Chapter Thirteen
As Serenity docked in Bermuda, Essie didn’t know what to expect. Ross told her his business for his resort wouldn’t be more than a couple of hours. It was some trouble with the contractor who was doing renovations on his new state of the art golf course. But still, Ross planned on spending the day there. He wanted to take her out, to show her around, and then they could have dinner together before boarding and heading out to continue their trip to Miami.
She had to admit she was excited, but also hesitant. Ross wasn’t the type of guy she was used to dating. And it wasn’t as if they were even dating. As soon as they got off the boat, Essie spied the two drivers, with matching Mercedes sedans, waiting for them and knew this wouldn’t be her usual roughing-it trek. What? No mopeds available?
Ross kissed her easily, as if they were a couple in a comfortable, much longer relationship, when, in reality, they were anything but. She couldn’t help but marvel at his outward show of confidence. Though when they were alone and talking, without the buffer of a sexual flame, she picked up on definite insecurities that waved off him. But Ross did an excellent job of not letting it show. Regarding the crew, he felt no need to make any explanations or excuses about their heating relationship; and, in turn, he encouraged her not to feel it necessary to do so, either. His strong confidence left no room for any second-guessing, and she found she barely got a second glance when she went in to make breakfast this morning.
Part of it bugged her. Made it feel like them hooking up was something the crew knew was inevitable from the moment she stepped on the ship. It also made her wonder how often he did such a thing.
As Ross pulled back from their kiss, he stared at Essie hard. “You’re overthinking,” he said.
She frowned. “You’re right, I am. And it’s a waste of time on such a beautiful day.” Essie gave him a smile and rose up to kiss him, this time enjoying the thrill of his lips against hers. When would she get this opportunity again?
When she pulled away, he was smiling down at her. “I got you your own car for the afternoon. You take it into town, do some shopping.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out some bills.
Essie shook her head. “I’ll take the car, but I draw the line at taking your money.”
Ross sighed. “There’s my favorite judge. I was wondering where she went. How about doing your job? Do you mind buying some more fresh produce for the boat?”
Essie looked down, feeling bad for not giving him the benefit of the doubt. “Sorry,” she said, her voice low as she took the bills.
“Never be.” He kissed her as he moved around the driver and opened the door for her to get in the car. He kissed her once more. “You’re too sweet to be sorry. Have the driver bring you by the resort around four. I’ll show you around, and we’ll have dinner.”
As he closed the door and headed toward his own waiting car, Essie fought hard against her sudden feelings of missing him.
She had the driver drop her off at a spot in town, giving him no further direction except to make it as touristy as possible. She only had a few hours, so she might as well do it up. Candy-colored houses and Bermuda shorts, bring it on!
Essie explored the cobblestone lanes and colorful facades. She tried to get into the quaint cobblestone streets and the pretty shops, but the high number of couples—hand in hand, and arm in arm—kept bringing her thoughts annoyingly back to Ross. And she knew that thinking of him, or anyone for that matter, right now in the realm of couple’s vacations, matching outfits, and long walks, was a total waste of mental energy.
Essie paused outside a pretty local art shop window, where there was a display of necklaces. It was funny how she didn’t miss Cam at all. At least not in the way she thought she would. And here she was, just a week ago as he was walking out her door, thinking she’d miss him for a long time to come. Showed what a waste the past two years with him had been.
A lovely blue stone necklace caught her eye and made her think of her mom. No use mooning over any of this, but she’d get something for her mother. She’d already gotten her the pretty scarf she’d wanted, but this would be a bonus to make up for being away. That decided, Essie walked into the shop.
As Essie left the shop, her mom’s gift in hand, she went in search of her car and driver, having decided she was set on having him take her to shop for fresh local food. Doing the tourist thing was a bore. She’d have more fun searching for ingredients.
Once they arrived at the roadside stalls, Essie was in heaven. So many fresh fruits and vegetables, not to mention fish. She knew that before going to the resort to meet Ross, they’d have to pick up a cooler or head back to the boat so the food wouldn’t spoil.
At one stall Essie was so engrossed in conversing with a local woman about the tripe stew she was making, she didn’t notice the tall man getting close to her until he was almost upon her.
“You like it spicy?” he asked, his leering tone letting her know he definitely wasn’t asking about the stew.
Essie looked around for her driver, but saw he wasn’t by the car. Shit. She pointedly ignored the man and paid the woman for two take-out bowls of her stew. As she tried to walk away and head across the road to the car, the man followed close. Too close.
“I asked you a question.”
Essie kept walking until his hand came out and he made a move to turn her back in his direction.
“What? You too fancy to answer me, miss—”
Almost simultaneously a dark figure came into Essie’s field of vision, and she saw Mr. Handsy crumble to the ground. He howled as his hands clutched his bleeding nose.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”
Essie looked up, her wide eyes meeting Ross’s own. “But I was supposed to be meeting you.”
He shrugged, unfazed by the man now on the ground, clutching his bleeding nose, and the gathering crowd. “And I’m here to meet you. I’m still sorry I took so long. You shouldn’t have had to deal with the likes of him.”
“What the hell, man?” Mr. Spicy said while attempting to right himself.
Ross looked down at the man. He had such a hard glint in his eyes, it almost made Essie back up. He stepped on the man’s outstretched fingers, causing him to writhe in pain. “Get up. I dare you. You need to watch who and whose you make a move on next time.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bill and dropped it on the man’s chest. “Consider yourself lucky I’m feeling so good right now. Go get yourself cleaned up and something to eat.” He took Essie by the hand and led her to the waiting car. It was then that she noticed the cars had been switched. Her driver was gone and it was his car and driver.
“Where has my driver gone?” Essie asked as she got inside.
“Back to the dock. He’s taken your other packages back to Serenity. Take us to the resort, please,” Ross said. The last bit was meant for their driver before Ross hit a switch and the partition between them and the driver rose.
The look Ross gave Essie was one of pure primal sex and energy; it had the next question dying on her lips, forgotten instantly. He reached for her, and instead of putting her hand in his, she was on him. On top and straddling and kissing him, hard and fast and wet. She wore an easy sundress, which let her thighs go wide, and left her deliciously exposed and open to him. She rubbed urgently against his hard erection, her feminine center feeling like it was on fire. And for the first time in her life, Essie wanted to strip off her clothes and see what it felt like to be taken hard and fast by a man she barely knew.
The feeling made her not recognize herself, and she felt slightly afraid of the person Ross was unleashing. She moved from his lips to lick at the side of his neck. Wanting to go further, with shaky hands, she undid the buttons on his shirt and was rewarded by the sight of his hard chest and dark nipples. Essie leaned down and nipped at the beautiful tight nubs.
Ross groaned and grabbed her thighs, pushing forward. His hardness and the zipper of his pants were roughly rubbing against her. One of his large hands moved to her breasts, and Essie moved back, pulling the straps of her dress down, along with her bra. It wasn’t elegant, and it wasn’t beautiful, but she didn’t care. He was elegant, and he was beautiful, and slightly rough, and aggressive, and she wanted him on her, in her, wherever, however, she could have him.
Thankfully, he obliged, drawing one of her nipples almost reverently into his mouth and licking it as if it were the most delicate of desserts. She felt him pulse beneath her, and breathed in deep as his hand went up her thigh and almost shakily reached under her dress to clutch at her behind. She could tell he was doing his best to hold on to his hairsbreadth of control.
“Why are you holding back, Ross?” she choked out, almost wanting to shake him as she saw his Adam’s apple bob.
He looked up, a bead of sweat popping out on his forehead as he put his head back. “Because I don’t want to let go with you. I don’t want to just take you in the back of one of my cars.”
Essie swallowed, torn between telling him taking her in the back of one of his cars was just what she wanted, and knowing it definitely wasn’t. She leaned down and kissed him gently. “Then take me to your bed, Ross Montgomery.”
* * *
Ross set Essie to rights as they pulled onto his resort’s grounds. She rolled down the window to catch her breath and take in the scenery—lush green and well-manicured grounds. They drove past a beautiful yellow main house that looked like it had maybe a hundred rooms, and off to the side of the main house were smaller villas. Around them were private balconies, and little golf carts sprinkled here and there.
Their car kept going, and when Ross caught her questioning look, he gave her a small smile. “We’re going right to my private villa. I thought it best we dine alone. I hope that’s all right.”
Essie blushed. “It’s fine, but maybe we should eat and then head back to the boat. I don’t want you to get off schedule.”
Ross leaned in close. “We can do whatever you want. I will work around you. If you want to stay here tonight, we stay here. If you want to go, we go.”
Essie looked at him as the car stopped. “I’d like to see your place here.”
* * *
Ross’s villa was so very him: minimalist, elegant, and sexy. Open concept with a large sitting area for entertaining and two bedrooms off to the side. The back of the villa was all floor-to-ceiling windows, which opened to a spectacular view of the fabled pink sand beach and had Essie gasping for breath. Out on the veranda, dinner was set with fresh seafood, sweets, champagne, and desserts.
“Ross, it’s gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a beach so beautiful and all this food. We didn’t need my stew after all.” He came up behind her at the window and kissed the back of her neck, giving her a thrill that vibrated throughout her entire body.
“I think so, too. When I’m here, I can relax. Or, at least, my version of relaxing.”
Essie laughed at that.
“That part of the beach is mine and private. When we have more time, I’d love to bring you back here to swim with me.”
At his declaration she couldn’t help but feel a little sad.
“What is it?” he asked.
“That. You don’t have to make any sort of promise of anything beyond this trip. I know you can’t. That’s okay. Let’s enjoy now.”
Ross’s lips twisted, but he didn’t argue with her. “Don’t look so sad. CEOs don’t do sad.” She moved forward to kiss him. “Now I think there are more parts of this villa you can show me. I’d love to see the master suite. That is, if dinner will wait?”
At that, Ross picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. He gave her a light smack on her behind. “Oh, hell yeah, dinner will wait. If I have my way, it will wait until breakfast.”
“Hey, I don’t think this is the standard tour!” Essie kicked and giggled.
He laughed, low and deep in his throat. “It’s the way I do a tour. We’re not in the backseat anymore, Ms. Bradford.”