Page 24 of Enjoying the Ride

Fuck, I’ve gone and upset her again.

I’ve upset people before.Hell, as the nominal leader of our tribe on the island, I know that many a person has been displeased with some ruling or comment I’ve made.And I’ve rarely let their disappointment affect me.But now, sitting here with Posey, my heart feels like it’s sinking.

I’m thinking about all of this too damn much,I grumble, pissed at myself and pissed that I’m letting Posey’s emotions affect me so much, and yet I let instinct take over.

Swiftly, before I can overthink it and before Posey has time to react, I pull her to me and hold her hard against my chest.She doesn’t struggle but looks up at me with wide doe eyes.

“I need you to stop thinking that you don’t belong here, that you don’t belong with me,” I growl.“Because you do, dammit.Don’t give in to imposter syndrome.You belong here.”

Posey parts her lips, perhaps to protest or to deny my words.

Not this time.

I kiss her, the action impatient and almost cruel—a kiss based solely off of my need to make her listen, make her understand that I get my way and she has no say.That she will be mine, no matter the reason.No matter what might stand in the way.

But as our lips touch, the kiss slowly morphs.I don’t know why it does, but I find myself wanting to show the woman gentleness, affection, and to slow down the fire that seems to burn between us.My mouth slants over hers, my tongue seeking acceptance and she parts her lips beautifully.

But this version of the kiss is far more unsettling.She’s mine, and my heart twinges as a gut feeling of desire broils in my cock.Oh shit, oh shit.

I push the curvy girl away, rougher than I’d have preferred but needing distance, air, and to regain control.

She’s not ready for me.She wants answers, even if her body’s saying yes.

“It’s too soon, sweetheart,” I growl, hating each word.

“You think?After what happened last time?”Posey sasses back.“I don’t think so.”Then she nestles into my arms again, her lips seeking mine, and I don’t fight it.Instead, I grip her curves to my hard chest, finally allowing myself to lose my hands in her fiery mane, feel the length of her body against me, let some of my control slip.

For the first time in my life, someone’s challenging me and I’m not sure if it’s a fight I’ll win.

Even crazier, I’m not sure Iwantto win.

And with that strange admission, our mouths continue to dance together, full of longing, lust, and something far more dangerous.Somehow, this girl has a hold on me and yet she’s not mine.I’m grooming her to be shared by the men of Mirago … and my gut twists at the knowledge.

9

Posey

It’s the day of the pageant, and I’m backstage with the other contestants.The waiting area is a cacophony of voices.Women are giggling.A few are chattering excitedly in small groups.Quite a few girls are doing some last-minute primp, helping each other with their hair while adjusting their bikinis.

I smile as I watch the fun unfold, feeling a little sad that our days together are coming to a close because the other girls are nice.They’re welcoming even, and although we’re competitors it’s a friendly competition.There’s no backstabbing or sabotage or anything like that.

Not to mention my days with Trek are about to be over.

The kiss we had shared was pure fire.I’ve never been kissed like that.Hell, I’ve never doneanythinglike the things I’ve done with Trek.

Still, he didn’t go any further, even though my body was singing under his caresses.Yet I was happy that we stopped there because we haven’t established that Trek is only seeing me.Of course he’s not, the voice in my head warns.He’s probably pleasuring half the girls in this competition.

My heart sinks at the knowledge.Trek and I aren’t exclusive.Why would we be?He’s in a position of power, and likely, he’s getting it on with four or five other women in this very waiting room.The knowledge depresses me, and takes the wind out of my sails.My heart opens like a void that will never be filled.

I’ve tried to maintain a level head about it all.There’s more at stake than my ego, like the promise of a new job and a six figure prize.But still, I hate knowing that Trek’s probably hooking up with three or four other ladies.It makes my skin crawl, and it makes me want to sit down and cry.

Even worse, the knowledge affects me.I snapped at Dr.Smiley earlier today—not that I feel bad about that exactly—and he might fire me for my impertinence.Then, I’ll be out of a job and broke.Great, just great.

“I’m so excited and so freaking nervous at once,” Kelly chirps, appearing suddenly at my side.“It’s weird, right?”

“No, it’s not weird,” I respond.“It’s normal.”I spin around and am genuinely stunned by how pretty my friend looks in a sky-blue bikini decorated with glitzy, but tasteful, sequins.Her blonde hair is piled up around her face and her eyes pop.“Wow, you look amazing!”

“You too, Pose.You look gorgeous!”Kelly counters with an easy giggle.

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