Hotshot Boss (Alphalicious Billionaires 10)

Curtis swiped water off his face after he surfaced. He stared right at Lexi and her heart stutter stepped. She’d never seen him like this. Wet, obviously. He’d only ever been dry when he’d come into the office. But she’d never seen him as he was at the moment. Unguarded. Nearly human. His lashes were starred with water droplets. Water sluiced off his slicked-back dark hair and trailed down his temples to drip off his granite jawline. Beads of water skidded over his perfect nose, dropping off the end. Even his lips were wet as he grinned at her.

Lexi let out a little gasp and quickly ripped her eyes from Curtis’ face. She hated the warmth that spread through her body like suddenly the entire pool was filled up with lava and not cool water. She hated the tingling in her toes that spread up her legs and exploded between her thighs. She hated the butterflies that fluttered crazily in the pit of her stomach. She hated the way her chest compressed, and she forgot how to breathe properly. She didn’t want to be attracted to Curtis James, but she had eyes. Her biology, as it happened, was rooted firmly against her. She tried to manufacture some of that good old disgust she felt for the TFB, but at the moment, all she felt was undeniable, red hot lust.

“Please, Uncle?” Noel repeated again.

To Lexi’s surprise, Curtis gave in. “Alright.” He opened his arms. “If you can swim over here, I’ll give you a ride around the pool.”

Noel was game for it. She glanced at Lexi and Lexi finally nodded, giving the go ahead. Part of her wanted to see if Curtis really would put Noel up on his shoulders and cart her around the pool like a normal, attentive, loving uncle. It seemed so removed from something he’d normally do.

She stayed at the edge of the pool, her feet firmly rooted on the bottom, Austin in her arms, still splashing happily with the water. He was a good toddler. One of the happiest, most easy going she’d ever seen. Noel was a nice kid too. They obviously had a decent set of parents. What the heck was wrong with Curtis then? Did he inherit all the bad genetics? Maybe being so good looking was a curse. Maybe it went to his head at an early age. Although, his sister must be pretty too since her children were so beautiful. Lexi had never met Curtis’ sister. She didn’t even know her name, but she was willing to bet her entire savings on her being super nice, kind, and down to earth.

Sure enough, after Noel reached Curtis in the deep end- with little effort as she was a good swimmer- he hoisted her up on his shoulders. He swam with her like that, big sure strokes that cut through the water, while she gripped the side of his face and hung on for dear life. She loved it. Every single minute, even the parts where Curtis went completely underwater, nearly dunking her. He did two laps around the pool like Noel wasn’t even there, his powerful body cutting through the water easily, before he swam right up to Lexi.

He stood up, his feet rooted at the bottom, the water only brushing his waist, even though it was at her chest.

“Kiss her!” Noel screeched.

“What?” Lexi’s jaw dropped in shock. “Noel! Why would you say that?”

“Well, you’re his girlfriend, right? Kiss! Kiss! I want to see you kiss!”

Before Lexi could offer up any protests or reason with the four-year-old screaming in glee above her, Curtis’ warm hand shot to her shoulder. His touch was infinitely gentle, yet somehow rough and slightly possessive. His fingertips were strangely rough like he did actual labor, not just sat behind a desk. Her entire body thrilled, her heart slapping the underside of her ribs, pumping blood through her veins so fast they were probably in danger of exploding. His hand was delicious. His touch did something strange and terrifying. The hair on her arms and the back of her neck stood on end like he was a wolf, a real-life threat, and he was about to tear out her throat.

And she was frozen in place. She couldn’t pull away or move or save herself.

He dipped his head, heedless to the weight of the kid on his shoulders, angled his face, and did as Noel demanded. He didn’t just give her a quick, affectionate peck on the lips or keep things G-rated. His lips were scalding, his kiss hungry, urgent, demanding. He parted her lips and she was too shocked to protest. She should have locked her lips shut, not let his tongue snake through and deepen a kiss she shouldn’t ever want. But it did. It parted her lips and it was in her mouth suddenly. He was kissing her, and she was letting him. Open mouthed kissing her. She was letting it happen. She should be biting off his tongue, not letting it search for her, find it, and stroke it in a sensual dance.