Chapter 1 #2
She has a tattoo running down her spine, a flower with words forming the stem.
The sudden urge to trace it with my tongue overwhelms me before she pulls her wetsuit up and covers her body.
Her back is muscular, but not excessive, just the perfect amount to suggest she works out for fun and health rather than bulk.
Lyla Mier, head of one of the departments, pulls my attention away as she explains why the team going into the tank is in full body scuba wetsuits.
My gaze returns to my girl, and I watch her braid her multi-toned medium blond hair.
The colors look like a blend of ash and gold under the bright lights of the platform.
She slips her hood up, covering her hair after she has her mask on.
I watch her move with confidence as a guy helps her get the scuba tank on.
Again, I’m hit with a sudden emotion. Jealousy this time. I’ve never experienced this, not even with my ex. I want to rip the guy’s hands from his body for touching her.
She walks to the edge of the tank and waits until she’s directed to drop in. Enchanted, I watch the real-life mermaid in front of me as she helps guide the sea turtle into another area of the tank.
Moving through the crowd of board members, I step toward Lyla as the team emerges from the water.
The same guy helps my girl out of her gear.
Then she unzips her wetsuit, exposing her back again.
When she turns, I finally get an unimpeded view of her front.
She has the biggest grin on her sweet face.
She’s a breathtaking beauty with a trim nose, narrow cheeks, and full lips.
Her brows are darker than her hair, and her eyes are a bright green I can see even from this distance.
She has more tattoos on her arms, and a flash of light catches a piercing in her belly button and another in her nose.
The world completely stops around me. I’m focused on her as if she’s all that exists. My feet are planted in place as my eyes devour her. When she turns and catches me looking, she blushes and drops her gaze. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, and a complete submission to me.
One word keeps repeating in my head.
Mine.
“May I ask who that is?” I point toward my beauty.
Lyla follows my gesture, then looks back up at me with a smile.
“Mr. Boseman, that is our newest employee and a member of my team. We brought her in from Atlanta, where they were unable to use Daphne to her full potential. I’ve just started cross-training her with our river otter team,” she says.
It confirms what I already know deep down. She’s not only intelligent but hardworking.
“Daphne,” I say her name like a prayer on my tongue. It fits the enchanting woman.
“Yes. Daphne Placer.”
“Thank you. She will be at the Regents Gala, correct?”
“Well, usually senior aquarists don’t attend, but if you want, I’ll make sure she’s there. She’d be a perfect example of the direction we want to take with the aquarium.”
“Perfect.” I pull out my phone and send a quick text to my assistant.
Me
I want a deep dive on one Daphne Placer. Find out everything you can. If you need to, get a hold of my friends. I authorize their involvement.
He’ll know who I mean.
Jethro
On it, sir. Financials?
Me
Everything. Including personal relationships.
Jethro
Okay.
I slip my phone back into my pocket as Lyla introduces the board members to the team. I walk straight over to Daphne.
“Hello, I’m Darrell Boseman.” I hold out my hand for her to take.
She looks down at it before slipping her hand into mine. She gasps at the contact and tries to pull free, but I hold fast. A jolt runs up my arm and seizes my heart.
I remember my father telling me years ago, before he died, that he knew the moment he saw my mom that she was his. It only took one touch for her fate to be sealed. And my little Daphne just did the same thing.
She will be mine. I’ll take care of everything for her for the rest of our lives.
“Um, please let my hand go, Mr. Boseman.” Daphne tries to pull away again, but I pull her closer to me.
“Never,” I murmur, and her eyes flare wide.
“I’m going to get you wet.” She tries to step back, but I keep a hold of her.
I lean down into her space and whisper in her ear. “Baby, I want to get you wet for me.”
She gasps, and I watch the flush spread down her body. The urge to shield her from view is so strong that I step in front of her, blocking her from sight.
“Did I shock you?”
“Please let me go.” She looks up at me through thick lashes.
I fight the need to kiss her. If I get my lips on her, I won’t stop.
“For now.” I let her hand go, but she doesn’t step back right away. She feels this connection too.
“Daph, ready?” a woman asks her.
Daphne still doesn’t break eye contact with me. Her little tongue peeks out, sliding against her full bottom lip before she presses it to the top one. I groan, and it breaks the connection.
She steps back and turns away. I watch her head for the locker room, silently willing her to stop and turn back around. She glances over her shoulder with a soft grin, and I’m hooked, cooked, and ready for her.
“Mr. Boseman, are you ready?” Lyla asks.
I wait until Daphne is out of sight before turning my attention to Ms. Mier.
“Now I’m ready,” I say, my voice carrying a hint of conceit.
I’m a catch, I know it. I’m rich, good-looking, and plenty of other things women tend to want. But I know it’s going to take more than that to get Daphne’s attention.