Captivating You (How to Marry a Billionaire #2)

Episode 75

EPISODE 75

ENGLISH THORN

River

Cold water pummels me as I wash my hair.

Yup, a cold shower.

And not just because I’m hard as a rock thinking about Emily, but also because I need to relieve the angry crow pecking at the back of my neck.

Regular cold showers, according to my personal physician, can lower stress levels by increasing the level of beta-endorphins and noradrenaline in the blood. They’re also effective for muscle recovery after intense physical exercise, and after last night with Emily, I used muscles that have clearly lain dormant for a while. Not that I don’t have a lot of sex, but we engaged in some robust gymnastics.

I don’t want any reminders of that after seeing her with Brett this morning.

Once I’ve washed Emily and Brett—and God, last night with Misty—from my body, I turn off the water and grab a towel from the warmer. It eases the chill immediately, and I feel...

Well, not better, exactly, but at least clean.

I dry off, dress in a black short-sleeved button down and denim shorts, and then begin to throw things into my overnight bag. I choose the smaller suitcase because I’m not quite sure if I’m leaving for good. Once I’m gone, if the men insist that Misty leaves the island, I will probably return. If not, I’ll have my belongings packed and shipped back to Montana. My plan for now is to escort Sienna to the mainland, get her on the flight home, and check on Ginger and Rachel at the hospital.

Despite the cold shower, my mind whirls with emotion as I throw my deodorant into the bag with unusual vigor.

Damn Brett.

Damn Emily.

Damn Seb.

Damn Evangeline and Misty.

And you know what?

Damn Rachel, too.

I hate that she nearly drowned, and I’ll figure out the story behind that, but fuck it all. I thought Rachel and I had a connection the first night, and she went and fooled around with Ginger. Was she here to meet a man or a woman? Did it even matter to her? Did I matter to her?

But as angry as I am at all of them, I’m more frustrated with myself. I’ve gone along with Brett’s plans my whole life. I always felt he knew what was best. His IQ is off the charts, and I trust him with my life. Always have. He always had my back, and I always had his.

Until now, it seems.

This was a mistake.

This whole thing was a mistake, trying to meet women this way. And not just women but potential life partners, mothers for our children.

If the other three don’t see it, they can stay. They can fuck their way through all the women and maybe find a life mate.

For now, my plan is to get Sienna home, make sure Rachel and Ginger have every need met, and find out their plans from here. They’re intelligent women, and if they fear for their safety and the safety of the six other women, they may involve the authorities. Maybe even file a lawsuit. I’ll personally cover all of their expenses and make sure they know I’m looking into everything. If that doesn’t satisfy them, I’ll figure something else out once I get home.

Home.

My ranch.

That’s where I belong—underneath the vast Montana skies.

I’m safe there. Always safe.

I don’t feel unsafe here, but I fear the women do. As for me? Did I really think I could come to a place like this and find real companionship?

This place is a fantasy. Pure make-believe.

I’m looking for something real.

And damn...

I was beginning to think I might have found it with Emily.

I close my bag, ready to get the hell out of here, when someone knocks on my door.

Fuck.

I’m so not in the mood to deal with anyone.

I open the door to see not just Emily but Ariel, both wearing tight tanks and shorts.

Emily looks beautiful, of course. She’s clearly showered since the hot tub incident, and I itch to reach forward and touch her porcelain skin.

Damn it!

Clearly the temptation of Brett in the hot tub was enough to get Emily’s panties off.

The connection I thought we forged was in my imagination.

Does it even matter? This game—and it is a game, no matter what Brett thinks—has no rules. Emily has the right to spend time with whomever she pleases.

I’ll do well to remember that. I’ve placed no claim, and at this point, I won’t.

“What do you ladies need?” I ask, keeping my voice calm.

“Answers,” Emily demands.

“Should this be a private conversation?” I glance at Ariel.

Emily shakes her head, barreling into my suite. “Every one of us on this island put ourselves in your care. And you betrayed us.”

Fine. Keeping my voice calm is over. Who the hell does she think she is?

“How, Emily?” I grit my teeth. “How exactly did I betray you? Because I seem to recall fucking you last night only to find your pussy in Brett’s face this morning. So why don’t you clarify for me how you feel betrayed?”

Ariel gasps quietly at the revelation, placing her hand over her mouth.

But Emily...

Emily’s anything but quiet as she flushes red. “I’m not talking about sex or dating or whatever the fuck we’re doing on this island. Rachel was hurt. Sienna is leaving. And I have reason to believe my room is being monitored. So you tell me, River... Who can we trust here?”

I drop my jaw for a few seconds, dumbfounded. She thinks we’re monitoring her room? “What happened to Rachel was an accident,” I say. “Evangeline has investigated.”

“Convenient,” Emily says. “So the next time Evangeline plans a day trip, should I be worried because I caught the eye of two of you now?”

The angry crow takes aim at my neck again. At Emily for her accusations and audacity, but it’s something else too. God, she’s fiery and fucking sexy as hell.

I draw in a breath. “Sienna has a family emergency. A car accident. We’re sending her home so that if things take a bad turn she can say goodbye. It’s that simple.”

“And what assurance can you give me that our rooms aren’t being surveilled?”

Ariel’s lips tremble. She whispers something to Emily, but Emily quiets her.

I’ve had enough of this, and I hate my dick for hardening the angrier I get at Emily. I stalk toward her. “Did Brett know I fucked you multiple times last night when he seduced you in the hot tub? Or did you come onto him ?”

Emily glances at Ariel. “Maybe you should give us a minute,” she says quietly. “I’ll meet you in your room.”

Ariel nods and backs out of the suite, closing the door behind her.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Emily demands. “Are you pissed that I did what I came here to do? Get to know all of you?”

“What the fuck is wrong with you ? What happened with Sienna is private. What happened to Rachel was an accident. What more do want from me ?”

“I don’t bloody know anymore. I think it’s time for me to leave.”

She turns, but I grab her shoulder and shove her against the door. “You sure about that?”

“Are you leaving?” she asks.

Something in her voice makes me consider her question. I was intent on leaving. Told Brett I was out unless Misty left.

I glance at my small bag standing near the entrance to my bedroom. Why didn’t I pack everything if I was sure I was out?

I rub at my forehead. “I don’t fucking know. I’m not sure it matters.”

“What if it does ?” she asks softly.

Talk about mixed signals. Is she interested in me? She all but said a rancher’s life isn’t for her, and she couldn’t wait to spread her legs for Brett this morning.

But God, something about her calls to me. That creamy skin, that lush blond hair, those gorgeous and full pink lips...

Without thinking further, I bend toward her, still gripping her shoulder, and slide my lips over her silky neck.

Then I bite into her flesh, as if I’m a vampire about to claim her.

She gasps, but she doesn’t pull away.

Instead, she throws one leg around my hips.

I release her neck and trail soft kisses to her ear. “What about Brett?” I whisper. “What about the others?”

Before she can reply, I’m shoving her shorts over her hips to reveal her pink pussy. She’s commando. Nice. My cock pulses.

“You going to answer me?” I ask as she steps out of her shorts.

I drop to my knees, close my eyes, inhale her fruity musk.

“I’m... I’m not committing to anyone... Anything...” she says on a soft sigh.

But my tongue is already sliding over her slit, swirling around her clit, sucking up her delicious juices. She tastes like honey mixed with lemon, and I can’t fucking get enough.

Who else has tasted this pussy?

Fuck.

I eat her hard and fast, licking, sucking, biting, my cock hardening further with her every moan. She threads her hands through my hair, guiding me, grinding into my face. It won’t be long now.

If only I could take her back into my bedroom, continue what we started last night... And this morning...

But no.

Instead, when she’s nearing the brink, I slide two fingers into her heat, and she explodes all over my face.

I continue for a moment, pulling as much climax as I can out of her, and then I move away from her and rise.

She’s flushed and beautiful, her lips parted slightly. How I’d love to kiss them, let her taste herself on my tongue.

Instead, I walk to the door to my suite. “You are not being monitored,” I tell Emily. “You are not being watched here or in your own room. None of you ladies are. We would never violate your privacy like that. If you don’t believe me, you should go too.”

Then I open the door and gesture for her to leave.