Page 75 of How to Train Your Billionaire

I swallow hard. “I’m not so sure about that.”

His thumb moves slowly over my hand, and I’m so aware of the way it feels—his touch is both comforting and electrifying. I should pull away, distance myself, but the truth is ... I don’t want to.

“Why do I feel like you’re trying to push me away?” he murmurs, his gaze on mine so intense it makes it hard to breathe.

I open my mouth to say something, but the words don’t come. Instead, I just stare at him. And then, without thinking, I pull my hand free, moving a little closer, my breath catching in my throat.

“You’re remembering that kiss, aren’t you?” he whispers, his lips barely an inch from mine now.

I close my eyes for a moment, letting the silence stretch between us. There’s so much I could say—but instead, I just nod my head.

And before I can process what’s happening, his lips are on mine, gentle but insistent. The kiss is slow at first, as if he’s waiting for me to pull away. But I don’t. I don’t want to.

The kiss deepens, and my heart is racing now. His lips move against mine, slow and deliberate, as if he’s waiting for something. Maybe he’s waiting for me to fully give in.

But then, the sound of footsteps echoing across the deck breaks through the haze of desire. My eyes snap open just in time to see a crew member walk past, his eyes briefly flicking over us. I feel the moment like a slap in the face—too exposed, too real—and I jerk back, quickly pulling away.

I stare at Hayes, my chest heaving. His eyes are still closed for a second, as if he’s in a daze, before he opens them, locking on to mine. There’s a flash of something—disappointment, maybe? Or just surprise that I pulled back.

I swallow hard, breaking the silence between us. “I should ... I should go,” I murmur, my legs shaking, like they might give out beneath me.

Before he can say anything, I push to my feet, my heart pounding in my throat. “Good night,” I say, my voice a little too shaky. I turn and quickly head toward my cabin, not looking back. I don’t want to look back. Because if I do, I might not leave.

The hallway is cool as I slip into my room and close the door behind me. I lean against it, taking deep breaths, trying to steady myself, but I can’t. The kiss lingers on my lips. The heat of his touch is still burning through my skin.

I walk over to the bed and sit down, my mind racing, wondering what the hell just happened. This wasn’t on my radar at all, me and Hayes, but I feel like I’ve stepped off a cliff and now I have no idea how to climb back.

Then, just as I’m about to collapse onto the bed, I hear a knock. Soft. Gentle.

My heart skips a beat. I freeze, my breath catching in my chest. I don’t want to open the door, but I also don’t want to ignore it.

I stand and walk slowly to the door, hesitating for a moment before I turn the handle.

The door opens just a crack, and there he is—Hayes. His expression is different this time, softer, almost ... tentative.

“Frankie,” he says, his voice low. He steps forward, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. “I didn’t mean for things to end that way.”

I open my mouth to say something, but he doesn’t give me the chance. His hand comes up, cupping my cheek, and he kisses me again.But this time, there’s no hesitation. No space. This time, it’s all heat and need, and it’s so much more than I can handle.

My legs go weak again as he presses me back against the door, the kiss deepening, his hands moving to the buttons of my shirt. I don’t protest. I don’t want to protest. His lips trail down my neck, and my head falls back with a soft gasp. He kisses a line down to my collarbone before looking up at me, his eyes dark and intense.

“I want you,” he says, his voice barely a whisper, but it’s enough to send a thrill through my entire body.

But then, he pulls back slightly, his forehead resting against mine, his breath heaving like he just swam laps.

“Tell me to stop.” His voice is low, and his eyes are intense. There’s a vulnerability in them that catches me off guard. He’s waiting for me, asking if I want this too.

I swallow, my heart racing, and I nod. “Don’t stop,” I manage to get out, voice trembling with excitement.

He kisses me. Hard. A demanding,urgentkiss that seems to stretch on for days. Weeks. Years.

When he finally pulls back, I’m lost—sinking. I can’t speak. It seems that neither can Hayes. He just watches me with a stunned expression.

I don’t know what’s happening, but I do know it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

He leans in again, his lips capturing mine in a slow, deliberate kiss, and his hands move with purpose. I can feel every inch of him against me, the heat of his touch making every reason why we shouldn’t vanish entirely.

Without another word, he pulls my shirt off, then drops the fabric to the floor. I do the same to him, my fingers shaking as I undo his shirt, exposing the warm skin underneath. His hands are on me again, pulling me closer, as if we’re both starving for this. For each other.