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I bristle, my irritation surging. I don't expect my men to check with me before every step they take, but the fact that Dimitri is gone is news to me. Of course, he isn’t here when I need him.
"What lead?" I demand, turning back to glare at Jovich for not telling me sooner.
"Some guy who claims that he knows where we can find Nyanik." Jovich shrugs. "You’ll be the first to know once we've got something solid."
I study his face for a moment, wondering why he had stated the obvious. Of course, I’ll be the first he tells. "Good.” I say slowly. “Have we heard anything from Jack?"
"Jack?" He doesn't bother trying to hide his confusion.
"I asked him to look into Claire for me." I wave a dismissive hand. "If you find anything out, text me. I'll be out for a while. Rhea has a guest, so keep an ear out and don't let my sister leave the house."
Jovich nods, assuring me it will be handled. I open the door just in time to see Claire walking out of her room, wearing a thin white dress that flows around her and yet still offers me a perfect view of the parts of her body that aren't covered by the swimsuit beneath it. "Is this okay?" She asks, pulling at the fabric.
"It's perfect," I tell her honestly. I couldn't care less about the dress. In fact, I'd prefer her without it. And without the bikini, while we’re at it. My cock hardens at the thought of tugging at the string behind her neck so that her soft breasts tumble free. I could push her into my room right now and finish what we started last night. A large part of me wants to do just that, but I ignore it. I have other plans for her first.
That delicious pink heat rises up on her cheeks, and I realize I've been staring a little too long. I clear my throat. "I had Elaine prepare a bag for us, so no need to worry about anything."
"Elaine is pretty amazing." She smiles.
"I agree."
I reluctantly tear my gaze from her body and lead her down the stairs. She hesitates at the bottom, preparing to go to the front door, while I turn toward the back porch. "Is it walking distance?"
"No." I laugh but don't stop. I’m testing her again, seeing if she’ll follow me into the unknown. After a moment, she catches up to me.
Without turning back to look at her, I can tell there are many things she wants to ask me. I feel the same about her. But we walk in silence as she follows me to the corner of the property, away from the beach.
She follows me obediently between the trees and onto the boardwalk tucked away in my yard. From the house, you'd never know it was there.
The sun darkens as we walk further away from the house and the trees become thicker as we venture deeper into them. Stray limbs start to bow over the path overhead. I make a mental note to get someone to trim them up.
The boardwalk is one of my favorite places to go. It’s a treasure trove of unparalleled peace, which is hard to come by in my line of work. It also happens to lead out to my other favorite place to be.
We walk in silence, until I turn back and laugh. Claire’s lips are pushed together like she’s working hard to keep them shut, and her eyes are wide. She looks ready to run the other way.
"Are you scared?"
"No." She scoffs. "I know you aren't going to murder me, because if you do, you'll have to deal with Rhea."
"You’re not wrong." I tell her, turning back to the path ahead.
Murder isn't on the agenda today… not for Claire, at least. I don't want her blood or her life. I just want answers. "Watch your step." I warn as the dock starts to dip.
The trees fall away, and the dock opens up so that we can see the catamaran sitting at the end of it. "You have a boat?" Claire asks. The way she says it sounds like she’s surprised, as if it’s something exotic like a pet tiger.
I stifle my amusement and turn to see the apprehensive look on her face. "Never been on a boat before?" I guess.
"No." She laughs. "Apparently, I haven't done anything before."
I could change that if she'll let me. We’re from two different worlds, but here we are all the same. I like having her as part of mine, even if I haven't figured out how she fits into it. But I still have to get to the bottom of who she really is and whether it’s all an act before I let her infiltrate any deeper. She’s already taken over most of my waking thoughts, and I constantly find my eyes drawn to her like she’s a magnet for them. If it turns out she’s got an ulterior motive to her friendship with my sister or her presence here, she’ll live just long enough to regret it. Part of me hopes that she does so I won’t feel guilty for not pushing her away as I should.
"Well, let's hope you don't get seasick." I quip, bracing myself against the dock and hopping over the seat. I turn back and offer her a hand, which she takes and uses to pull herself into the boat with me. She tumbles onto the deck, and I catch her against my chest. I feel her entire body freeze for a moment as she gathers her balance and then glances up at me tentatively.
Her eyes are like an ocean on a cloudless day... deep, clear, and enchanting.
Claire Monroe is beautiful, sure. I've known plenty of beautiful women. Women with thick lashes, full lips that can work their way around my cock like it’s a treat for them. Women with sumptuous asses and accents that make my name sound like a prayer when they scream it. I don't discriminate, and I've indulged in women of every ethnicity, some of which were simple in their beauty, and others whose looks seems to captivate every man she lays eyes upon. And yet, none of them have ever gotten under my skin the way that Claire has. I've never craved any of them with the intensity that I crave her, an admission that’s both thrilling and terrifying. Even before all this, in what feels like a past life, when I loved Monica so deeply that I’d wanted to marry her and live happily ever after, I hadn’t felt this inexplicable need to consume her.
Claire bites her lip, and I have to force down the desire to take it between my teeth and do the same. I don't want to scare her off just yet.
