Escorting the Groom (The Escort Collection 4)

"I'm basically suspending disbelief at this point." I smiled at him and accepted Davian's hand as he lifted me up to the SUV.

Lucas slid in behind me, his dimple flashing intermittently as I oohed and aahed over the island—the trees, the colorful houses, the amazing white sand beaches. "It's paradise," I said.

Lucas ran his fingers down my back, making me shiver and making me feel hot at the same time. I was never going to forget this.

I didn't ever want to forget this.

After a twenty-minute drive, Davian pulled up to an intricate wrought-iron gate and punched in a code. "The staff will be happy to see you. Everyone's excited, Mr. and Mrs. Ford. Congratulations." He smiled at us in the rearview mirror, his teeth flashing.

"Thank you, Davian." We drove down a long drive, shaded by palms, and pulled up in front of a massive estate.

"This is your home?" I asked. "Your second—no wait, your third home?" It was enormous, stone-faced, and stately. He needed to pay me more.

He shrugged. "I bought it for tax purposes."

"That's some tax bill." How much money did Lucas already have? And he'd married me so he could inherit even more? I was so asking for a raise.

We parked, and Davian held out his hand for me. But Lucas stepped in, pulling me protectively against him.

"You don't have to protect me from your driver," I teased lowly. "I promise I won't like holding anybody's hand better than yours."

He still kept me close. "I just like having you next to me. Is that okay?"

My insides warmed. "Of course it's okay."

We ascended the massive stone steps and entered the house, which was formal and imposing on the outside but warm and cheerful on the inside—thanks in large part to the smiling staff that was assembled within. "Mr. Ford!" they called. One of the women wrapped her arms around me and gave me a huge hug. "Mrs. Ford. Welcome. And congratulations."

Lucas was reserved in his gratitude toward

everyone, but I saw his dimple creeping out. He was genuinely pleased.

"Come on, now," Davian said to us after we'd been hugged and congratulated and generally fussed over. "I know Mr. Ford likes his privacy. We'll leave you two in peace, I promise. We've been here all weekend. The house has been cleaned and fully stocked. Your dinner has been prepared. You'll have the entire property to yourself in no time. Housekeeping will come back tomorrow, and you know I'm always just a text away."

Davian threw open the double doors that led to the tremendous interior courtyard and infinity pool. I marveled at the gorgeous view of the white sand beach beyond. Davian smiled at the delighted expression on my face. "Enjoy your stay, Mrs. Ford. I'll see you soon."

And with that, he was gone. Then it was just Lucas and me, his infinity pool, and the amazing view of the water.

"This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen." I felt overwhelmed.

"Do you want to swim?" Lucas sounded excited. He was already stripping out of his clothes.

"I’m going to live in this water," I said. "Are you kidding me?" The ocean back East was freezing, even in August. I'd never even seen a pool like this before, not to mention the aqua waters beyond, except in magazines and movies.

"Go grab your suit." He pulled me in for a quick, hot kiss that left me wanting more. "I'll be waiting."

I practically ran to get changed. By the time I got back, he was already in the pool, and a bottle of champagne was chilling on a table nearby. "Slowpoke," he called. I could see the chiseled lines of his chest glinting in the sun.

"I had to check out the house," I said, wading into the water. "It's amazing, Lucas. I wish we were going to live here for the whole year."

"I'm glad you like it. We can come back whenever I can get away from work." He grinned at me as I got closer, then I couldn't wait anymore—I dove underwater to close the distance between us. I sprung up when I reached him, and he yelped. And then I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, unrestrained. The strange and overwhelming feeling of unbridled happiness filled my heart.

My heart was so full just from being next to him.

He pulled me into his arms, and we waded through the pool. Then he picked me up and carried me to the beach, where I swam in the warm, turquoise waters of the Caribbean for the first time in my life.

LUCAS

We had sex in the pool, sex in the hot tub, sex on the beach… sex in my bed. But the best part was having dinner outside, under the stars, with no city noise, no lights, and no distractions. Just me and Blake, with delicious jerk-flavored grouper and a grilled papaya salad. And then we tumbled into bed together, our limbs entangled. The addictive, brain-addling smell of her hair washed over me, and her soft, warm body pressed against mine.