The Billionaire's Temporary Bride (Scandal, Inc #3)(62)

Charlotte glanced at Jack, his eyes behind mirrored sunglasses and the neck of his shirt open enough to show off a triangle of already slightly suntanned skin. The kind of exploring Charlotte wanted to do required no boat.

She stepped onto the dock and looked up to the villa built into the hillside. At first glance, she counted at least three small rooflines. She grabbed for her suitcase, but Jack shook his head.

"Don't even think about lifting a finger while we're here. I'll bring them all up later." Jack slung a leather overnight bag over his shoulder. "I'll take this one though. Come on, let me show you around."

He took Charlotte's hand and led her to a narrow path that cut back and forth up the hill to the house. The hillside was thick with vegetation. As they ascended, Charlotte had trouble believing this place was real.

Her first impression of the house only affirmed her disbelief. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. It wrapped around a courtyard with an infinity pool that looked out over the water. Almost every room had a view of the pool and the ocean beyond through wide open floor-to-ceiling windows. The reflections of the pool made the ceilings and walls of the house seem alive with sunlight. The whole space was so bright and open that Charlotte wasn't even sure if she should call it a house. Her first instinct, calling it a villa, seemed more accurate.

"This is all ours?" She asked.

Jack led her from room to room, until he reached the bedroom. On the far end of the room, beyond the large canopy bed, windows looked out over an unbroken expanse of ocean. French doors opened on the other side to a small patio overlooking the pool. The cathedral ceiling soared above the room, making Charlotte feel like she was in a work of art instead of a bedroom.

"For the next week, the only souls on this island will be you, me and the stray songbirds who have found their way here. Does that work for you?" Jack asked.

"You mean no elaborate dinners, no gala openings, no one to impress? I guess I can live with that." Charlotte jumped up and wrapped her legs around Jack, kissing him hard on the mouth. He took half a step backward before regaining his balance, and she smiled at him as he held her up. "It's wonderful. A week without having to pretend to be anything."

"This week, you don't have to be anything you're not, Bean," Jack said.

"Call me Bean again and the only thing I'll be is leaving on the next boat off this island."

Jack smiled.

"What's so funny?" Charlotte asked. "You don't believe me?"

"Well, in order for you to leave this island, I'd have to let you down first. Maybe I'll just keep you in my arms the entire time we're here."

"Don't make offers you don't intend to keep."

"I keep my promises," Jack said.

"We'll see about that." Charlotte couldn't help but smile back.





Half an hour later, Charlotte sat by the poolside, contemplating changing into a bathing suit. She soaked in the view while Jack unpacked their bags inside. For the first time in what felt like ages, they were truly alone. No Amy and Callie checking in on them, no families to impress, no donors to charm. It was just him and her, a long sandy beach, and nothing but time. Charlotte wondered what they'd do first.

Then Jack emerged — emerged felt like the right word — in his bathing suit. The bright, tropical light kissed his shoulders and cast shadows over the hard lines of his abs. It was really a shame he had to wear a suit all day. His current look suited him just as well. He walked over to the edge of the pool, lifted his arms above his head and dove in.

Charlotte watched him glide underwater, propelling himself across the pool with two kicks. Jack surfaced. Suddenly, Charlotte knew what she wanted.

Maybe he knew what she wanted, too. He gave her a grin and dove in again, kicking a few times underwater and propelling himself over to the edge. He propped himself up and looked out over the edge at the ocean.

"Care to join?" he called back.

Hell yes, Charlotte thought.

"I guess I could," she said. After Jack turned toward the ocean to admire the view, Charlotte decided it was time to set the tone for the week. After all, who knew when she'd be on her honeymoon again? She doubted it would be anywhere as beautiful or secluded as this.

Charlotte slipped off her shirt and stripped down to her underwear as the gentle island air kissed her stomach and the sunlight washed over her. She walked over to the edge of the pool and slid in. She stayed there for a moment, completely submerged, floating in the warm, relaxing water. She knew what she wanted to do next. Whatever tension she had left in her muscles floated away, but in its place, she felt a thrill.

She surfaced and shook her hair before swimming over to Jack. The thin fabric of her bra clung to her body. Sure, underwear wasn't all that different from a bathing suit, but it had a different meaning to her. Slowly, she swam over to Jack. When she reached him, she tapped him on the shoulder and turned him around.

"Hi," she said.

Jack was good with words. Give him enough time, and he could convince almost anyone to do almost anything. Need a bridge built, a law passed or blocked? Jack was your man. He knew how to charm and persuade, but all of Jack's speeches, all of his fundraising appeals, all of his pep talks, even his wedding vows, none of them had said as much to Charlotte as the look on his face when he turned to see her.