Jake had pulled out all the stops to get the trip together in record time. Once he had the idea in his head and knew she wanted it to happen, he was all over it.
A few calls here and there, a few nudges, and everything was set.
He had steamrolled over her doubts, refusing to let her back down, and they had gotten there without any more arguments.
His mind was set on seeing her in a bikini, not that he would be able to do anything about it, but still.
It was a sight he wasnât passing up.
That tense ache in his groin had only reminded him how badly he needed sex lately.
He wasnât a guy who had ever gone extended periods without, and now here he was, starting to doubt his ability to relax.
She would be walking around semi-naked, and he was almost spring-loaded like this.
~Fuck, he should have gone out in a glory of drink and fucking before this trip.~
***
She seemed completely in awe of his dadâs cruiser.
Jake had seen it a million times, so to him, it was nothing special.
A long yacht, white like every other and sitting in an idyllic port surrounded by the blue sea and white sands.
Being surrounded by the sun, friends, and her was enough to lift his mood tenfold.
They could have a good time here if he could push the lustful thoughts aside.
The crew was under orders to keep out of the way; he didnât want her feeling intimidated by them.
He knew she wasnât someone who liked wealth being a showy thing, and he was damned if he would make her uncomfortable with anything while here.
She had been forewarned that he was taking care of anything and everything, including shopping trips, if she wanted them.
He had felt like an ass as she had blinked at him, aching to argue, but in this, his word was final.
Date or not, he was old-fashioned; he paid for his girl. Even if he wasnât sleeping with her.
His friends had all been forewarned to behave; no jokes about being his secretary or any of the men trying their luck.
He would beat them to death with their own shoes if they tried.
He hadnât exactly been happy to see Marissa in tow with Vincent.
He had no idea what her fucking game was being on this boat, but he sure as hell wasnât being drawn into any little Marissa games.
Vincent was an idiot. He should have known she would sucker one of the twins; theyâd always trawled along after her in hopes of a date.
He hadnât seen her since the night he had stupidly gotten drunk and fucked her, not that he could remember.
He had no clue how he had even ended up with her that night; he must have been royally messed up, and if she thought there would ever be a repeat, she was wrong.
He would throw her overboard if she got in his way. He was happy to ignore her presence, knowing it would annoy her more than having her escorted off.
Emma need never know anything about her or who she ever was to him. It was history and nothing he would ever rehash.
Daniel was keeping his distance, just like Jake had told him to. Emma wasnât one of his playthings, and he knew better than to cross Jake.
There were six of them, with Jake and Emma on the boat.
He figured a crowd would give him more chance to get time alone with her than just another couple of people.
With them were Daniel in all his tanned blond glory and the twins, Vincent and Richard, white-blond hair and gray eyes, all American good looks and square shoulders on all three.
Leila was wandering about on deck, having some bitchy glaring competition with Marissa and Miracle, Danielâs porn star, and this was the last thing he needed.
At least Leila wasnât being viperous to Hunter for once. Seemed things had finally cooled down with them after months of frosty glares.
Being in the same place again without toxic warfare was pretty great.
He would have to warn her about starting anything with either girl, not that he worried Leila couldnât handle themâthe exact opposite.
If Leila flew off the handle, it would be an airlift to the coast ER for two females, and Leila wouldnât be one.
He had bad memories of Leila taking on some of Danielâs dates in the past and flying bottles.
Jake had already had to deflect advances from the leggy porn star who, while topless, had tried to grapple him alone in the lower hall.
Hands going for his groin. He wasnât immune; he was horny as hell, and she had managed to get her hand into his shorts while he had dodged her mouth.
She was fuckable, but as soon as her hands had been on him, all he could think about was Emma.
He knew Daniel wouldnât care if he fucked Miracle down here; they had shared in the past, and all he needed to do was open a door and bend her over a bedâshe was obviously game.
He had pushed her off and told her to stay the fuck away; she wasnât what he wanted by a long shot.