Page 63 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Surgeon

Paolo

First, we stopped off at the MINI Cooper dealership and I bought her a metallic blue convertible. After making arrangements to have it delivered the next day, we drove down to the private beach area I had access to thanks to the Salazar family. They almost never used the large stretch of beach in front of the several huge beach ‘cottages’ they owned. I had been meaning to buy my own beachfront property but hadn’t gotten around to it. Besides, with access to the Salazar’s property did I really need my own? We walked down the boardwalk hand in hand and made our way to the large party area the Salazar’s had ready to go at a moment’s notice. Most of it was covered from the weather, but it did include an expansive pergola, under which we laid our blankets and towels. It was partially covered, of course, but still let in a nice amount of sun.

“This is great, huh?”

“It really is,” she said, holding on to her beach hat as the breeze picked up. Seagulls flew all around, hoping for crusts of bread or other leftovers from a meal.

I loved the sounds and smells of the beach. I laid back, putting my hands under my head and stretching out. “I could go to sleep out here.”

“You’re comfortable at the beach then.”

“Yes. The home I grew up in is in the province of Foggia, which has coastal regions. Our villa is right off the Gargano coast. So, as a kid, we went there all the time. Then when I went to boarding school with Nico and Reynolds, they broughtByron and me here during holidays. I probably went to the beach ten times a year most years. What about you?”

“Never.”

I frowned and stared at her. “What do you mean ‘never?’”

“My grandparents thought swimsuits showed too much skin. The only time I went swimming was when I stayed over with Nadine and her mama would take us to the city pool. I’d borrow one of her swimsuits. But none of us ever went to the beach. It wasn’t even far away, but,” I shrugged, “it felt like a million miles to me.”

I thought that was sad. It highlighted some of the differences between us. “I wish we would have been friends. I would have come and gotten you and taken you with us.” I reached for her hand.

“That’s super sweet but I would’ve been like five when you were fifteen. I’m thinking you wouldn’t have wanted to be saddled with me.”

I laughed. “Yeah, maybe not. Which do you want to do first, go swimming or eat lunch?”

“What are we going to eat for lunch?” She looked surprised.

I grinned and pointed to a pier about a mile away. “There’s a permanent food truck on the pier. They have lobster and shrimp rolls, fried shrimp, fish tacos, whatever you want.”

“Wow, that sounds delicious.”

She looked so excited it was hard to believe it was the same sarcastic Jelly I’d gotten so used to being around.

“Yeah, it’s pretty great. And we can get margaritas, beer, or wine, too.”

“Mmm. Sounds wonderful. But I’m still full from breakfast. Why don’t we get in the water?” She stood up and pulled her cover up over her head. My mouth immediately went dry. She had the kind of body that swimsuit models had. They were skinny everywhere except with big tits and a plump ass. I’d figured that women like that didn’t exist without some sort of augmentation, but Jellyproved me wrong.

“Goddamn, you look good.” I pulled her into me for a hug where my hands may or may not have ended up cupping her delectable ass.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” she said, running a finger lightly from between my pecs down to the top of my swim shorts. I shuddered slightly.

She suddenly turned and ran from me, and I enjoyed the view. Her ass jiggled just the right amount. I chased after her without the real desire to catch up. I couldn’t quit staring at her perfection.

She stopped as she reached the surf and turned around, eyes wide. “When you say ‘go swimming’ do you actually mean to swim in the ocean? Or was that code for splash around in the shallow water until we get tired?”

I laughed. “I meant swim, baby. You don’t want to swim in the ocean?”

She looked scandalized. “You’ve heard of sharks before, right?”

“They’re pretty rare…”

“I’m sure they’re out there just waiting to bite my leg off right now.”

“Will you feel safe walking out there with me?”

She gave me a look. “Have you ever had hand to hand combat with a shark and won?”

“Um… is that a real question?”