Loving the Wild Card (Kingdom Book 5)

She loved this place, it was her haven. This was where she’d come when she fled America. It wasn’t much by the standards of others but at that time, for her it was home. Her grandparents were still alive back then. When she’d unexpectedly appeared at their door, they hadn’t asked any questions they just took care of her.

Knowing she needed a healing place, they eventually brought her here. Her grandparents had spent a few weeks with her, surrounding her with their love. When they finally realized she wasn’t returning to the States, they made her a gift of the house.

They repeatedly inquired about her brother and their estrangement, but she never told them the truth. To do so would have broken their hearts. In the end, they just stopped asking.

They both died a year later and within a week of each other. It fell to her to bury them, and she did it alone because she was alone.

Standing beside the bed, Lux subconsciously sought a sign of Josh. Nothing, she couldn’t detect his presence.

Pulling back the curtains, she saw the sun was nearly setting. The glows of the sky caught her attention. All that was left of the day she had slept away were a few rays of the sun clinging to the horizon.

Rubbing her hands over her arms, she came into contact with the shirt she still wore. Burying her nose in the fabric, she inhaled. Her senses were immediately assailed by the essence that belonged to the man whose scent she would always be able to pick out, Josh.

Refusing to dwell on Joshua Kingdom for a minute longer, Lux headed for the shower. Thankful that she always kept clothing at the house; when she was finally clean, she put on a long halter neck sun dress and made her way to the kitchen. Standing by the kitchen sink, she filled a glass with water and gulped it down. Attempting to keep her thoughts away from Josh and where he could be, her curiosity got the better of her.

Standing outside, Lux was immediately in tune with her surroundings. The feel of the sea breeze as it flowed over her skin, birds singing their sweet song and bullfrogs croaking their endless refrain, all brought back memories.

Making her way towards the beach; about to push the leaves of a giant fern aside, Lux came to a standstill. Emerging from the water was a sight she wouldn’t soon forget; Joshua Kingdom in all his naked glory. Feeling like a voyeur, she took a step back allowing the leaf to spring back into place. There in the shadows she unashamedly watched him; all six-foot-six of raw power.

There was no getting away from it; he was probably one of the most gorgeous looking men she’d ever seen. Lux wished she had her camera to capture him just as he was at this moment. Subconsciously she licked her lips even as her eyes continued to roam over his body.

When he reached the spot where his towel lay, he bent down and picked it up. As he returned to his full height, his gaze snagged hers. Lux could only describe his smile as wickedly knowing, and it made her toes curl and her nipples harden in reaction.

“By the sounds of all that lip smacking you like what you see. Don’t be shy, come on over and take a closer look. I’ll even allow you to touch,” his voice carried across the space separating them.

Embarrassed to be discovered spying on him, there was no point attempting to remain concealed. Pushing the worthless foliage aside, Lux walked towards him. All the while muttering under her breath about his arrogance and wondering how he knew she was there.

“White,” came the response to the question he shouldn’t have been able to hear.

“What?”

“You’re wearing a white dress. I spotted you the moment I left the water.”

“Okay, you busted me on that, but how did you just hear what I said?”

“How quickly you forget; I have exceptional hearing, dear one,” Josh said pulling on his shorts, still tracking her approach.

Yes, she’d forgotten that about him, but what really made her sad was by the time she reached him, his shorts were in place.

“Sorry, I can see your disappointment, but I really didn’t want to be standing here with my dick dangling when our ride arrives.”

“A ride to where?”

“Tobago, and then the states.”

Lux knew he was waiting for a reaction, and as much as she wanted to hold back, she couldn’t. “Forget it, I’m not going anywhere with you!” She threw over her shoulder as she began to walk away.

“Lux!”

The one word carried so much exasperation; she risked a smile as her back was turned to him.

“See you around, Joshua,” she said as she continued back towards her house.

The sound of a speedboat moving across the water caught her attention. Her heart began to pound; thoughts of unwelcome pursuit at the forefront of her mind. Not for a moment did she associate the sound of the boat with his comment about their pickup. Her mind went into overdrive telling her they needed to get away, to hide; that they were too exposed here on the beach.

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