Page 23

Managing to give him a small smile, I was saved from having to reply when Wallace brought our breakfast through, and my mouth watered at the delicious-looking eggs royale placed in front of me.

We ate in silence, and while I kept my eyes fixed on my breakfast, I could feel Jacob’s penetrating gaze burning into me, watching every move I made. Every breath I inhaled. When he’d first watched me like that, I had found it unsettling, but I was slowly coming to enjoy it.

No one had ever given me their full attention the way Jacob did, and despite the embarrassment bubbling under my skin, I couldn’t help but subtly bask in it.

Yoga did not help settle my discomfort. Nor did the hour-long shower I took after, nor did an afternoon of sitting on the veranda, reading Pride and Prejudice while enjoying the sun on my face, the summer dress I’d changed into blowing in the gentle breeze around my knees.

Despite the uncomfortable ache living in my core, a sense of freedom descended over me as I alternated between reading the book and glancing out at sea. For once, my entire body wasn’t riddled with anxious knots as I waited for Mother to bark her orders at me.

Jacob had told me over breakfast that he was still dealing with the data breach at his company, and would be tied up for most of the morning. He appeared shortly before lunch, informing me that he was still working and would have to miss having lunch together.

I didn’t know if I was grateful for the extra time away from him so I wouldn’t constantly picture his cock, or if I was disappointed that I wouldn’t have him watching over me during another meal.

An hour before dinner was served, I headed up to the bedroom to freshen up, finding a beautiful cream dress with pink roses sewn into the material, waiting for me on the bed. Accompanying it was a pair of sandals and a note from Jacob telling me that he couldn’t wait to see me at dinner.

Excitement thrummed through my veins as I changed into the dress, admiring how pretty I looked in it. My mother insisted I always dress to impress, which usually resulted in me wearing clothes that were a size too small and were not my style at all. But the dress Jacob had picked out suited me perfectly, and the pang of resentment hiding deep in my body about him picking out my clothes faded away.

“Angel, you look beautiful,” Jacob said when I joined him in the dining room minutes before dinner was served.

He got to his feet, crossing to me, and taking my hand to kiss the back of it. Tingles traveled from my hand to my lower stomach where they whizzed around, adding to the discomfort already settled there.

“Thank you for the dress, it’s beautiful,” I replied, managing to hold his gaze without picturing him naked.

“You’re very welcome, Charlotte. Please, sit.”

He pulled out the chair for me, and as instructed, I sat, Jacob returning to his seat next to me. Less than a minute later, Wallace appeared through the door, carrying two plates, and laid them before us.

We made small talk as we ate, Jacob telling me all the things he’d had to do to prevent the data breach from happening. I didn’t understand a lot of what he said; technology had never been my strong point.

Besides, I was having difficulty concentrating. Not when I inhaled his luscious scent every time I took a deep breath, or when his gaze penetrated me as if he was seeing straight into my mind and knew that I had spent the day fantasizing about him.

When dinner was over, and Wallace cleared our plates, Jacob reached for my hand. “Will you take a walk with me, angel?”

“Of course,” I replied, hoping that fresh air would cool my heated skin.

He stood from his chair and pulled me to my feet, but he tugged a little too hard, resulting in my chest pressing against his. His hands flew to my hips to steady me, and for several seconds, I was trapped under his spell.

His eyes darted to my lips before coming back up. “Thank you for wearing the dress to dinner. You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you in the clothes I’ve chosen for you.”

I couldn’t help but grin as warmth flowed through my veins. I liked making him happy. “You’re welcome.”

“Come,” he replied, releasing my hips and taking my hand again to lead me outside.

The sun had begun its descent from the sky as Jacob guided me down the stone steps, releasing me at the bottom so we could remove our shoes before we continued walking barefoot.

Taking the same path we had the first day I was here, my heart beat hard against my ribcage, the new rhythm it had adopted whenever I was around Jacob. Trying to keep my thoughts off how gorgeous he was without his clothes on, I focused on watching my feet sink into the soft sand.

We walked in silence, but when we reached the rocks, Jacob pulled me to a halt, gently turning me to face him and tilting my chin up. “Tell me what’s wrong, angel,” he said, a hint of hurt lacing his tone. “You’ve avoided looking at me all day.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth. “There’s nothing wrong.”

His lips pursed into a thin line, and he released my chin. “Please don’t lie to me, Charlotte. I really don’t like it when you lie.”

I grimaced at his scolding, but what the hell was I supposed to say? Okay, Jacob. Since last night, all I can think about is what it would be like if you explored my body, the way I want to explore yours. Oh, and I saw you naked earlier, and since then, I’ve had an insatiable ache between my legs, which I’m pretty certain only you can relieve.

Before I could bluster my way through another lie, Jacob spoke again. “Are you embarrassed because you saw me naked?”

My body turned as still as a statue. “What? Uh…no, I…”