The Billionaire's Christmas Cruise by Dakota Rebel (my reading book txt) 📕

his gentlemanly ways. I knew he wanted to let loose. I could feel it. And it should scare me since I’d never gone that far, but it didn’t. With Chase, my fear molecule just didn’t seem to appear.

His fingers buried in my hair, drawing my mouth back toward him.

“Good morning,” he repeated against my lips. “Ready to start our adventure?”

“We forgot to pick our excursions last night.” I stared up into his dark eyes, thinking I might like to take a trip there… Just stay here. Explore the glory of Chase.

Wow, apparently, my inner trollop had come on this vacation.

Chase let me go as I pulled back. I needed to move away before I was reeled in by his Death Star tractor beam. It’s a trap, Emerson!

I mentally shook my head at my ridiculousness. Chase was going to figure out what a nerd I was soon, though I suspected he might be on to me already.

“It’s okay,” he told me. “I picked some stuff after you fell asleep. If you want to exchange out anything, we can.”

“Okay,” I agreed, kind of excited to see what he’d selected. He’d seemed properly horrified by my fear of water, so I was pretty sure it was safe to say he hadn’t picked snorkeling or swimming with sharks or anything.

I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed then froze at the pile of bedding on the floor near my feet. “I didn’t do that,” I claimed.

“You sure?”

Nope. No. Wasn’t sure.

“Yes. But it was a nice try attempting to blame it on me.”

He smirked. We both knew he’d had nothing to do with it. Looked as if I needed to have a stern talk with my subconscious self who’d eliminated our Great Wall while I was sleeping.

* * * *

“So what are we doing?” I asked once we were safely on land. I was dressed in tiny denim shorts and a T-shirt over my bikini that I’d honestly thought I wouldn’t wear on the trip. Chase had insisted I have on good walking shoes, too.

He laced his fingers through mine. “Well, I didn’t think you’d want to swim with the pigs, so…”

“You’re right there, but it sounds interesting to see though.”

“Maybe, we will. I figured we’d stroll the boardwalk. They have one that runs a great deal of this island. Then we’ll have lunch at the Jumbey Grill then hit up the five bars in our own little pub crawl.”

“Sounds dangerous—the alcohol part. And like we’ll have a bunch of time by ourselves.” And unlike any of the guided excursions I’d read about.

His thumb stroked over the back of my hand. “I may have booked us a private cabana, too. We can be on the beach but not too near the water.”

“I hear it’s supposed to be a perfect sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. So, Mr. Malloy, are you the tour guide for this day trip?”

“Well, Ms. Blake, I certainly am. I think the first order of business is heading over to the cabana for some sunblock. And some kissing. It’s been at least an hour since I’ve had you in my arms with my mouth on yours.”

I curled my lips together and fought a smile. At the same time, my core clenched in utter delight. Yes, please. Let’s kiss.

“I might need help with the sunblock,” I said, feeling quite brazen.

He let go of my hand, but a moment later, those same fingers grazed up my bare thigh, lifting goose bumps. “I’m counting on it, darling. Counting on it.”

Chapter Six

~ Emerson ~

When we got to the lush, spacious cabana Chase had reserved, the loungers were pushed to the side and two tables with thick pads on them were in the center.

“Couples massages,” he told me. “I thought it would be a great way to start the day. They have some world-class people on staff, which is good because you should get only the best.”

“I’ve never gotten a massage,” I told him.

“Well, you’re in for a treat,” a male voice said from the open front of the enclosure. When we wanted to be alone, a pair of curtains could be pulled over it for privacy, but right now, a blond, tanned guy in a white tee and floral board shorts stood there.

“You are?” Chase asked, sounding unwelcoming. His body was rigid. Any minute, I expected him to jump in front of me as if dodging a bullet from the surfer dude here.

“I’m Shane. I’m here for your massage.”

“No, you’re not,” Chase growled. I gave him side-eye because what the heck.

“Chase,” I muttered through my teeth. “Don’t be rude.”

“He’s not touching you,” he replied back, under his breath.

Shane’s brow furrowed, and he lifted a clipboard I hadn’t noticed. “Uh…” he clicked his tongue in a random tune as he surveyed it. “Two massages. I’m supposed to do yours,” he glanced at Chase, “and my partner, Millie, who should be here in a minute, is doing Ms. Blake’s. You are Mr. Malloy, correct?”

Chase gave a chin lift.

“Don’t worry, dude. I’ll be gentle,” Shane teased.

My guy shook his head.

“Hey, can we have a sec?” I asked the masseuse.

“Of course. We’ll be ready to get started in a hot minute. You two need to…” He made a quick motion over his sternum and clicked again. “Get naked on the top then climb under the sheets, face up. Be back in five.”

He drew the curtains, enclosing us in shadows.

I closed the distance between me and Chase then draped my arms loosely around Chase’s waist. “Relax. He seems harmless, and I bet he’ll be completely professional. He wouldn’t be top-rated if he was on the make.”

“You’re right.” Chase bussed his lips over mine, and I hummed. I really liked it when he did that. In fact, truth be told, I kind of looked forward to going to bed tonight and pretending like I wouldn’t end up all tangled up with him again overnight. Waking in his arms had been shocking, but it was