CHAPTER93
In typical Jake fashion, the trip is organized in lightning speed, in a matter of days at most, which pass in a flurry of a busy schedule. Before long, we’re heading to the sunny deck of Jake’s father’s yacht.
The yacht is huge; we’re anchored off the shore of the most luscious, secluded beach I’ve ever seen. I’m completely overwhelmed at the beauty of this place. The sun is beating down and there is a gentle breeze of sweet, salty air. It’s truly a paradise haven, complete with palms and white sandy shores.
The crew members are formal and walk around in white uniforms; the captain even wears his hat. And everything we desire is brought to us by these magical servants who stay out of sight until needed. It is beyond my wildest dreams and, for a minute, I wonder what it would be like to be married to someone like Jake, having this life all the time.
He seems so much more chilled out and carefree, a smile never far from that handsome face, and somehow different. Jake’s friends seem okay. Daniel is keeping his distance, and I wonder if Jake has warned him off.
There are six of them with us. Daniel and two other men, Vincent and Richard, twins with white-blonde hair, gray eyes, all American good looks, and square shoulders. Jake has an alarming number of good-looking friends. They have all brought hot, leggy women on board; two of whom are currently completely topless and wandering about on deck having some sort of bitchy glaring competition with one another. The third is Leila Huntsberger, Sophie’s new sister.
Leila, Richard’s date, is amazing; she’s small and blonde and like a little hurricane in a teapot. I fell in love with her spirit and hyper energy as soon as she blew on deck, always smiling and the center of fun and hilarity. She introduced herself to me with a hug and a giggle, and then poked fun at Jake mercilessly, highlighting a real friendship there.
Marissa, Vincent’s date, is small and tawny-haired like me, although hers is browner with highlights; she’s curvy, and has an almost exotic look to her, a bit like Jennifer Lopez, only sulkier and with a lot more curve. There was something I really disliked about her immediately; she has been haughty and icy toward me since the second I arrived hand in hand with Jake at the airport.
The other girl, Daniel’s lady of the moment, is a mirror image of most of the women he’s dated in the past. Her name is Miracle; I assume it’s a porn name. She’s hanging over Daniel’s arm, practically licking him. She’s tall, slim, and seems to be all brown hair, boobs, and legs.
It has not been lost on me that Marissa and Miracle swoon and pout whenever Jake appears. Leila seems oblivious to his charms, however, and spends her time crooning over Richard adoringly.
Jake is looking as handsome as always. With ruffled hair and his usual sleek shades, he’s topless and wearing knee-length shorts which showcase desirable physique, bad boy tattoos and tanned skin. I admit that not staring at him half-naked has been hard, even awkward at first, considering he’s my boss, and I have never actually seen him topless before except in internet pictures. He is a lot sexier in the flesh.
He’s been swimming with Daniel in the ocean, topping up that Italian tan, and he is looking jaw-droppingly yummy. Despite that, after being here almost two days, I’ve managed to relax a lot and start on my tan.
Before our trip, I was met by Donna laden with bags of clothes suitable for a tropical getaway, and I threw Jake an accusatory glare. He’s since promised to limit Donna’s gold card to a budget, under my direction, and also promised to stop reaching for her number anytime he has an obsession to dress me up like a Barbie doll. It wasn’t hard to figure out that he was actually behind the non-stop purchasing.
I’m wearing a bikini that’s a nice shade of coral, and a matching sarong around my waist in a pale print. I’m not really a bikini wearer, but I don’t feel so self-conscious now that two women’s breasts are jaunting around on deck before me. The men must be used to the spectacle, as none of them seem to pay any attention to the naked boobs. This surprises me; in fact, Jake seems to avoid looking that way at all. Totally un-Carrero of him.
I’m leaning against the rail near the front of the yacht absent-mindedly watching the gentle waves, aware of his presence as soon as he comes close. It’s that warm tingling feeling whenever he’s around, an aura of safety and familiarity. Even a couple of feet away, my skin prickles at his proximity.
“Here.” With a smile, he hands me a bottle of cold, flavored water, his eyes shielded from view by his Ray Bans.
“Thanks.” I open it and take a long drink. I didn’t realize how parched I was, maybe a little too heated with his topless body so close.
“You look nice.” He appraises me through tinted lenses and I wait for the sexual banter or joking come-ons, but it doesn’t happen. I’ve noticed since our arrival that flirty, always-giving-me-the-charm Jake has been reigned in. He’s being respectful.
“Thanks.” My cheeks warm. His eyes are skimming my swimsuit, appraising me, and I turn away so he doesn’t see how awkward it’s making me. Bikini-wearing is a new sensation; I have to acclimatize to it. I also don’t want to stare at his expanse of naked torso; it’s an understatement to say he looks hotter than hot. Up close, it’s hard not to admire what being a fitness freak has done to that chiseled body.
“We’re going to the shore tonight for dinner. You want to come?” He’s looking across the calm water that stretches out to the horizon, sparkling peacefully, distracting him.
“Sure,” I smile back at him. I shield my eyes from the sun, and he automatically swipes his sunglasses from his face to mine, sending a little shimmer of warmth through me, like his thoughtfulness always does. My attentive Jake. I can’t help but beam at him. I feel like I’m always doing that nowadays.
“I really should carry a pair of these,” I laugh, but he just shrugs it off.
“They look better on you than they do on me. Your cuteness just goes with my shades,” he winks adorably.
That’s doubtful, as he has a knack for buying things that just increase the level of sexiness he exudes.
“Where are we going for dinner?” I ask, trying to distract myself from staring at his face, his shoulders, his rippling chest, his carved abdomen …
Oh lord."
