Traction (The Driven World)

“You bought all this for me?” Shock rings clear in my voice. There must be at least ten different swimsuits. I pick out a bright pink one and smile. “Now, I know this is for me.”

“They’re all yours. You can keep them here because the only time you’ll be wearing them will be with me,” he claims, his expression turning serious.

“Is that a rule I need to obey?”

“Yes.” He doesn’t falter when he replies.

I turn and look up at him. “Are you jealous, Kayden Mercer?” My gaze narrows on him, and I can’t help but smile, my cheeks hot with both embarrassment and happiness.

He kisses me quickly. “I most certainly am. Now get changed, and I’ll bring our appetizers.” He disappears out the door, and I take a moment to revel in the excitement of having him as mine. Of having a boyfriend. As I get changed, I glance at myself in the mirror. The material hugs every curve, showing off my tanned skin against the luminous pink. It’s pretty. The strings hold up the bottoms as they tie into a bow at my hips, and the top strings tie over my neck and around my back.

When Kayden walks in again, his eyes bug out when he sees me. “That’s most definitely one you are only allowed to wear in private.”

This makes me laugh. “You were the guy at the party that night,” I tell him, remembering the first night I ever laid eyes on Kayden Mercer. “I was in the hot tub, and you were at the bar with a blonde.”

“I was.” He sets a tray down, holding wine glasses, a platter of cheese and crackers, a bowl of chips and dip, as well as a bottle of chilled champagne. “It was the first time I ever saw you.”

“Same.”

Kayden gestures toward the hot tub, and I can’t stop the blush from heating my cheeks as I walk by him, stepping up and into the warm bubbles that welcome me. It’s soothing, even from the first dip into the water. I settle on the bench and glance out the window, which looks down into the world below.

“Your view is something else,” I tell him.

“It is.” His response is gravelly, and I turn to find him looking at me instead of the window. His eyes hold mine, the heat in them evidence that he wants me as much as I want him.

“I’m not sure how to be with someone like this,” I confide honestly. “I’ve—”

“Don’t worry about it,” he assures me. “We’ll take it a step at a time.” Slowly, his hands tug at his clothes, and I enjoy the show of Kayden Mercer stripping for me. With every inch of skin that comes to view, more butterflies fill my stomach.

Once he’s standing before me in his tight boxer briefs, he looks at me with a side smirk curling his perfect full lips. “Enjoy the show?”

“Most definitely,” I answer honestly. There’s no more hiding. And that scares the crap out of me. He joins me in the water, scooting up beside me before bringing the tray closer and grabbing a glass of champagne. He hands me one and holds his.

“To a new start.” Kayden clinks his glass with mine, and we settle into a comfortable conversation about racing, about his car currently being looked over for the new season.

I sip my drink and glance at him watching me. There’s affection on his face. It’s painted into the handsome lines of his smile and at the corners of his eyes.

“So, I take it your mother was impressed with me?”

I nod. “She was. It’s not every day her daughter brings home an older man, but she took it well. I think she can see how happy I am with you.”

“Good, because that’s the only thing you’re going to be with me.” His promise warms my chest. Kayden sets down his glass and takes mine. Once they’re out of the way, he grips my hips and pulls me over his lap to straddle him. Warmth settles between my legs when I feel his erection pressing against my core.

Gently, he takes my face in his hands and pulls me closer for a kiss. At first, it’s tentative, but the closer we move, the more his tongue delves into my mouth. My spine tingles with awareness that his hands are trailing down to my shoulders and around my neck.

“Tell me to stop,” he mumbles against my lips. I open my mouth to speak, but then reconsider. I shake my head. “Tell me you don’t want this, and we can go into the kitchen, have lunch, and watch a movie.” He’s giving me an out. A choice to not be doing this, but I don’t want him to stop.

“I want this,” I confirm. “I want you.”

His fingers tug at the string, and my bikini top falls free. He unbinds the knot at my back, and the scrap of material disappears, baring my breasts to his heated gaze.