the dock to meet her. Clad in white shorts, a button-down khaki cotton shirt, and boat shoes, he struck her as a rich socialite taking a spin on his yacht. He moved like royalty, with no apology and no hesitation. His sheer masculine presence whipped out and caught her in a painful grip, and she realized she’d never met a man who connected with her on such a sensual level. Instead of sating her craving, he only incited more hunger.
“Good evening.” His husky whisper rose to her ears in a caress.
“Good evening," she said.
“Follow me.” He led her down to the pier and stopped in front of an older Schooner. The elegant lines and chipped paint clearly showed an venerable lover who held more emotional attachment than value. A hand-painted sign proudly bestowed the name THE PRINCE. “This is it. Not much, but it’s got me where I wanted to go and never let me down.”
She smiled at his possessive words and motioned to the sign. “Care to elaborate?”
“Absolutely not. Let’s just say it’s an old family joke.”
Julianna perched on the edge of the dock and watched him ready the boat for sail. He moved with seamless grace, his fingers capably pulling and untying lines, his steps sure as he moved over the wet deck. He jumped lightly down and put out his hand. Julianna waited for the verbal invitation required to be spoken in the boating world, the way a vampire needs permission to enter a home.
“Come aboard.”
She gave him her hand and hated the instant sizzle of naked skin against hers, his thumb automatically rubbing into her palm to prolong the sensation. Her feet hit the deck and she withdrew. He allowed her the space and led her through the cabin for a quick tour.
The Schooner was small and well built. Bright white canvas sails adorned the sleek look of the wood. His space seemed functional but nothing more, and Julianna assumed he barely had enough money to survive from town to town. Definitely Peter Pan syndrome. Why else would a grown man refuse to get a job, have a family, and settle down? Still, she oughtn’t to judge. Her life was the complete opposite, and not her choice.
On the open deck, he’d set up a small folding table with a white cloth. Wine chilled in a bucket alongside crab and fresh corn on the cob. Paper napkins and utensils completed the casual dinner.
“I hope you don’t mind eating before our sail. I had back-to- back jobs today, so I didn’t have time to eat.”
“No, it’s perfect. Looks wonderful.”
The moon hung in a graceful crescent and competed with an array of stars. The breeze blew light, with a crisp sting that kept the body alert. She watched him pour wine and serve while she enjoyed the gentle sway of the boat and the endless blackness of ocean spread before her. They nibbled on crab and sipped wine in silence before she asked her question.
“Julianna, would you take off your top?”
Her glass paused in mid-air. “Excuse me?”
His smile was pure amusement and wicked intent. “You heard me.”
“Someone will see.”
“It’s midnight. No one’s out here, and soon we’ll be setting sail. I thought about you all day. Thought about licking sweet sugar from your breasts while you cried out for me to stop. Do you remember how long I pleasured your breasts? How sensitive to each bite and lick you became?”
Oh, God, yes. She remembered it all. Already on command, her body slammed into full alert, awaiting his every instruction.
“I want to eat while I gaze at you half naked. I want to know I can reach out and touch you at any time, and that soon I’ll have you.”
It took a moment for her fingers to stop trembling. Then she set down her glass and pulled off her tiny white t-shirt, exposing a lacy crème bra.
“Now the bra.”
She unhooked the back clasp and revealed herself.
“Good girl,” he murmured. He took a sip of wine and devoured her with his gaze. “You hide your body behind such boring clothes. Your skin tastes like vanilla bean ice cream. Your nipples are rosy and flushed, and you fit perfectly in the palms of my hands. Now I want you to remove your underwear.”
She fought a blush, amazed she had any shred of modesty left after the week they’d shared. “How do you know I’m wearing underwear?”
“Because you like it when I make you take it off.”
She sucked in her breath. Then hiked up her skirt to wiggle out of the plain white panties she’d desperately wanted to upgrade.
“Well done. Now, about the retaining wall.”
Julianna assumed he was joking. Every nerve ending felt raw and exposed, and her pussy throbbed to have him thrust deep inside her. Unfortunately, he wasn’t joking. He launched into a detailed description of the project, the cost, and the time period. She tried desperately to listen, but her body screamed louder than her mind and became the victor. Finally, she agreed to the project and dimly noted it would extend the time he worked around her house by a few more days. Not a good idea, but something she couldn’t control. Hell, she was barely able to hold an intelligent conversation with the breeze caressing her bare breasts and hardening her nipples, aware that she was wet, aching and ready for him.