Page 11 of The Reluctant Billionaire

Probably a good thing too, Nessa realized ruefully. She’d been just about to climb astride Jace’s lap and grab his hands and bring them to her breasts. Her nipples were aching inside her wet bikini top, wanting stimulation. With a reluctant sigh, she pulled back from the kiss, giving Cory a glare.

In response, he flicked his eyes at a couple of giggling teenagers on the other side of the boat.

Cory was right; they didn’t need to be getting hot and heavy in public. But Jace’s kiss had woken something deep inside of Nessa which she’d kept dormant for a long time. The end of the boat trip seemed very far away, and Nessa hoped she’d be able to hold out until they could finally be alone together.

“We’re coming up to Whitehaven Beach now,” Cory announced. “You can have a swim or whatever while we’re setting up lunch; it’ll be ready in about fifteen minutes. We’ve got an hour and a half total here, so make the most of it!”

Nessa hesitated, then asked Cory quietly, “Do you want any help getting lunch set up?”

He smiled down at her, touching her shoulder. “Nah, hon, you’re all good. You’re a paying guest today, courtesy of Jace here. You just have fun. I do this three or four times a week, got it down to a fine art.”

She gave him a grateful smile.

“Damn, that sand really is white,” Jace said in amazement, shielding his eyes from the sun’s reflected glare. “Is it coarse sand, or fine?”

“Incredibly fine, ike powdered sugar,” Nessa remembered from her previous visit. “It getseverywhere.”

“At least we’ll be swimming again afterward. And hey, if it gets in your bikini, I’ll volunteer to help you get it out.” Jace grinned wickedly.

She elbowed him lightly in the ribs, grinning back. “Behave, or our chaperone will be telling us off again.”

They were both giggling like kids as they climbed off the back of the boat into the shallow water and walked hand-in-hand to the beach. The fine powdery sand promptly coated their wet legs, as Nessa had warned.

“This looks a nice spot,” Nessa said as they reached a secluded section of the beach. “You okay to lie in the sun for a bit?”

“Sure, I’ll just put some more sunscreen on.”

They both spread out towels and lay down. Nessa pointed at her lower legs, laughing. “Look, my legs are nearly as white as yours!”

“Nessa!” Jace chuckled. “Never say that. Your skin is beautiful.”

“Please say you’re not going to call me cocoa or chocolate or anything like that?” She rolled to her front, shading her eyes with her hand to look at him.

“Come on! I’m an Aussie but I’ve been working in New York for five years now. I know how culturally insensitive it is to compare skin tones to food.” He gave her a reproving look. “I’m not much for flowery similes as compliments, anyway. Blatant honesty is more my thing.”

“Blatant honesty?” Nessa crinkled her eyebrows.

“You’re incredibly beautiful. Your skin glows. Your eyes sparkle. I find it very hard to look anywhere else when I’m with you.”

“…Okay, that’s pretty blatant,” Nessa said when she got her breath back. “Wow.”

Jace grinned at her. “Just making sure you know how I feel. I could go on, if you like?”

“My head might get too swollen and explode. You’re very good for my ego, though.”

He reached across the small gap between their towels, fingers curling gently around hers. “I’d like to be good for a lot of things for you, Nessa. Sneaking off into the undergrowth to make out like a pair of horny teenagers is sounding mighty appealing right about now.”

“If it wasn’t for the wildlife, which would no doubt make that into a very dangerous endeavor.” Nessa grinned back at him.

“Come on, I’m an Aussie. Snakes and spiders don’t terrify me.”

“I’m a Brit, and they do bloody well terrify me! Besides, it’s the lizards you’ve got to worry about. Cory told me he saw a five foot long goanna here a couple of weeks ago.”

“They’re not gonna attack you.” Jace chuckled at her expression of horror.

“Thanks, but I’m not prepared to risk my toes for the sake of a make out session with you. Tempting though that may be. You’ll just have to wait until later.”

“Later?” His fingers squeezed a little more firmly on hers.

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