Page 117 of Never Tell Secrets

“I’m not wearing underwear,” I whispered. “Mine were too gross to wear again so…” I shrugged, feeling embarrassed.

“Did it occur to you to check the dresser for fresh underwear?”

“No.”

“So, you decided to go bare, in a tiny dress, and risk exposing yourself in front of my staff?”

“I didn’t know?—”

“You should have. I always take care of your needs, Lola.” He stepped away, leaning against the wall as his sharp eyes roamed over me. “Let go of the dress.”

I swallowed, my heart beginning to pound in my chest. I knew that look. This all felt way too familiar.

“Alfie…”

“I’m still here.” His gaze softened for a moment, reassuring me. “Come on, baby. Flirt with me.” He wasn’t manipulating me, he was playing with me. He was having fun.

I hesitated for a moment, indecision gripping me before I decided to trust him once again. Slowly, I let go of the fabric, feeling the breeze brush between my thighs.

“Hold onto the railing,” he commanded. I did as he asked. “Good. Now, up on your toes.”

I followed his instruction and the wind caught the hem of my dress, lifting it. I gasped, but didn’t move and neither did Alfie. He didn’t look down, he kept his eyes on my face. My dress lifted again, baring me to him this time and once again, he didn’t look.

“Lift your leg and rest your foot on the railing.”

I did as he asked. My leg raised, exposing my folds. I bit my lip, the sharp wind on my clitoris a delicious tease.

“Put your hand on your pussy.” His voice was smooth like silk, his eyes dark with longing. I wondered how hard it was for him not to take me right here. “I won’t look. Put your hand on your pussy and spread it. I want that clit nice and exposed.”

This man was going to kill me…

Slowly, skin humming with anticipation, I put my hand down to that private place, my eyes on his the whole time. True to his word, he didn’t look.

“Use your middle finger to pull your little hood back.” I did as he said, moaning as the wind hit the most sensitive part of me. His eyes were warm with approval. “There we go…feel good, baby?”

I nodded, trying to stay quiet. He moved then, closing the space between us and pressing me against the railing. His erection against my stomach, he leaned over me, forcing me backwards. His hands wrapped around me like a python, one hitching my leg around his waist, the other gripping the nape of my neck as my hair swept up in the wind. His mouth found my throat, nipping, biting.

I wanted him. I wanted him with a readiness I hadn’t felt in a long time. This felt easy, it felt right.

Just as I started to grind against him, sweet moans escaping my lips, he slowed, gently easing his seduction. Was he teasing me still? Or was he easing me into what he knew was the inevitable next stage? Was this him helping me dip my toes in the ocean before deciding to jump in?

His phone buzzed in the background and I sighed as his lips found my ear.

“Go put some underwear on, baby.” Breathless, I nodded and turned to leave but he took my wrist, halting me. “Don’t go bare again. Not unless I say so.”

My immediate reaction was to snap at him but I made myself pause and really look at this man. He wasn’t being controlling. It wasn’t a request that every man would make, but we all had our lines, our boundaries, this was one of Alfie’s. It took guts for him to ask this of me, especially when we were still so new. He had always been a man who needed to know I belonged to him, that I couldn’t be shared.

“I won’t.” On shaking legs I disappeared back below deck and searched for some damned underwear.

Ten minutes later, I returned to the upper deck. Alfie was still on his work call but he followed every step of my approach.

Eyebrows raised, I lifted my dress, showing off my underwear, flashing him a ‘see?’ look. The corner of his mouth lifted up in a grin as he twirled his finger in a spinning motion. Slowly I turned on the spot for him before letting my dress go while he continued his conversation.

A yell caught my ear, a distant voice. I turned and saw the Larson house come into full view. Keira stood up on the courtyard wall, waving at me. I could see her parents behind at the table laying out breakfast.

I took a deep breath, wondering what this morning was about to bring.

Ten minutes later, we stepped onto the dock. Keira met us at the top of the steps that led to the house. She eyed my dress, eyebrows raised in admiration. “Is that Balenciaga?” I shrugged and she looked at Alfie. “You have good taste, Moneybags.”