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“How old do you think I am?”
“It’s not that. I mean, I can’t believe she’d turn you down for a reason like that,” Piper explained. “You two are involved, aren’t you? A little May-December romance?”
“No, but I wouldn’t mind it,” Sasha said.
“But she’s kind of ... well ... I mean, she’s kind of lar—”
“Be careful, Piper. Back off Mrs. Best or I’ll kick your scrawny—”
“Time for a break!” Dirk squealed.
Someone in the control booth wised up and cut off Sasha’s and Piper’s microphones. The camera zoomed in on Dirk’s shining face. Jada could still hear Sasha and Piper arguing in the background, but couldn’t make out the words.
“Before we go to commercial,” Dirk added, “I want to send a shout out to CGTV’s new owner, Buckley Holdings. It’s our three-month anniversary, and all of us at CGTV want to say how wonderful it’s been working with the fine people at Buckley. We’re proud to be part of the family, aren’t we, Piper-girl?”
He turned his head, then quickly turned back to the camera, a comical, startled expression on his face. “She’s a little busy right now. But I know she feels the same way I do. So, thanks for everything, Buckley Holdings, from Drunk Knightly, I mean, Dirk Knightly. Oh for gawd’s sake. Go to commercial already.”
They did.
Jada laughed as Ian turned off the television. “Had enough?”
“Definitely.”
“I thought it went pretty well,” Jada said. “My mother and Marina are going to love it. Mom will have cachet with her RV pals for years. Are you going to fine Piper for the spat at the end?”
“Probably not. She and Sasha did about as well as could be expected,” he said.
Jada kissed him on the jaw. “You’re so wise. And kind, too, letting Piper stay on after you bought the network.”
“You know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
A quiet knock sounded on the door and Ian called come in.
Elly poked her head around the door. “It’s me. Bedtime. I’ve come for Ms. Kitty. Come on, sweet baby,” she called to the cat who had perked up when she heard Elly’s voice.
Ms. Kitty nudged Jada’s hand in farewell before trotting away, tail high.
“Anything I can get you before I turn in?” Elly asked.
“No, thank you,” Jada said.
Goodnights were exchanged, and Elly closed the door behind herself and Ms. Kitty.
Jada took the nearly empty bowl of popcorn and set it on the night stand, then she slipped back under Ian’s arm, tucking her head in beneath his chin. He nuzzled her hair. She enjoyed the gentle swaying of the yacht on calm waters.
“You don’t think Sullivan minds having to run Buckley Holdings, do you?” Jada asked.
“No. He’s been itching to have it all to himself for a long time,” Ian answered.
“Do you miss it?”
“Nope. I think I was finished with that part of my life long before I met you. I just hadn’t realized it yet,” Ian said.
“I love not knowing where we’re headed, what we’re going to do next. Everything is open.”
“I love it, too.”
“So where are headed tomorrow?” Jada asked, enjoying the contradiction.
She heard the smile in his voice. “You pick. Monaco or Corsica?”
“Corsica. Definitely.”
“I’ll tell the captain.”
“Have you ever been to Corsica?”
“I haven’t.”
“I’m glad,” Jada said. “It’ll be new for both of us.”
“Everything is new with you at my side.”
“That’s so sweet,” she said, pulling back and looking at his dear face. “Turn off the lights. I want to rip your clothes off and have my way with you.”
“No way. The lights stay on, I rip your clothes off, and I have my way with you.” A sexy depth underscored his voice and desire gleamed in his eyes.
She shivered. “But I just bought this nightgown. Don’t rip it. It’s delicate.”
In a slick motion, he climbed over her, straddling her hips. He traced the top edge of her frilly lingerie with his fingertip. “So silky. Your skin, not the gown.”
“My gown has buttons,” Jada pointed out, deliciously shivery. “You don’t have to—”
Ian gave her his baddest, lustiest look. “Oh, but I do. I don’t have time to undo all those tiny things. I’m too impatient.”
“Ian, you’re so ...” she couldn’t finish.
Rrrriiiiippp. Tiny pearl buttons shot over the bedding then Ian lowered his head to claim his naked prize.
Jada couldn’t believe he’d actually done it. The man had no respect for expensive lingerie. He licked a hot, wet trail over her trembling skin.
She wondered if he’d dare to rip off her panties, too.
His hands skimmed down her stomach, over her hips, his strong, thick fingers hooking under slender strands of fabric. He wasn’t, was he?
He was.
Rrrriiiiippp.
Great. She was going to have to buy new lingerie. Then his tongue followed the path his fingers had traveled, all the way down to ... happily ever after.
Oh hell ... yeah.
