Chapter 29
CASSANDRA
Cassandra senses the car slowing down after a while. When they come to a halt, she realizes they’re at a marina.
What in the world are we doing here?
José assists her out of the car, and she trails behind him down to a dock. She’s taken aback when they stop in front of a stunning gray yacht.
“José…,” she starts. “Where’s Mr. Rodriguez?”
Instead of replying, he helps her onto the yacht. He then instructs her to wait and departs.
Behind her is a white, curved couch with matching cushions, and a large flat screen that seems to reach the roof of the covered deck. It’s a gorgeous afternoon, but Cassandra is grateful for the shade from the scorching sun. To her left are glass sliding doors and a staircase, likely leading to the captain’s cabin.
Cassandra sinks into the couch and kicks off her heels. Her feet are really aching after all that shopping. She lays her head back on the couch and closes her eyes, wondering where Emilio could be.
Her eyes fly open when she feels a pair of lips on hers, but she already knows it’s him by his scent and the warmth of his body. Emilio grins at her, and Cassandra can’t help but return the smile.
He pulls her to her feet and wraps his arms around her waist, asking, “Missed me?”
“No.”
Cassandra tries to avoid his gaze, but Emilio places a finger under her chin and forces her to look at him.
“You’re a terrible liar, Cassie,” he says smoothly, stroking her cheek.
His touch sends tingles shooting through every nerve in her body.
Cassandra allows herself to lean into him, asking, “What am I doing here?”
Emilio’s hand moves to her nape, gently massaging her. Her eyes automatically close. Why does she always lose herself so easily in this man’s touch? And how does it always get better and better?
“Don’t you want to spend some time alone with your husband?”
“I do,” she murmurs.
“Our honeymoon got cut short, remember?”
Cassandra changes the subject. “Is this your yacht?”
“Yes,” he whispers into her ear.
She shivers as his hand slowly traces her spine, making her whole body burn with desire. His mouth nuzzles her hair and then her throat, and a soft moan escapes from her lips.
As if sensing that her breasts are heavy and aching for his touch, Emilio strokes her through her blouse and then moves the fabric aside. Cassandra presses herself closer, craving more. His thumb obligingly twists her nipple, and she gasps.
Bucking her hips, Cassandra can feel Emilio’s length. It makes her insides clench, makes her wet between her thighs.
“Always so responsive, Cassie… It drives me wild.”
With one of his warm hands on her waist and the other still on her breast, Cassandra greedily slips her own hands under his shirt, needing to feel every hard inch of his chest and back. She loves the fact that he is in shape.
Emilio covers her mouth with his, and she hungrily drinks him in, losing herself in his passionate kiss. Whenever this man is within touching distance, she forgets about everything and everyone; her common sense and ability to think both disappear. Nothing matters except for them and this desire they have for each other.
When Emilio’s hands reach for the buttons on her blouse, Cassandra jerks, breaking the kiss. “I can’t,” she whispers against his chest.
“Can’t what?” he asks, confused. He rests his forehead against hers so that she meets his gaze. “Don’t you want me?”
“I do, but…I’m on my period.”
Emilio pulls her into a tight embrace and lets out a frustrated groan. “How long am I gonna have to wait?” He nuzzles her hair.
“A week.”
“What?” Emilio yells. “A week? I don’t think I can wait for that long. If you said two or three days, that’d be reasonable, but a week? Cassie, we’re on our honeymoon for goodness’ sake.”
Cassandra tries to keep herself from laughing but fails. The look on his face is making it too hard.
“You think this is funny?” he growls.
“You won’t die, Emiliano.”
“I’ll be long dead before the week ends. How can I be near you and not touch you—that’s impossible, Cassie, and you know it.”
It is for her too. When she’s near him, she wants to touch him, hold him, make love to him. Waiting will be hard for her as well.
Seeing a frown between his eyebrows, Cassandra finally says, “I’m kidding. I only take three days.”
The relief she sees makes her smile. She cups his face between her hands and pulls it down for another kiss.
When they pull apart, he warns, “Don’t ever joke like that. Not making love to you is an impossibility.”
Their eyes meet and hold for what seems like forever. Eventually, Cassandra averts hers, worried Emilio will read her thoughts.
“How about a tour?” he asks, arm coming around her shoulder.
Emilio leads her inside to a living area with a curved couch, wooden table, and small bar. That room is connected to a dining area, and the sleeping cabins are downstairs. The master bedroom, complete with an en-suite, leads out onto a private deck where one could sit and enjoy an intimate morning breakfast. With modern décor and furniture everywhere, the yacht oozes luxury.
Standing in the master, Cassandra feels Emilio’s arms come around her.
“How long will this cruise be?” she asks.
“Four days,” he answers. “Don’t worry about Alex. Mother will take good care of him.”
She doesn’t doubt that. “I know. What will I be wearing since you kidnapped me so easily?”
Cassandra feels him smile at her nape. “I would very much prefer it if you walked around naked.”
“Very naughty of you, Mr. Rodriguez.”
His hands knead her breasts, and her body responds to his touch.
Hearing her moan in pleasure, Emilio murmurs, “It’s going to be a long three days.”
Cassandra swivels to face him. “I’m in agreement.”
He shivers. “Cassie, oh Cassie. You’re going to drive me to madness.”
EMILIANO
Emiliano steps back from Cassie, not trusting himself. He yearns for her, and touching her is making it too difficult to keep his control. “Can I get you anything?” he asks.
She grins at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “What I want, I can’t have right now, so I’m going to take a bath instead.” She saunters away.
“I’d love to join you,” Emiliano says, trailing after her.
“Tempting as that is, you can’t.”
“I want you so much, I don’t care.” He pulls her back into his arms, groaning, and caresses her with eager fingers. Before she can react, his lips are on hers.
Emiliano knows he should pull away, but he can’t. Cassie is driving him to distraction; her scent alone makes him crave her. Waiting for three days will be sheer torture. He can’t go another moment without touching her, without making love to her.
When Emiliano finally breaks the kiss, they’re both panting and gasping for breath. He reluctantly pulls away from her and says, “I’ll be out on the deck.”
As he leaves, Cassie heads into the bathroom, leaving Emiliano to watch her go. He can’t comprehend this intense desire he has for her. He can’t understand why he can’t keep his distance, why she’s constantly on his mind, why he can’t stop thinking about her.
He’s drawn to her, he feels possessive of her, and he doesn’t like it one bit. No woman has ever had such a grip on him, and that scares him.
When Emiliano steps onto the deck, the refreshments he requested are already there. He settles down and opens his laptop.
This lust he feels for her has to fade soon. It just has to.
He’s halfway through his emails when Cassie reappears in a floral V-neck dress that ends above her knees. Her hair is loose, cascading freely down her back, and she’s not wearing any makeup, but she’s still absolutely stunning.
The smile she gives him nearly knocks him off his feet. How can one woman be so beautiful?
Emiliano rises and, without a second thought, pulls her into his arms. He kisses her until she’s breathless.
Once she catches her breath, Cassie asks, “What was that for?”
He doesn’t know. “Do I need a reason to kiss my wife?” he counters instead of answering. “You look stunning, Cassie. I’m lucky to have you as my wife.
“You sure know how to charm when you want to.”
Cassie settles onto the couch and starts sipping her iced tea. Emiliano joins her a moment later.
“Have you eaten lunch?”
“Not yet, but I’m not really hungry.”
He leans back and pulls her into his arms, burying his face in her hair. “You didn’t eat anything last night either,” he says. “What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing,” Cassie insists. “I’m just not hungry.”
Emiliano hates that she’s not being truthful. “I know you’re not being honest with me, and I don’t understand why. You can talk to me about anything, never forget that.”
He had heard her crying in the bathroom last night, even though she had tried to mask the sound with the shower. Wondering what’s troubling her, he gently strokes her hair. “I can’t stand lies, Cassandra, and I know you won’t ever lie to me or hide things from me. Am I right?”
Cassie nods.
“See, this is why I know we’ll make this marriage work. Because we have honesty between us, and that helps us understand each other.”
