“It’s early,” I said, almost choking on the words, desperate to escape. “Why don’t you clean up while I unpack and get us settled.”
She blinked again, and the look disappeared. I told myself I was grateful, but a part of me missed it already.
“Okay. I’ll just take a quick shower. Maybe I can take a nap before we head out for the day.”
“Sounds good.”
She grabbed a few items and disappeared into the bathroom with one last look over her shoulder, like she was looking at me for the first time.
I quickly unpacked a few items and stowed our suitcases away, wishing I could shove this feeling into the drawer with our clothes. Hearing the shower running, a plan hit me. The most surefire way to make Vera look at me with annoyance again, and hopefully, take this feeling away was to press her.
I grabbed a pair of pants and headed into the bathroom. Her long limbs and slick skin had me hardening instantly. I tracked the water, sliding down her body, across her pert nipples, and between her legs. God, I wanted to storm in there, pick her up and shove inside her, putting us both out of our misery. Her body was a work of art, and I wanted to study every inch—with my tongue.
I stripped and waited for her to notice me, but she closed her eyes and rinsed her hair, letting out a yelp when I announced my presence.
“What the fuck, Nico?” she screeched and struggled to cover her body.
Infusing arrogance into action, I slowly cocked a brow and looked her up and down. “I’ve seen it all before, Verana. Why hide?”
Instead of answering, she lifted her chin and glowered, doing her best not to look me up and down as well.
“I was ready to shower now, so why wait?”
“Because I’m in here.”
“So? You’re my wife.”
I hit a button with that comment, and she dropped her arms, stepping close. “So? It doesn’t mean you get me whenever you want.”
I stepped into her too, groaning when the head of my cock brushed her stomach. She gasped but didn’t pull away. “Are you sure about that, Verana?” I asked, brushing her slick hair back from her forehead. “Would you like me to jack off for you again?”
She scoffed but didn’t say no.
“Don’t think I couldn’t hear your little pants of need. Hell, I could smell your sweet arousal. It reminded me of how delicious your pussy is.” She swallowed, and my lips quirked up, and I leaned closer. “I could drop to my knees right now, lift your thigh over my shoulder, and eat your sweet cunt. I’d love nothing more than to bury my tongue inside you and flick your clit. Best fucking breakfast ever.”
I ran my nose along her cheek, moving to nip at her ear.
“Five years is a long time, Verana. Just give in.”
And that snapped her out of it. She stepped back, and I watched her struggle to harden against the desire flooding her body.
“No.” With that, she quickly rinsed off and left, snagging a towel on her way.
“You can run, Verana, but we both know you want it as much as I do.”
She glared over her shoulder. “Fuck you, Nicholas.”
I laughed at her frustration, feeling a little lighter, with most of the warmth gone. But worried because some still lingered, digging in deep to places I never knew existed.
When I got out of the shower, I found Vera curled up on the edge of the bed, already passed out. I even whispered her name to make sure she wasn’t feigning sleep. But when I removed her phone from her nightstand, she still didn’t move a muscle.
I quickly guessed her password for her phone and connected it to the USB Xander gave me. The program would keep her phone looking like it was working but block any news and calls from her father and their company. Two weeks was what I needed to complete the takeover, and if she knew what was going on while we were gone, she’d turn us around before I could hit go.
I sat the phone back down and plugged it in just as it was. Slowly shutting the door, I watched for any movement from her and hit Archer’s number.
“The shares just went through,” he greeted, not bothering with niceties. We’d worked together so long, there was no need.
“Good. Has anyone been alerted?”
“Not that I can tell. I had to do some digging in the records, but the clause states that once she is married, they are hers, free of anyone else’s control.”
I’d been acquiring shares of Mariano Shipping for years. Small bits here and there through various shell companies as I didn’t want to raise any red flags, but it had never been enough. At least it hadn’t until Verana fell into my lap with just enough to her name to put me over the edge. With her portion now mine, and Mariano Shipping scrambling silently with finances, I had everything I needed to put it in motion.