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My chest was a whirlwind of emotions, drenched in liquor, and somehow still tinged with desire.
“You bought me this dress,” I whispered. “With your dirty money.”
“I did.”
“And my bra and panties underneath.”
He dipped his head.
“My diamonds.” I lifted my hand and turned it to watch my rings and bracelet glitter. “My nails.”
His lids were heavy. “You like being a mafia princess, cariad?”
“Does it matter?”
“It matters to me.”
I had no answer for him. Instead, I took my zipper and pulled it all the way down until my dress fell in a heap. He was transfixed, unable to tear his eyes from me.
Worshiping me with his gaze.
My panties came next and then my bra, until I was fully naked in the moonlight. In the background, I could still hear the music inside the compound. But out here, it was quiet.
I flipped my wrist and made to undo my bracelet.
“No,” he said. “Keep the diamonds on.”
I looked up at him through my lashes and began backing up slowly. Lifting my hand and beckoning him to follow me.
He went, chasing me as I broke into a run. Tearing through the dark, leaving the compound behind us. Breaking out onto the beach.
I splashed into the water up to my knees, letting the salt sting my naked body. Behind me, I saw him stripping down to his boxer briefs. Then he was in the water with me, so sexy with the moonlight glinting off his body.
He reached for me, but I plunged below the surface and reappeared a few yards away. There was a glitter in his eyes I’d never seen there before. Soft, consuming. Like he was seeing something so beautiful it took his breath away.
We swam in the places where the water was still warm. Salt collected in my hair and dried on my diamonds.
He caught me. His mouth found mine in the dark. His arms cradled me, holding me to his chest.
I let him bring me to the shore. We were both tipsy and euphoric as he carried me to the compound, taking the back stairs to the bedroom.
He spilled me onto my back. The ocean rushed in the distance and the moon glowed blue, falling across the bed. Across our bodies tangled in the linen sheets.
He kissed my mouth slowly, his tongue tasting like heaven. When he pulled away, his eyes were naked.
“Do you hate me now that you know what I’m doing here?”
I swallowed, my brain foggy from drink and moonlight.
“No, but don’t hate me when I have a bad reaction to it once I’m sober.”
He laughed softly. “Hate me all you like when morning comes, baby, but I’ll still adore you.”
There was a long silence. His eyes widened as the words left his mouth and I felt my mouth drop open. A part of me had known, very deep down.
But hearing it in his words…in his voice.
“Merrick,” I whispered.
