Page 33 of Devoured By You
“I’m not sure. Maybe I wanted to forget who I was for a while and just be me. Enjoy the company of a beautiful woman without the baggage that comes with being a member of this family.”
“Or…” She tapped her forefinger against her lips. “You thought I might be more interested if I knew you could buy the airline we were flying on.” Amusement laced her tone.
“What would ‘more interested’ have looked like?”
I was teasing her, and she knew it. “Hmm, I might have screwed you right there in the seat.”
She didn’t mean it, but my stomach somersaulted anyway. “I might have let you.”
“Might?” She snorted, and it was fucking adorable.
“You got me.”
“Is that really the reason? That you wanted to not be you?”
I nodded. “You saw the greeting we received a few minutes ago. Sometimes, I get the urge to pretend I’m someone else, to forget I’m Blaize Kingcaid, a man with a one-point-five-billion-dollar millstone around my neck.” I meant the comment to come across as flippant and meaningless, but from the concerned look on Jill’s face, I’d failed.
“That can’t be easy.”
“No.” I took a sip of wine. “I’ve had sleepless nights about this voyage, this ship, this entire venture. It has to go well.” Grimacing, I tried for a smile that refused to hold. “I have no idea why I just told you that. I haven’t even told my family how worried I’ve been. Am,” I corrected.
“It can be easier to talk to a stranger.”
I fiddled with my cuff link. “Is that what you are? A stranger? You don’t feel like a stranger.”
Her eyes darkened, lust swimming in her hazel irises. My dick responded with enthusiasm. “You don’t feel like a stranger to me, either.”
I bent my head, the touch of our lips brief but electric. Jill’s brief gasp hardened my dick the whole way. Curling my fingers around her wrist, I placed her hand on my erection.
“This is what you do to me.”
“You give me too much credit.” She sounded out of breath, as if she’d sprinted up a flight of stairs.
“I respectfully disagree.” Capturing her lips, I kissed her, my broad back shielding her from prying eyes. She kept her hand on my dick, rubbing me through my pants. I groaned into her mouth. “Carry on like that, and I’ll ruin a perfectly good suit.”
In response, she upped the pressure. My balls tightened.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Blinking at me, she gave me a coy smile. “What happened to seduction?”
“You happened.” I rose from the booth and helped her to her feet.
“Should we take the wine?”
“You won’t have time to drink it.” I led her out of the piano bar. A groan rumbled through my chest, this one far from lustful. “What the fuck now?” I muttered.
Marching toward me with her simpering assistant in tow was Scarlett, and she did not look happy.
“Mr. Kingcaid,” she hollered. “I’d like a word with you.”
“Is that…?” Jill trailed off.
“Unfortunately, yes.” I let go of Jill’s hand and made myself smile when what I really wanted to do was toss Scarlett overboard. If only I could off-load her at the first port of call. If she kept cockblocking me, I might do it, and fuck the consequences.
“Miss Rose. What can I do for you?”
She went into a tirade about overcooked steak and soggy asparagus, and no matter how much I tried to placate her, she tossed another problem at me. I’d have to be a major-league baseball player to stand a chance at batting them away.