The Billionaire's Christmas Cruise Read online

  “Okay,” I told Chase, closing my eyes. “It’s safe.”

  “What are you doing?” he asked. His amusement was hard to miss. Apparently, he was checking my position, but I refused to open my eyes and glance over to see what he was doing.

  “Waiting.”

  “Is something…wrong?”

  Yeah, I don’t want you to see my nipples.

  “I’m cold.”

  “It’s eighty degrees.”

  “Just shut up and get under your sheet.”

  Chase laughed. His lips brushed over mine, startling me because I hadn’t realized he was that close, and he squeezed my forearm. When his thumb caressed over my cheek, I opened my eyes and looked up into his warm, dark-chocolate gaze.

  “You’re a refreshing treasure,” he murmured.

  “Ready?” Shane called before I could reply. I bit my lip, watching Chase climb onto the other bed.

  After we replied yes, the two masseuses returned, and what followed was a blur of melty pleasure. The lighting remained low, and they played soothing wood pipe music while their magical hands rubbed every bit of tension from our bodies without getting too intimate.

  I was a pile of boneless mush when they murmured that they were done and to have a wonderful day and make sure to stay hydrated.

  “Oh my God, I don’t want to move,” I moaned once they’d left.

  “We can stay here all day.”

  “Nah…” I started to lever myself up then remembered I was naked from the waist up. I dropped back down and looked over at Chase to find him watching me avidly with a smirk.

  “Close call,” he teased.

  “You’re a perv.”

  “Yep.”

  “Stop looking at me and get dressed. You have a busy day planned for us, and I intend to enjoy it all, so I can sleep like a rock tonight.”

  “I’m sure I can help tire you out if the fun, sun and island pub crawl don’t do it.”

  “Maybe—and this is just a suggestion—you should dial it down a couple notches.”

  “Mmm…no.” He tossed back his sheet and pretty much vaulted from the table. After a quick press of lips to my temple, giving me a shiver of pleasure, he scooped up his shirt and shoes then left the cabana. I waited a few moments then slipped off my own table, got dressed and joined him.

  Chase grabbed my hand, twining our fingers. “Off to get our buzz on and explore!”

  “After you—and I’m not getting drunk.”

  He leaned in and kissed me, and I realized he’d been pretty free with them today. And I’d let him…enjoying them way too much.

  “Of course, you’re not,” he agreed. “That would ruin tonight’s fun.”

  Tonight’s fun? What?

  Chapter Seven

  ~ Chase ~

  “Shall I get you another Mai Tai?” I whispered in Emerson’s ear as we entered the ship’s casino.

  “No, thank you,” Little Miss I’m Not Getting Drunk stated firmly, pretending not to sway on my arm. “I believe I’ve had enough.”

  “I believe the fact we left the cabin is proof to the contrary,” I teased her.

  “Were you trying to get me drunk to take advantage of me?” she accused, keeping her tone light as if to assure me she was kidding.

  “Do I have to?” I asked.

  I watched heat darken her gaze and couldn’t resist dipping low for a kiss. She’d allowed me that pleasure freely all day, and I wasn’t about to give up any chance to repeat it as often as possible. Her lips were like the sweetest elixir, and I hadn’t needed a drop of alcohol to feel punch drunk every time I’d tasted them.

  “I’m not a big gambler,” Emerson said as we walked the floor.

  “That’s okay,” I assured her. “It’s just play money.”

  She shot me a sideways glance I ignored.

  I’d already purchased chips as I’d wandered the ship waiting for Emerson to get settled in the room. Thankfully, I didn’t have to go through the ritual of exchanging wads of cash in front of her. It was one thing to spend money on things that brought her pleasure. It was another to basically flaunt my finances in her face.

  “How about roulette?” I asked, steering her toward the large wheel. “How are you with odds?”

  “Really good actually,” she said. “Your best odds right now would be to put your chips back in your pocket and return to the room.”

  I stared at her, wondering if she realized what she was implying with that innocent statement. She was looking around the casino, so I didn’t believe she did. But it wasn’t fair of her to tease me.

  I leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Em, if you’re telling me that I’d be luckier in our room than I would be here, I will grab you fireman style and make you prove it.”

  Her cheeks flushed as her wide eyes met my gaze. Her hand shook as it reached up to touch my face. She leaned forward and kissed me softly.

  “I don’t mean to be a tease,” she said. “I promise.”

  “I know,” I assured her. “And I would never push you into anything you aren’t ready for. Let’s just have fun tonight.”

  She nodded, allowing me to take her hand and lead her up to the roulette table. My heart pounded, and the desire to drag her back to the room caveman-style still ran through my body. I’d never wanted anyone as much as I wanted Emerson.

  “Can I get you anything?” a waitress asked, walking up beside us.

  “I’ll have a Mai Tai,” Emerson answered immediately.

  I fought a smile as I shook my head, declining a drink. I was still a little buzzed, and I didn’t want to risk my control any further tonight. I’d had plenty to drink during our pub crawl, I didn’t need to add whiskey to the fire burning in my soul—and my groin.

  “The problem with umbrella drinks,” Emerson said thoughtfully as she wrapped her arm around mine, pressing her beautiful body against my side. “Is that they taste like juice, but before you know it, you can’t walk anymore.”

  “I’ll carry you,” I offered before I could stop myself.

  She giggled, and it was all I could do not to groan out loud. I’d have to build the pillow wall between us twice as high tonight.

  “Bets are open,” the wheel operator called, bringing my attention back to the game.

  I pulled a handful of chips from my pocket and handed them to Emerson. She flipped one of them over, staring at the $100 imprinted in gold on the black chip.

  “Did you really just give me the equivalent of one of my paychecks to play this game?” she whispered.

  I glanced at her hand then met her gaze.

  “You’re underpaid,” I answered.

  “How loaded are you?” she blurted. Her eyes immediately widened, and a blush crept up her neck, spreading over her face as she clamped her free hand over her mouth.

  I couldn’t help smiling at her outburst, even knowing how mortified she must be at asking such a crass question. Rather than leave her in a state of panic, I leaned over and whispered a figure in her ear.

  “Bullshit,” she hissed. “That’s like, your company, right? That’s not just you?”

  “No, actually, the company is almost bankrupt,” I said solemnly. “My brothers are idiots. And ugly, too. Yes, completely unattractive and inept.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me, and I finally cracked, laughing softly as I caressed the back of her fingers with my thumb. Even in her shock, she hadn’t pulled away, and I liked that.

  “You have that much money?” she asked, apparently too shocked to be embarrassed again.

  “No,” I said. “We have that much money, Em. What’s mine is yours. Forever.” I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed it softly. “Enough about that right now. Let’s play.”

  It was forward, and it was blunt, but it was honest. I needed her to understand, as quickly as possible, this trip wasn’t a one-week fling for me. She had to know I wanted her by my side for the rest of our lives.

  “I think I want to go back to the room,” Emerson s
aid softly.

  “I’ve made you uncomfortable,” I answered, shaking my head. “I’m sorry.”

  It had been too much, too soon. I could have kicked myself for letting the conversation go where it had. She barely knew me. Of course, she wasn’t ready to talk about forever. I knew she was the one. But she hadn’t had time to realize I was the only man for her.

  “That’s not it,” she said.

  “Then what?” I met her gaze, and the heat I saw there made me shut my mouth so hard, my teeth clacked against each other. “Em?”

  She bit her lip then stepped into me, her hand sliding into my pocket, depositing the chips back where I’d gotten them.

  “Your drink, ma’am,” the waitress said, coming back at the worst possible time.

  Emerson removed her hand from my pants, took the fruity concoction and thanked the woman. I pulled the drink from Em’s grasp, returned it to the tray then dropped a chip there for the hassle.

  “I wanted that,” Emerson complained, watching the confused waitress wander away.

  “You don’t need it,” I told her.

  “Are you implying I’m drunk?” she asked, her hands going to her hips.

  “It’s crossed my mind,” I admitted.

  “Well, maybe, I just want…something,” she answered, her fight deflating as quickly as it had appeared.

  “What do you want?” I asked, needing clarification from her. If she was drunk, and it was just harmless flirting, I could deal with that. I could spoil her, kiss her, show her how much I wanted her without letting anything go too far.

  But if she wanted me, truly wanted me the way I wanted her, I wasn’t sure I could hold back. Half of me prayed she’d beg off, drop the conversation and move on. But the other half… Well, that part was rock-hard and desperate to find release in my future wife.

  “I want you,” she said, meeting my gaze with determination.

  I scooped her into my arms, carrying her quickly through the casino to the deck outside. She wrapped her arms around my neck and laughed but didn’t fight me.

  “You really are just like Rhett Butler,” she said, leaning forward to nuzzle my neck.

  “That scene where he picks up Scarlett and takes her upstairs isn’t actually romantic,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re not drunk?”

  “Chase, just take me to bed.”

  I wasn’t waiting to be told again.

  Chapter Eight

  ~ Chase ~

  I set Emerson down to open the door. As I fumbled with the stupid keycard, she wrapped her arms around me, her face pressed to my back and her fingers running up my chest.

  “Why isn’t this working?” I hissed, repeatedly running the plastic over the reader.

  “Turn it around,” Emerson suggested. Her hands slid lower, palms running down my hips to my thighs, her thumbs just barely missing the most sensitive parts of my anatomy.

  I was half out of my mind with lust for her, which is probably the only reason I bothered turning the card around as if it would do anything. It didn’t.

  Growling in frustration, I grabbed Emerson’s arm, pulling her around me. I pressed her back against the door and pinned her there, attacking her mouth. Her knee went between my legs, and the pressure of her thigh against my cock was almost my undoing.

  This was going way too fast. Suddenly, I was glad the key wasn’t working and had forced me to slow down for a moment. Em deserved better than some half-drunk fucking.

  I stepped back, smiling at the soft whine that escaped her beautiful lips. I’d just pulled out my cell to call Marco for assistance, when something important occurred to me. I looked up and down the hallway, realization dawning on me.

  “Babe,” I said, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles softly. “It’s the wrong room.”

  “Oh my gosh!” She covered her mouth with her free hand, but the giggles couldn’t be contained. “I’m sorry. I swear I’m not laughing at you.”

  “Well, you should be,” I admitted, pulling her down the passageway.

  “No. All of these doors look the same,” she insisted. “And you were a little distracted.”

  “Just a little,” I agreed, stopping at the next door and holding up the card. The lock clicked open immediately.

  We stepped inside, and the atmosphere suddenly tensed. For a moment, I worried my stupid mistake had cooled her passion, and I couldn’t blame her for it. So I wasn’t quite prepared when she threw herself into my arms. My slight buzz combined with the swaying of the ship caused me to lose my balance, and we crashed to the floor together.

  “Oh my God, are you okay?” she asked. She’d landed on top of me, and in her concern, she’d shifted to sit on my hips, her dress hiking up and exposing her creamy thighs, her center directly over my achingly hard cock.

  It would be so easy to take her. To flip us over, undo my pants and just fuck her senseless right there on the floor. To claim her as mine.

  Fortunately, she stood, relieving some of the pressure on my dick that was apparently keeping me from thinking straight. I followed her, climbing to my feet and forcing myself to calm the fuck down.

  “You look like the big bad wolf about to eat me,” she whispered.

  “That,” I said, quirking an eyebrow, “is a fantastic idea.”

  Growling, I picked her up again and carried her into the bedroom. As long as I kept my own clothes on, I’d stop myself from going too far with her. It would be torture for me, but as long as Emerson was happy, I didn’t care. If she’d been completely sober, I would have asked what she wanted. But she’d had enough to drink I wasn’t comfortable taking advantage of her inhibition.

  Laying her in the middle of the bed, I removed my jacket and tie and tossed them aside, unable to remove my gaze from the gorgeous sight of Emerson spread out on the mattress, her dark locks splayed across the pillows, her chest rising and falling with her quickened breath and the flush of heat that covered her body.

  “My God, you’re beautiful,” I whispered. I crawled up onto the bed, running my hands up her calves, over her knees, against her thighs as I gently spread her legs apart for me.

  “Chase, I haven’t ever… I mean, this is the first time I’ve… Shouldn’t you have less clothes on?”

  I stared at her, realizing she was telling me she was a virgin. She was so beautiful, so smart, and so funny. That she’d never been claimed by another proved she really had been made just for me. It also meant I’d been correct. Her first time couldn’t be some rushed affair, fueled by alcohol and hormones rather than by the true love we felt for each other. I’d worship her in other ways until I was certain to make her first time special enough.

  “I can’t make love to you tonight,” I told her. I held up a hand to forestall the argument I saw forming in that beautiful head of hers. “You deserve better than what would have happened if I didn’t have the sense to pull back. So for now, I’m going to worship your body, show you a small taste of the pleasure I want to give you for the rest of our lives.”

  I kissed her again, my hands feeling around her dress for the secret way to remove it. Pulling her up against me, I ran a palm down her back, resisting a growl at the lack of clasps back there. I lowered her to the mattress, releasing the kiss to trail my gaze down her body.

  There was no way I’d admit I didn’t understand her clothes. The fabric wasn’t stretchy enough for her to pull it over her body without some sort of button or hook or something.

  Finally, she shifted enough under me that I felt the heavenly bite of a zipper down her side. I kissed her again, my fingers gripping the majestic piece of metal that was my key to her holy land. Unfortunately, the drama of her outfit foiled me again.

  “This dress is ridiculous,” I told her as the zipper stopped at her hip. “In the future, I think I’d prefer quick-release clothes on you.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” she assured me, leaning up to capture my mouth once more.

  As I kissed her, I pushed her dr
ess up over her hips, giving up on getting her naked. It wasn’t possible without having her stand, and I wasn’t letting her out of this bed anytime soon.

  She gasped against my mouth when I trailed a finger over her pussy. Even through the barrier of her panties, I felt how wet she was, and the desire to taste her was overwhelming.

  I trailed hot, wet kisses over her neck and chest, sliding myself down her body until I rested between her quaking thighs. Her fists were already clenched in the sheets, and I smelled her desire like the sweetest perfume.

  Biting at the waistband of her panties, I used my teeth to pull them down to her calves before returning to her core, desperate to taste her. Her hips canted up, and I took it as permission, burying my face in her alluring, pink folds. My tongue laved at her clit as she bucked against me, her hands threading into my hair.

  She tasted like heaven and as I felt her first climax, taking her, I kept devouring. I wanted this release and another. Though, I’d only fuck her with my mouth and fingers tonight, I needed her replete with bliss. She’d never doubt I’d give her every bit of pleasure she could desire.

  “Chase,” she cried out, and I couldn’t help smiling as she shook.

  Just as soon as I felt her coming down, I slid a finger slowly into her soaked pussy. Determined, I sucked hard on her clit until she screamed my name, her body tense and shivering under me again.

  She fell limply to the mattress, her breaths coming in stuttered pants.

  Climbing back up her body, I rolled to lie beside her and pulled her half on top of my chest. I held her close, placing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

  “Are you all right?” I asked. “Can I get you anything?”

  “Did you get the number of that train that just hit me?” She sighed. “I still want you, you know.”

  “And you’ll have me,” I promised her. “For now, though, let’s get you ready for bed. Today was quite the adventure, and tomorrow will be another big day.”

  She nodded but just kicked off her panties, smoothed her dress back down her legs, then snuggled closer to me. In minutes, her breathing had evened out, and I knew she’d fallen asleep.