Chapter 27
“I didn’t think this through.” ~ Eli
Eli
Paisley opens her door and I drink her in. I thought the dress she wore to the fundraiser couldn’t be topped. I was wrong.
The deep V of this dress dips to her waist revealing a tantalizing trail of naked skin. While the skirt of the dress is loose and flowing, it also has a slit that reaches past her hip.
There is no way she’s wearing a bra or panties underneath this dress. I growl. “Tell me you’re wearing underwear under this dress.”
She blinks. “I’m wearing underwear under this dress.”
She’s clearly lying. My cock hardens and lengthens as I imagine removing her dress and revealing her naked body. She can keep those sexy stilettos on, though. The gouges they’ll cause in my back will be worth it.
“You’re lying.”
“You made me.”
“Are you trying to torture me? ”
I wrap an arm around her to draw her near but pause when I touch bare skin. I whirl her around to investigate. Her back is completely bare. My cock pulses in my pants. I want to lavish kisses on her back while I pound into her from behind.
Paisley bats her eyelashes. “Do you not approve of my dress?”
“I’m going to spend the evening fighting off men.”
She snorts. “This is Smuggler’s Hideaway. The men on this island have ignored me for the past ten years. I think you’re good.”
“What about the tourists?”
“Tonight is the dance to announce the sexiest man on the island. The tourists are mostly women.” She rakes her gaze over me. “I’m the one who’ll be spending the evening fighting off women.”
I run a hand down my front. “You approve of my tux?”
She shrugs. “It’s a bit over the top. Most men wear suits. Some men wear shorts and flip-flops.”
“I don’t mind sticking out.” I wink.
She nods to my hard cock. “You’re sticking out now.”
“It’s your fault.”
“You growled those words but I believe it’s a compliment.”
Honk! Honk!
Paisley glances around me. “This limo is even larger than the last one. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re trying to compensate for a shorter size elsewhere. ”
I wrap my arms around her and pull her near – making sure to press my hard length against her. “You can feel I don’t have to compensate.”
“Which is what I said.” She smiles and her hazel eyes sparkle with joy.
My gaze catches on those pretty pink lips. They’re currently painted a deep red to match her dress.
“How mad will you be if I destroy your lipstick?”
Her breath hitches. “Lipstick can be repaired.”
At her invitation, I press my lips to hers. She tastes of strawberries today – probably from her lipstick – but her exotic taste can’t be masked. I moan and thrust my tongue into her mouth.
“If you’re going to have sex, we’re going on without you!” Chloe shouts and Paisley yanks away from me.
“Why is…” She trails off when Sophia waves at her from where she’s sticking out of the sunroof of the limo. “Did you invite all of my friends?”
“I could hardly invite Chloe and Sophia without Nova and Maya.”
“Thus, the supersized limo.”
“We could do as Chloe suggests. Go inside and have sex while they go to the party.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
She bites her bottom lip as she contemplates my question. “Are you serious?”
I was joking but now I’m not. I grasp her hand and start to maneuver her inside. She refuses to budge .
“I haven’t missed an end of the summer party on Smuggler’s Hideaway since I returned from college. I’m not about to miss one to have sex with you.”
“I’ll make it worth your while.”
She kisses my nose. “You’ll make it worth my while when we return home from the party.”
I shrug. It was worth a try. I offer her my elbow. “Ready?”
She threads her arm through mine and I guide her down the sidewalk to the limo. The door flies open before we get there.
“You owe me ten bucks,” Sophia says.
“If you bet I’d skip the party to have sex with Eli, it’s your own fault,” Paisley tells her.
“You were practically glued to each other. I thought it was a sure thing.”
“Speaking of glued to each other.” Nova points to her mouth. “Your lipstick needs refreshing. Both of you.”
Smug satisfaction fills me. I love wearing proof Paisley can’t keep her hands off of me.
We settle in the limo and the driver starts toward the party.
“I’m glad you nabbed a billionaire. I’ve never been in a limo before. There’s a bar.” Chloe pops open the refrigerator. “Who wants a shot of whiskey?”
Maya shakes her head. “No thanks.”
“Are you feeling nauseous?” Paisley asks.
Caleb scowls. “She’s always feeling nauseous. We should have stayed home.”
Maya glares at him. “I’m pregnant. I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions. ”
He sighs. “It’s hard to watch the person I can’t live without throw up multiple times a day.”
Maya softens. “It’ll get better in the second trimester.”
“In the meantime.” Paisley hands her a candy. “Ginger will help.”
Maya pops the candy in her mouth. “Thanks.”
“I’ll take one,” Chloe says.
“Is there something you need to tell me, Wildcat?” Lucas asks.
She pats his chest. “I’m not pregnant. But I want to try ginger candy for nausea due to a hangover.”
“Are you planning on having a hangover?”
She shrugs. “I don’t plan on them. They just happen. It’s inexplicable.”
He nods to the whiskey. “Hard to figure out why you have hangovers.”
Chloe lifts the bottle into the air. “Who’s in for shots?”
Nova raises her hand. “I am.”
Hudson growls, “Sunshine.”
She shoves her palm in his face. “Don’t you dare sunshine me. I pumped all day today so I could drink tonight.”
“Did you mark the breast milk this time?”
“Stop being a baby. You’re not going to die because you drank some of my breast milk.”
Sophia barks out a laugh. “I need to hear this story.”
The limo comes to a stop in front of the entrance to Hideaway Haven Resort .
“Did you sponsor the party?” I ask Hudson as we exit the limo since he owns the resort.
He grunts in response.
“Grunting is a yes by the way,” Nova says.
I grasp Paisley’s hand. “In case I forgot to tell you, you look beautiful tonight.”
Her cheeks flush. “Thank you.”
I squeeze her hand. “Is everyone ready?” I ask the group before leading them inside the resort and to the ballroom.
The ballroom is decorated in true Smuggler’s Hideaway style. The tables are covered in shimmering blue, teal, and iridescent tablecloths to mimic ocean waves. Pearls, driftwood, and seashells serve as centerpieces. Old whiskey barrels, mini wooden crates filled with vintage-style rum bottles, and antique lanterns are scattered around the room. Nautical fishing nets have been draped over the ceiling and intertwined with twinkle lights.
“The mayor is making a beeline toward us. I’m getting a drink.” Flynn hurries away.
“You don’t have to be afraid of her. She doesn’t actually want to be in a polyamorous relationship with you. She’s teasing you,” Sophia shouts as she chases him.
The rest of our friends hurry after them. I wait for the mayor since Buccaneer’s Whiskey is sponsoring the event.
“Good,” Lana says when she reaches us. “You’re here.”
“How can I help?” Assuming I can help, I left most of the arrangements for the sponsorship with my assistant. I scan the crowd but I don’t see Dakota anywhere .
“I need you backstage.”
My brow furrows. “Backstage?”
“It’s where the finalists wait until the results of the election are announced.”
“I didn’t agree to announce the winners.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re not announcing. You are the winner.” Her eyes widen and she steps closer. “Sorry. The winner is supposed to be top secret.”
Paisley tries to tug her hand from mine. “I’ll join my friends.”
I tighten my hold to stop her from escaping. “You’re not going anywhere because I’m not doing this.”
Lana huffs. “But you were voted the sexiest man on the island.”
“I don’t give a shit.”
She motions to the room. “Why did you sponsor all of this if you’re going to ruin the event?”
“I’m not ruining the event. I’m merely refusing to participate.”
The finalists in the sexiest man on the island competition are auctioned off to the highest bidder. The prize is a date with the finalist. No way am I going on a date with any other woman than Paisley. And I refuse to be auctioned off like a piece of meat.
“But then we’ll be short one man. The proceeds of the auction are important for the town.”
“Send me an invoice. I’ll pay for whatever Smuggler’s Rest needs but I won’t be auctioned off.”
“It’s a good cause,” Paisley says .
“Do you want me to go out on a date with another woman?”
“No, but maybe I’ll win the auction.”
“And maybe your sister will win.”
She recoils and I immediately regret my words. “I’m sorry. I’m an asshole.”
“It’s okay.”
I palm her neck and squeeze. “No, it’s not. Considering what happened with your ex and Darcy, I should know better. I’m sorry.”
I touch my lips to hers. The kiss is entirely too brief. But I’m weak when it comes to her. If I meld my lips to hers, I’ll be banging her in the women’s restroom in no time.
Lana sighs. “I love love. I can’t cause an issue between young lovers. I’ll find a replacement.”
She bustles away and I blow out a breath. “I thought you were going to have to sneak me out of here for a minute there.”
Paisley smiles. “You didn’t but I’d sneak you out.”
“Will you hide me under your dress?” I waggle my eyebrows.
“You’re a bad boy, Eli Raider.”
“I’m your bad boy.”
“And my sister isn’t stealing you away.”
“No one’s stealing me away.”
Because Paisley is mine. Maybe not forever. But for as long as she stays, she’s mine.