22. Hailee
Chapter twenty-two
Hailee
O ur driver pulls up alongside the marina, the water sparkling like diamonds in the sunshine, as if dressed up for our cruise.
“You ready?” Dameon asks, his excitement mirroring my own.
“Absolutely. Let’s do this,” I say, smiling. This trip has been on my mind ever since Cora mentioned it.
Dameon slides out of the car and grabs our bags from the trunk, swinging one over each shoulder. I love the way his biceps bulge through his tight white T-shirt as we make our way down the jetty.
We pass a few yachts until we reach the end, and I abruptly stop, blinking in awe at the monstrosity before me. This isn’t a yacht—it’s a ship.
“Holy shit. That’s massive.”
“That’s what she said,” Dameon quips with a wink as he passes me, striding up the gangplank onto the “yacht.”
I may not know much about boats, but this one would have to be at least two hundred feet long. It gleams in the sunlight, practically begging for a photoshoot. There’s even a helicopter pad with a full-size helicopter perched on top, and a speedboat attached to the side.
“You coming?” Dameon calls from the deck.
“Uh-huh.” I follow him up and take his offered hand. I don’t know why I keep forgetting he’s stupidly wealthy until it hits me with moments like this. My jaw pops open as I take in the spacious and elegantly decorated main cabin, its polished wooden floors and plush furnishings in beautiful hues of cream and navy. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the design, from the intricate woodwork and ornate moldings to the exquisite artwork adorning the walls. Large windows frame panoramic views of the seascape, and I suck in a quiet breath, overwhelmed by its beauty. Dameon leads me out onto the expansive deck where there’s plenty of room for lounging in the sun and dining alfresco.
“Yay! You finally made it!” Cora calls, waving her pinkish cocktail overhead. She’s dressed in the cute red bikini we picked out on our shopping trip, the fabric barely covering her ample tits, with a sheer lace cover-up.
“You started on the cocktails early.” I throw my arms around her, squeezing her tightly.
“So, I started the party while we were waiting for you guys.” She shrugs and sucks loudly on the cocktail straw.
“I’m going to drop our bags into our room and let the captain know we’re good to go,” Dameon says from behind, his hand brushing lightly against my bare shoulder.
“Okay.” Our eyes connect, and unspoken words pass between us, a promise of what’s to come. The memory of his head between my thighs only an hour ago lingers. It wasn’t nearly enough to satiate us. It’s the reason we’re running late and by the looks of it, we’re the last couple to arrive upon this monstrosity.
When I came down the stairs wearing the itty-bitty bikini that I picked out with Cora, it set him off. Three orgasms later, I practically had to pry his face away from my pussy, his soft blond hair tangled in my fingers, as I insisted that I really wanted to see his “boat.” Otherwise, we wouldn’t have made it at all. He relented, but insisted I cover up with jean shorts and a tank top—the only time he’s allowed me to wear shorts—so that the easy access wouldn’t drive him wild.
“Jesus, you two. I think I just started ovulating.” Cora fans her face, breaking our electric connection.
Dameon beams and gives me a peck on the lips. He grabs my ass and squeezes. “Strip for me, goddess. When I get back, I want these cute little shorts gone,” he mumbles against my lips, before disappearing down a flight of stairs. Internally, I flinch at his use of “goddess.” It’s jarring to hear the name fall from his lips when I’ve become used to hearing “kitten” and “gorgeous.” All it does is remind me of work.
Cora smiles and shakes her head. “Come on, let’s get you a drink.”
Following her lead, I make my way to the lounges on the deck. James is there, relaxed in shorts and T-shirt, a break from his usual sharp suit. He wears casual wear with the same effortless charm as Dameon. Cora perches herself on his lap, and he’s instantly captivated by her. The adoration in his gaze is truly a beautiful sight to behold.
“Glad you could grace us with your presence,” James drawls, earning a playful smack on the chest from Cora.
“Dameon had some business to wrap up.” I bite the inside of my cheek to smother my smile.
“Hmm… Let me fix you a drink.” James taps Cora on the ass as she rises from his lap. He heads over to the bar to mix me a cocktail while Cora slips out of her lace cover-up.
That reminds me.
I quickly shed my shorts and tank top, leaving them neatly folded on a nearby bench. Settling onto the lounger, I accept the fruity pink cocktail James hands me.
“I’ll go check on Dameon so we can get ready to disembark.” He fists Cora’s hair and drags her head back so he can smash his lips to hers. The kiss is deep and filthy, and I cannot look away.
“Mmm, it’s nearly time to fill you with my cum again,” James murmurs, eliciting a deep blush from Cora.
“We’re trying again. He’s obsessed with getting me pregnant,” she explains when he walks away.
“How old is Noah now?”
“Six months.”
“God, time flies.” I adjust the straps of my bikini in a feeble attempt to cover more than just my nipple.
“It sure does,” she sighs contentedly. “Noah and Leo are having a blast with their cousins this weekend. It gives James and me some much-needed alone time.”
Taking a cautious sip of my cocktail, I wince at its sweetness before asking, “So, how many kids are you planning on having?”
Cora chuckles, shaking her head. “If James has his way, I’ll be pregnant for the rest of my life. There’s something about my pregnant belly that drives him wild. He’s insatiable… Who am I kidding, so am I. Pregnancy hormones are no joke.” She widens her eyes. “Do you want kids?”
Lately I’ve found myself contemplating this question more than ever. Raising Beth wasn’t exactly a choice I made consciously; it was more of a necessity. Nevertheless, guiding her into adulthood has been an immense honor. But if I wasn’t being blackmailed, would I willingly choose to go through it all over again?
“I don’t know,” I admit. “Not yet… maybe one day. Right now I have my hands full with Beth.”
As the boat sets off, a comfortable silence envelops us. The warmth of the sun against my skin feels amazing, and the gentle sea breeze ensures I won’t overheat. Closing my eyes, I tilt my face toward the sun, soaking in its warming energy and relishing in the peaceful moment. Thoughts of Dameon and the snippets he’s shared about his ex swirl through my mind. Glancing over my shoulder to ensure we’re alone, I allow myself to delve deeper with Cora.
“Do you know if Dameon wants kids?” I ask. Cora frowns at me as if the question is absurd.
“Hell, no. I thought he told you about Mia?”
“He did.” Although, I’m starting to think he didn’t share the full story.
“Good. I’m glad he did. I think your contract with him will be good. It might help him move on and realize that he’s capable of being in a relationship to some extent. It’s like a practice run,” she muses. My stomach drops, and her words cut me like a sharp blade slicing through my chest. But I ignore it, pushing aside the pang of hurt.
“Happy to be of service.” I raise my glass in a toast to the notion.
“I couldn’t believe it when James told me. I mean, who does that? Who fakes a pregnancy? It was like something from The Bold and the Beautiful .” She rolls her eyes and I freeze at her words. Dameon conveniently left that part out of his story. I try to keep my face blank so she continues to spill the tea, but I’m not that skilled of an actress.
“He didn’t tell you, did he,” she says.
I sigh and shake my head. “Nope.”
“I’ll tell you, but you can’t say anything, okay?” Her voice lowers. “I don’t want to betray Dameon’s trust. Or James’s, for that matter.”
“I promise; my lips are sealed,” I assure her.
“Apparently, Mia really wanted him to propose, so she tried to trap him by getting pregnant, even though she knew Dameon didn’t want kids.” Cora’s voice is tinged with disbelief. “When she couldn’t conceive, she faked her pregnancy. And then, when she couldn’t hide it any longer and came clean, he broke up with her. He was furious, as you can imagine. Learning that the person you love and trust the most could do something like that? It’s messed up.”
I’m utterly dumbfounded. My heart goes out to Dameon, truly, but I can’t get over the audacity of Mia’s behavior. How could someone even think of faking a pregnancy? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s not like she could keep up the lie forever; it’s bound to unravel eventually… in nine months, to be exact.
“Wow,” I mutter, shaking my head.
“I know, right? And then she has the balls to go to the media to ruin him.”
“Oh, this part I know,” I say. Poor guy. That’s fucked up. No wonder he requires absolute control in a relationship.
The guys return to the deck, bringing an end to our gossip session.
“Look who we found,” Dameon announces, slapping the back of none other than Carter Ashford. Carter’s arm is casually draped over the shoulders of Blaire, the goddess who served him at Eden. She’s positively glowing with happiness, basking in his presence.
“Hey, you’re from Eden, right?” Carter addresses me.
“Sure am. We all are,” I reply, nodding toward Chloe as she joins us, followed by Dr. Zac, who wraps an arm around her waist and rests his chin on top of her head.
“Well… except for Cora,” I add, flashing a playful grin in her direction. “She left us for her knight in shining armor.” I bat my eyelashes at her.
“Not true! I just couldn’t see myself submitting to anyone else,” Cora pouts, but James quickly wraps his arm around her neck, drawing her close. “Damn straight,” he murmurs against her lips.
“Speaking of, I said strip, goddess… that means everything.” Dameon reaches around my body and pulls the string of my bikini top until it falls away, leaving my breasts exposed. All eyes fall to my chest, and my nipples bead into hard tips, and not just from the cool breeze. Dameon dusts his thumbs over them lightly. “That’s better,” he says, locking eyes with me as he takes a seat beside me on the U-shaped lounge. The waters of the harbor sway and roll around us, but I’m hypnotized by the depth of his blue-green eyes.
“One for all, and all for one!” Cora interrupts our moment, her voice filled with playful mischief as she swiftly removes her bikini top. Chloe and Blair follow suit in quick succession.
“These too,” James chimes in, flicking at Cora’s bikini bottoms. The three of us comply, slipping out of the skimpy fabric.
“Much better.” Dameon never takes his eyes off my body. The rest of the group join us on the lounge, and I’ve never felt more comfortable in my own skin than at this moment, surrounded by these people. It feels completely natural, as if this is exactly where I’m meant to be right now.
“How’s the leg feeling?” Zac asks, indicating to my thigh. It’s been two weeks since the attack, and it’s healing up nicely. The stitches have dissolved, leaving behind a raw pink line that will eventually fade to white as it scars.
“Much better now, thank you. It’s all healed up,” I reply, offering a grateful smile. The lines around his eyes crinkle as he dips his head.
Chelsea emerges from the galley and serves each of the men a crystal tumbler filled with two fingers of amber liquid. Her presence catches me off guard, yet there’s a small sense of relief in knowing she’s the one serving us. She’s completely unfazed by our nakedness.
My pink cocktail is long forgotten; it was way too sweet for my taste buds to endure.
“Is this the good stuff?” Carter asks, taking a sip.
“Yep, from my personal stash,” James confirms.
Carter groans in satisfaction. “Fuck yeah.”
“You know what would make this whiskey even better?” James turns to Cora.
“What’s that?” Her teeth sink into her lower lip, but he gently pulls it away with his thumb.
“Your sweet lips wrapped around my cock.” Her eyelids drop to half-mast.
“Mmm, sounds like a fantastic idea to me. On your knees, goddess,” Zac instructs Chloe. She gracefully sinks to her knees between his spread legs.
“You too,” Carter prompts Blaire. She still wears that look of bewilderment, as if she can’t believe she’s actually here with Carter Ashford . I suppress a snicker. It must get old for him, constantly seeing that look on women’s faces. Blaire drops to her knees and I start to follow suit, but Dameon stops me with a gentle hand on my forearm.
“Not you, kitten,” he whispers in my ear. “Not with your leg.” He lifts me up by the hips and settles me on his lap. “Let’s give them a show, something to watch while they’re getting their dicks sucked.” He bends my knees and parts my legs, resting them on his own spread knees, leaving me open wide. James, Carter, and Zac’s eyes immediately zero in on my pussy. He lightly drags his fingers up and down my inner thighs, sending shivers dancing down my spine before parting my lower lips to give them a full view. Carter groans at the sight, and Zac tightens his grip on Chloe’s hair. Meanwhile, Cora snickers around James’s balls.
“Play with yourself, kitten.”
I slide my hand to the apex of my thighs, gathering the wetness and spreading it around my clit. I’m dripping wet, and I can’t contain the whimper that escapes my lips.
“That’s it, gorgeous.” His voice is a low growl in my ear. “Show them how you play with my pussy.” I continue to circle my clit, before plunging two fingers deep inside and curling them to hit that sweet spot on my inner wall. I writhe in Dameon’s lap, making him as hard as granite beneath me. His hands roam over my breasts, massaging and pinching my nipples, sending sharp jolts of pain through my body, leaving me breathless with need. Watching the girls moan in pleasure as they bob their heads on their shafts, hearing the men’s grunts as they sip their whiskey, all the while never taking their eyes off my pussy being worked over by my hands, sends me careening to the edge.
“That’s my girl, you can come.” His praise sends me straight over the edge of the cliff, and I crash hard at the bottom, with no safety net to catch me. My back arches off Dameon’s lap, and I scrunch my eyes shut, bracing for the dizzying freefall.
Dameon easily lifts me as if I weigh nothing and flips me upside down, placing my legs up the back of the couch and my head hanging off the seat. The sudden movement leaves me shaky, but when he grasps my head and nudges his cock against my lips, I regain my composure enough to open my mouth.
He thrusts inside, fucking my face with urgency. I focus on relaxing my jaw, allowing him to slide deeper down my throat in this position. Around me, I hear a chorus of moans and grunts, signaling Zac, James, and Carter coming down the girls’ throats. Dameon follows shortly behind with a shout, his release erupting down my throat, spilling out of the corners of my mouth and running down my cheeks. When he pulls out, I gasp for breath, trying to recover before Dameon spins me around once again.
“That definitely improved the whiskey,” James quips.
“You okay?” Dameon’s voice is soft, checking in with me. Nodding my head, I smile.
“Good, because we’re just getting started, kitten.” Those beautiful dimples of his strike me hard in the chest.
I force the smile to stay on my lips, but Cora’s words linger. A practice run. I push the hurt down, burying it where it won’t show. I’m just doing my job. But pretending that’s enough is getting harder every day.