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I back up, my shoes dragging on the carpet as he advances on me, all casualness vanishing from his frame.

“I wouldneverask that of you.”

His muscles bunch in his shoulders, a small furrow appearing between his brows. Those beautiful eyes of his are now sharp.

Determined.

My core pulses.

Oh shit. I fist my hands and repeat the affirmations.I’m a professional. I have excellent impulse control. I’m staying away.

The backs of my legs hit the recliner.

Then he’s standing less than a foot away from me.

My gaze darts to the glass walls, which I didn’t turn opaque because I didn’t want to make it easy for me to fall for his tactics. He must be thinking the same thing because he reaches over and presses a button.

The room plunges into darkness.

Rex taps another button and the small desk lamp turns on.

“H-How—”

“This is my cruise, remember? I’ve seen all the specs.” He taps his temple with his finger. “And I never forget.”

Then he pulls me flush against him, and my nerves come alive.

“What do you want with me, then? I won’t change my mind about what I need.” I whimper as he dips his nose to the spot on my neck.

His spot.

“I want you. Every part of you.” He flicks his talented tongue against the spot. “I want you to wear my marks on your skin so everyone knows you’re mine.”

“I’m not your fuck—”

“Listen, and you listen carefully.” Pulling apart, he bends down and holds my gaze. “A fuck toy is someone I don’t care about. We both want to get off and that’s it. It’s a transaction. You’llneverbe that to me.”

My heart thuds against my ribs. What is he saying? I’m so damn confused.

“I’ll always care for you. Even if I can’t be yours forever. Because,” he murmurs to my skin, “I’m not right in the head and I still have enough of my mind to recognize that. I can’t provideanyonethe happiness they deserve. But you, Olive…”

With a gentle caress, his thumb sweeps over my cheek. “You’re the closest to forever for me. The closest I’ve ever been to happiness. With you, I almost feel normal. You already hold in your hand what’s left of my rotten heart. Give me the rest of this cruise, please. A few more days of paradise.”

The pain in his voice steals my breath and carves into my chest.

It hurts.

Because he’s already stolen my heart too.

I freeze.I love him.I love Rex Anderson.

Why does it hurt so much?

My vision blurs and his breath hitches. “I’m a bastard for doing this to you, but…I-I can’t help it. You’re a high I can’t get enough of. Will you pity me? Give me a few more days? We’ll stay under the radar. It’ll be our secret.”

My heart rams against my rib cage, my eyes roving over his face, seeing his desperation, his earnestness.

He isn’t lying. It’s not lip service.