Chapter 30
SOONER RATHER THAN LATER
Lexi
My jaw nearly unhinged when Killian revved the suped-up Jeep through the lush green jungle, the tires crunching over loose gravel and snapping branches as vines scraped along the sides of the vehicle.
With the top off, the humid air clung to my skin, heavy with the scent of damp earth and something sweet, like overripe fruit baking in the sun.
Then the trees parted.
An enormous modern villa emerged from the dense thicket like something out of a dream.
Sleek glass walls stretched floor to ceiling, reflecting the endless sea of green surrounding it.
Wraparound balconies jutted out from both levels, lined with railings and scattered with plush lounge chairs that looked like they belonged in a five-star resort.
The entire structure seemed to hover on the edge of the steep hillside, as if it had been carved straight into the jungle itself.
Killian pulled the Jeep onto a winding white gravel path that curved toward the entrance, the tires crunching loudly in the otherwise wild, untouched quiet.
He jerked up the emergency brake, the vehicle giving a slight lurch as it settled, angled just enough to remind me we were perched on the side of a drop.
Beyond the villa, the jungle stretched endlessly, layers of green cascading down the mountainside. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear rushing water, maybe a waterfall, and the sharp cry of unseen birds echoing through the canopy.
An older woman and a young guy appeared at the glass entrance, each holding a brightly colored tropical drink, condensation dripping down the sides of their glasses.
Behind them, I caught a glimpse of the interior.
It was all polished stone floors, airy open spaces, and a shimmering infinity pool that seemed to spill straight into the jungle below.
“Are you going to get out or just sit there all day?” Killian hovered just outside the car, swinging his gaze in my direction.
I couldn’t get a word out. My eyes darted from the villa to the endless greenery, completely overwhelmed by the sheer, untamed beauty surrounding us.
A rustle sounded above, and a small brown monkey leapt from a branch hanging over the balcony, its tail whipping through the air as it disappeared into the trees.
A gasp tore from my throat. “Holy shit, did you see that?”
“Yeah, I’m not blind, Red. They’re cute, but they’ll shit on your head if you’re not careful, and they’re loud as fuck in the mornings.
” Killian just stood there like it was no big deal that there was some wild animal loose in the trees.
That all of this was just a normal occurrence for him—which I supposed it was now that I took a second to think about it.
“Bienvenidos! Welcome to Casa de Campo, Senor Davenport.” The older woman dipped her head, and Killian grabbed the fruity drink from her outstretched hand.
“Thanks, Maria.” He hitched his thumb over his shoulder at me as I climbed out of the Jeep. “That’s Lexi.”
“Welcome, Ms. Lexi.” She offered a warm smile, then handed each of us a white mesh bracelet with a fob attached. “These can be used to access the private areas around the property, to charge expenses to your room, and they also serve as keys to your accommodations.”
“Great.” This girl was heading to the spa. There had to be one here, right?
“And this is our new bellboy, Antonio.” Maria motioned at the young man beside her.
The guy’s dark eyes razed over me, a grin curling his lips as he handed me the tropical drink with the colorful umbrella. “Bienvenida, bella.”
Beautiful? Well, geez, thanks. I still felt groggy after that plane ride. I’d almost fallen asleep on the ferry to the private island, which had been just a short boat ride away from the airport.
After that mind-blowing orgasm, my body still hadn’t recovered. A tremor raced through my legs remembering the feel of Killian’s tongue dragging over my clit.
“Excuse me, what did you just say to her?” Killian glared at the bellboy, murderous daggers shooting at the poor guy.
He loomed over him, his massive form dwarfing the shorter man.
“Don’t talk to her, don’t look at her, and don’t you get any fucking ideas about her at all. Do you understand me, Antonio?”
His tone was so lethal it sent a chill up my spine. The bellboy blanched, head bobbing up and down.
“Hey, chill out,” I hissed and slapped my arm across Killian’s chest, forcing him to take a step back. “I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing getaway.”
“It will be as long as he stops looking at you like that. Or I’ll have to gouge his fucking eyes out.”
Antonio darted past Killian, raced to the car and started unloading the luggage.
“I apologize, Senor Davenport,” said Maria, dipping her head but even I caught the surprise in her expression. “The boy is new, please give him a chance.”
“Fine, one chance,” he gritted out.
“Let me show you to your room.” She motioned toward the entrance, but Killian waved her off.
“It’s not necessary, I know where it is. Just have the bellboy leave the luggage outside the door.”
“As you say, senor.”
Killian marched up the steps and through the glass doors which opened up into an open-air courtyard in the center of the villa. A bubbling fountain sat in the center with dozens of colorful koi swimming through the tranquil waters.
My head swiveled from side to side, taking it all in. I’d never stayed in such a swanky place in my entire life. I could only imagine what it cost. Shit. How many more days of French maid duty at the frat was I getting into?
“You know, when you said we were going to some hotel in the Dominican Republic, I thought there would be more people around.” I never expected a private resort just for the two of us. Holy shit, was this going to be awkward.
He shrugged. “I think there are a few other guests.”
I hadn’t seen a single one so far, nor did I see another car parked when we arrived. That meant a lot of Killian and Lexi one-on-one alone time. My traitorous pussy thrummed at the idea, Killian’s threat from earlier echoing through my mind. It’s going to happen. Sooner rather than later.
The most fucked-up part was that I knew he was right.
It just felt inevitable—everything about Killian and me felt inescapable.
He’d been a part of my life for so long.
.. Then he’d vanished, and now after all those years apart, he still felt like coming home.
A totally screwed-up, psycho version, but still.
Killian took the open stairway two steps at a time, and I hurried to keep up. The sunlight streamed in from all sides, the outside-indoors concept carrying throughout the entire resort. He seemed to be in an awful hurry to get to our room, while every step closer only increased my raging anxiety.
I hadn’t expected him to get two rooms for us, given my inability to pay, but now that we were here, and after that wicked promise on the jet, the idea of sharing one with him had my insides in a desperate tangle.
Before I’d fallen asleep, he’d been sweet to me.
I could’ve sworn he’d even held my hand as I spiraled into a panic when the jet took off.
That tiny glimmer of my old best friend was dangerous.
It had my heart feeling things that would only end in disaster.
Because as much as I wanted to believe the old Killian was in there somewhere, the new version kept him tightly chained up, and the likelihood of that boy ever returning was slim.
Killian stopped in front of a white door. I’d been so wrapped up in my thoughts, I barreled right into his muscled back. He spun around, a mischievous grin on his lips, and slid his hands to my waist. “If you wanted to touch me, you could’ve just asked.”
“I didn’t,” I snapped and shoved him off.
“It’s an open invitation.” He swept his bracelet over the scanner on the door, and the lock clicked open.
Stepping to the side, he actually held it open for me, and I nearly died of shock.
“I didn’t think the word chivalrous existed in Killian Davenport’s vocabulary.” I shot him a smirk over my shoulder as I sauntered in.
“My mom drilled some things in hard, Red, despite how much I try to fight the urges.”
The ghost of a smile lifted my lips. There was a time that Daphne Briggs was like a second mother to me. I hadn’t seen her in years, not since she married the asshole that ruined my life. I missed her.
“How is your mom?” I asked.
Darkness hardened the set of his jaw. “She’s fine. Happy as hell with Stan.”
I snorted on a laugh. How that bastard continued to play the role of doting husband was beyond me. I was about to say just that when my gaze lifted to the sprawling chamber, and my jaw nearly hit the floor for the second time today.
A jacuzzi sat at the center of the room, frothy waters bubbling and lavender-scented steam settling across the space. Behind the whirlpool, floor-to-ceiling glass windows showcased a rushing waterfall spilling into a brilliant blue lagoon beneath.
“This is incredible,” I murmured. “It’s absolutely breathtaking.”
Killian marched around the jacuzzi, and I trailed his broad shoulders to the little niche in the corner of the room. A massive four-poster bed stood with gauzy curtains wrapped around the dark exotic wood that made up the posts.
“Where are you sleeping tonight?” I eyed the oversized king bed, and that anxiety bubbled back to the surface.
“That’s funny, Red.”
“They didn’t have a room with two beds?” Even I could hear the irritating high pitch in my tone.
“Nope.” He popped the P like a total asshole.
Awesome. Guess I was sleeping on the floor then. Or maybe on that hammock on the balcony.
He dropped onto the mattress and stretched out, his black shirt riding up to reveal those perfectly carved abs and the sharp V leading to—
Nope. Nope. Not going there.
I strolled across the room to the enormous windows that were actually sliding glass doors. Pressing my hand to the glass, it slid open, revealing a balcony over the lagoon. A private staircase led right to the mesmerizing blue waters below.
I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do first: dive into the shimmering pool or soak in the warm hot tub.
Heated breath ghosted across the shell of my ear, sending goosebumps rippling over my bare arms. I could feel Killian’s warmth behind me even before I turned around.
“You ready, Red?”
My heart smashed against my ribcage at the jagged edge to his tone. “Ready for what?”
His arm snaked around my waist and forced me back a step and into his unyielding frame. The heat of his body—his now naked body—leached through my clothes. Shit. Why was he naked? His hard cock brushed against my ass, sending heat unfurling between my legs.
“It’s time to make good on my promise.”