“Why do you keep saying that I hate you?” Luis asked, concern making his brow dip as he tucked a wet strand of hair behind my ear. I let out another pained cry at the gesture.
“I heard you. I was going to tell you how I felt. I was going to explain. But then I heard you tell Godfrey that I...I disgust you.”
Luis froze for a moment then let out a slow exhale, and he cupped my face. “Is that why you ran away and drank yourself crazy?”
I nodded miserably.
He cursed under his breath. “No, no. I could never hate you. I wasn’t talking about you, Royal. I was talking about my ma.”
A glimmer of hope sparked in my chest as I wiped my eyes and lifted up to stare at him. “You don’t hate me?” I clarified.
“Not even a little bit. Not even if I wanted to. I was pissed at you, that’s true. And then I was pissed at myself for not realizing what was going on, and then for reacting the way I did. But I don’t hate you,” he explained, dropping his hands from my face. “I think you self-sabotage, Royal. I think you don’t believe good things can happen to you, so you ruin shit before life ruins it for you.” I felt my heart plummet into my stomach. “But I love you. And I’m happy to spend my life proving to you that you deserve every ounce of happiness there is.”
My brown eyes widened. “You love me?” I whispered. For some reason, that fact was the hardest to sink in. Maybe he was right. Maybe I didn’t believe I was worthy of happiness and that’s why I kept pushing Luis away. Was I really that fucked up?
“Look, I’m not happy with what happened, but I get why you did what you did. When I’m not losing my temper and freaking the fuck out, I do understand. I don’t want you to feel like you have to shoulder this alone. I want to be here for you. I want you to trust me. ”
“I do trust you. Promise,” I said before gripping his hand. “Look, Aaron trapped me and made me feel helpless. I don’t know what it is about him that terrifies me, but when he says jump—I do. I’m just...ashamed of what happened back in Ecuador. I killed a woman. And until now, Aaron was the only person that knew. He’s twisted and manipulative—but that’s no excuse. I just...I need you to understand.”
“I do. And I need you to understand that this”—Luis paused to lean in and brush his lips tenderly against mine—“is very real. You’re mine, Royal. This is permanent. I’m still going to be there when you piss me off. I’ll be there when you break my heart or lose your way. I’ll be there till you’re old and gray and your boobs are dragging on the floor.”
I snorted. “And you’ll have to pop Viagra to get it up.”
He nodded, showing off his heartbreaking grin. “And we’ll be coordinating orgies in the old folks home to keep the spark alive.”
We both broke out into a fit of laughter, the weight of yesterday disappearing as the ease of our connection settled in our bones. “No more secrets, okay?” Luis said as the laughter died down. He picked up my hand to kiss it, and I watched him with hooded eyes.
“No more secrets,” I promised.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Royal
I don’t know why I did it, but I wore the skimpiest bikini I owned. Maybe it was because I wanted minimal tan lines. Maybe because the island was private, meaning I didn’t have to worry about leers from strangers.
Or maybe, just maybe, I wanted Luis’s attention.
He hadn’t once stopped by since our talk. He’d been too busy working with the Heirs and Forty-Three on finding a solution to my Aaron problem. I only saw him during meals or when he’d sneak into my cabana at night after working all day.
Every time he snuck into my bed at night, I kept waiting for him to pick up where we left off in the shower. All the months of buildup had me practically salivating. I wanted him to fuck me. I wanted to connect with him in the most intimate way. But instead, he’d just kiss me, wrap his arms around me, and go to sleep. Just like that.
The asshole slept like a goddamn baby while I lay next to him horny and confused.
Part of me wondered if he was second-guessing things with me, but I quickly pushed that thought away. Luis was right, I doubted that I deserved love, and I ruined things before they could even start. We only had two days left before flying back to Savannah, and since Rogue was forcing Luis to at least look at the beach once while we were here, I decided to join them.
“Man, Dad would love it here,” Rachel said while stretching.
“Maybe next time he can come?” Scarlett offered. “When does he get out?”
“He’s got a year-long sentence, but Judge Palmisano thinks he can get him out in four more months, assuming he’s on his best behavior. Part of me wonders if he’s actually enjoying prison,” Rachel replied with a chuckle. “But I’m not sure he’d like to be the third wheel on a romantic vacation with my boyfriend.”
“True that,” Scarlett hummed appreciatively. I was burning up with jealousy. Look at me, Luis.
“You look hot, Royal,” Rachel said with a laugh while rubbing more sunblock into her pale skin. She was wearing a one-piece that clung to her body like a second skin. The guys were playing beach volleyball, and my eyes were glued on Luis.
“It’s one of my favorite suits,” I replied with a nonchalant shrug, though on the inside I was saying, goddammit, Luis look at me.
“He keeps staring, you know. Whenever you’re not looking,” Scar added. She was in a bright red bikini and was reading a book, her toned muscles on full display. “He keeps biting his lip and shaking his head.”
“He’s been busy since we got here. I’m trying not to take his lack of attention personally,” I grumbled.
My eyes flickered over to them again, and I watched in awe as he spiked the ball, his muscles flexed and tempting. I was being an idiot. I knew that he wouldn’t be working all day to bring Aaron down if he didn’t care, I’d just hoped that this trip would solidify our relationship… physically.
“Maybe he’s waiting for you to make the first move. You’ve experienced a lot of trauma, and he doesn’t want to pressure you like that asshole who forced himself on you,” Rachel mused.
I turned to look at her, the corner of my lip dipping down at her words. “You think?”
“In my limited experience, guys respond to this in two ways. They either start treating you like fine china or treat you like the bull. Maybe he’s just waiting for you to initiate. He’s been pursuing you for months, girl. It’s your turn.”
I absorbed Rachel’s words. Maybe she was right. Luis had proven that he cared about me and that he desired me, time and time again. Out of all the girls that constantly threw themselves at him, he’d picked me.
Well, I wasn’t going to be stupid anymore. I wasn’t going to let our age difference, my family, my doubts, or this shit with Aaron keep me from actually having a chance at something good. I was done letting everyone else determine my life for me.
“Yep. He’s looking at you like he wants to eat you up,” Scar replied with a smirk before squirting more sunblock in her hand. She looked from me to Luis and back again. “How about we give him a little invitation, hmm? Come here, Royal, your chest is burning,” she said, a mischievous smirk while wiggling her eyebrows.
I chuckled to myself but scooted closer, and she started rubbing the lotion onto my shoulders while biting her lip, sinking it lower and lower while trying to keep a straight face. “Mind taking off your top?” she asked.
“Oh, man. I better get rid of Godfrey,” Rachel laughed.
With a wink, she got up and walked over to him where he was standing on the outside of the volleyball court, hands on his hips while he watched his friends play. Bonham was hobbling slightly but looked carefree. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw him roughhousing with the guys, so it was nice to see. Rachel tapped Godfrey on the shoulder, making him turn to her, and whispered something in his ear. Within seconds, he was hoisting her over his shoulder and marching off towards their cabana, smacking her ass as she laughed.
“What
are you up to?” I asked as Scarlett scooted even closer to me and started rubbing lotion over my arms and shoulders in slow, sure strokes.
“I’m helping you,” she said quietly, her eyes darting over my shoulder. “Trust me. This shit works. Now take off your top, Royal,” she smiled mischievously. “Don’t want you getting a sunburn.”
I shook my head at her antics, but I felt myself having...fun. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had real, uninhibited fun.
I darted my eyes over to Luis and saw that he still wasn’t looking, so I decided, what the hell? It wasn’t like this was the first time I’d taken my top off to tan, and Rachel had gotten my brother out of here. This is the kind of wild stuff I used to do all the time. It would be nice to let loose again. Without wasting another second, I reached up to untie the straps holding up my bikini top.
“Ooh girl, you have some great boobs,” Scarlett grinned before squirting more lotion into her palm and reaching over to rub it in. “So perky.”
I laughed. “I’m so going to hell,” I said before tilting my head back on a sigh to make sure I gave Luis a good show. If I was going to hell, might as well get a first class ticket and enjoy the ride. Scarlett stifled another laugh before smearing the lotion all over my chest. Her entire body was shaking with mirth, but she was working hard to keep her laughter from coming out.
“Should I go lower? We’re on a private island, and I’d hate for you to get tan lines,” she joked before leaning forward to whisper in my ear. I could feel her lips against my skin, and I had to stifle a laugh at her theatrics. “Now moan slightly, they’re all watching.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Bonham yelled across at us, affirming her statement.
“Mmm,” I let out, feeling stupid and only slightly turned on. “Thanks, Scar,” I whispered, kissing her on the cheek.
One second, Scar was feeling me up with a wink, and the next, she let out a squeal, as she was suddenly hauled up in a set of arms as a hard as fuck Rogue walked her towards their cabana.
“Good luck!” she yelled with a laugh and a wave.
“Guess I’ll go find Forty-Three and day drink,” Bonham muttered as he rolled his eyes and started walking away.
I looked over my shoulder, watching him go, and then laid down on my lounger, my sunglasses perched on my nose. I let one arm dangle down to the sand, and I dragged a finger up and down the hot grains as the sun soaked into my skin.
I closed my eyes and kept my breathing relaxed, despite how much I was internally freaking out.
I felt him as soon as he approached, and despite my best efforts, my chest started rising and falling more rapidly. Was he going to speak? Touch me? Drag his finger over my breasts? The anticipation kept building and building, my insides fluttering as I waited to see what he’d do.
Seconds dragged by with my breaths.
Minutes passed with my racing mind.
He wasn’t even touching me, but he was so close I could smell his cologne mixed with the natural musk of him. He smelled like the ocean and sunscreen with a hint of rum.
I could easily have opened my eyes and glanced up at him, but the anticipation excited me too much. The not knowing made every nerve ending, sense, and emotion heightened. Even the steady crash of the waves sounded further away suddenly, because I was completely honed in on him. And every moment that went by that he continued to stand there, raking his eyes over my naked chest, I grew wetter.
“Quiero chuparte las tetas y hacer que te mojes,” his voice whispered over me, hooking into my skin and making me shiver. “That was a dirty trick, Majesty. If you wanted me, all you had to do was ask.”
A finger finally made contact with the curve of my waist, making my skin jump. He slowly trailed it up, leaving goosebumps in his wake as he went further and further up. His finger traced below the curve of my breast, and then his hot palm cupped it, making my breath hitch. When his other hand came down to cup the other one, my body arched up into his touch, and my eyes dragged open.
Luis was so close that all I had to do was lift my head, and we could kiss. I lifted my sunglasses off, tossing them into the sand before taking the ones from his face and doing the same. I wanted to see the hunger in his eyes and show him that I had the same look in my own gaze.
“You better be sure, Royal,” he said quietly, his voice gravelly. “Because if I take you now, I’m not letting you fucking walk away ever again. Me and you will be official. Do you want this? Do you want me?”
The raw need and hungry truth in his eyes nearly unraveled me. “I’m sure.”
“Thank fuck.”
Luis turned around and then knelt at my feet, with his back facing me. My lips tipped up into a smile. “What are you doing?”
“What’s it look like?” he said over his shoulder. “You’re royalty. I’m offering you a ride.”
With a grin, I got up and wrapped myself around his back, letting my arms curl around his shoulders. “This isn’t quite the horse drawn carriage ride I was envisioning,” I teased.
He got to his feet, carrying me with him, and grabbed hold of my thighs to hold me in place. “Believe me, you won’t be complaining about the ride you get in about ten minutes.”
My core pulsed at his words, and a little needy whimper left my lips.
He carried me across the sand, my naked breasts pressed against his bare back, and I nuzzled into his neck, breathing in his scent as I started running my lips over his skin. When I nibbled the sensitive skin beneath his ear, he growled and gripped my thighs tighter. “You keep doing that, and I won’t make it to my cabana. I’ll have to take you right here on the beach, and then sand will get in all kinds of unfortunate places.”
I laughed, but honestly, I was so turned on that I would’ve let him.
Once we were finally at his place, he pushed open the door, letting it slam shut behind us. He walked me over to the white, breezy bed before gently laying me down.
“Tu cuerpo me vuelve loco,” he whispered, his eyes raking over me. He hadn’t moved to touch me again and was just taking in the sight of my body.
“I love it when you speak Spanish to me,” I replied before trailing my hand down my neck and pinching my nipple. He sucked in a breath while watching me, hooded eyes taking in every movement. I liked how I was the center of his world right then, and I wanted to give him a show.
Slowly, I trailed my fingers down to my stomach, tracing patterns of circles with the pads of my fingertips as I went. Once at my bikini bottoms, I dipped one finger behind the band.
“Tu cuerpo me vuelve loco,” he rasped again before taking a step closer.
I didn’t have to understand his words to know that it was fucking hot. I loved hearing his rolling tongue kiss each syllable, and imagining how his mouth would feel on my skin. But he still didn’t touch me, even though I desperately wanted him to.
I slipped my fingers even lower while using my other hand to massage my breasts, letting out a breathy moan as I circled my clit, bucking on the bed when I felt how sensitive I was. Luis cursed again. “You like that?” I asked as he bit his lip.
“Mi amor. You’re so fucking beautiful. Do you think of me when you touch yourself?” he asked before sinking to his knees at the edge of the bed.
“Yes,” I admitted. There was no point in lying now. Luis was hot and had starred in quite a few of my fantasies.
“Do you want me to touch you?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied while moving my finger faster. I was so close, just his words were enough to bring me over the edge.
His hand shot out, and he grabbed my wrist, yanking my hand out of my slick folds. “Then let me take care of that for you.”
In one move, he grabbed me by the waist and turned me over onto my stomach. He was on top of me in a second, his hips pinning my ass down. I felt him reach over, and then heard the drawer open and close. My heart was beating wildly with anticipation.
When I heard him shuffle above me, I shifted my hips, my body practi
cally begging for friction, for touch, for something. But Luis just chuckled. “So impatient, Majesty.”
“Luis, just do it,” I said, practically whining. I would’ve been embarrassed if I weren’t so turned on with need.
“Oh, no. I’ve been waiting for this for fucking years, Royal. There is no just do it. You’re finally fucking mine, and I’m gonna show you.”
His words made my thighs clench and my heart stutter. And then, instead of a condom wrapper opening, I heard a distinct metallic click.
When I felt something cold and sharp trail up my arm, I looked over and saw Luis lightly scraping a blade up my skin. My breath hitched. “What are you doing?”
He didn’t break stride. He didn’t stop. The tip of the knife kept moving. “You’re not just gonna give your body to me today, Royal.”
I swallowed hard, a healthy dose of fear thumping through me. I didn’t understand where he was going with this. “I-I’m not?”
“No. Me and you do this? Then I want all of you. I want your body. Your mind. Your heart. But most of all? I want your trust.”
My eyes were riveted on the blade as it glinted up and over my shoulder. I lost sight of it as he started dragging the sharpness down my spine. He was doing it so gently that a chill travelled over me, but the danger of it all...it made me even wetter than before.
“Do you trust me, Royal?” he asked huskily before poking the tip of the blade against my skin. I let out a gasp, my entire body going still. I hadn’t realized I didn’t answer him, so to demonstrate his impatience, he laid the knife on its side, chilling me with the danger and cool metal. “Dímelo. Tell me.”
“Yes,” I said on a shaky exhale, every damn nerve in my body going haywire with need.
“Bueno,” he rasped before using the blade to cut the string of my bikini bottoms, letting the scrap of fabric fall from my body. I shivered a little, but I didn’t feel self-conscious that I was now completely bare in front of him. If anything, I wanted to turn over so I could look at him while he looked down at me.
But then he pulled away for another moment, and I whimpered at the loss of contact. I looked over my shoulder, and my mouth dropped open as he pulled his swim trunks off, his dick springing out the moment his clothes were free.
Wild: Savannah Heirs Page 22