His Word...Doubt ~ Book Two in the Trusted Saga ~ (excerpt)

Title : His Word...Doubt

Book Two in the Trusted Saga

Release Date : Available now (buy link under "Books" heading)

EXCERPT...

The moment I put my hand in his, I felt the surge of electricity jolt through me. My knees felt weak from his very touch, and the only thing I desired at that moment was to feel him naked next to me, continuing what he started in the limousine the night of the masquerade ball.

With each step closer to the stairs leading back down to the lower deck, I felt the crotch of my panties moisten, and I prayed to God that Levi couldn’t tell how aroused I was.

I couldn’t control the heat rising through my cheeks, which only worsened when Levi descended the stairs first, and waited expectantly at the bottom for me. Oh, God, I hope he can’t see anything. I didn’t look down, but I felt his eyes on me, and I knew he was watching me with consummate interest. I really should have worn jeans.

Levi tucked my arm through his, and escorted me through to the galley where we found everyone had gathered, and had begun to feast upon the magnificent spread that was put together.

Chase was surly, and standoffish---it was certainly obvious he was pissed off at, or with, something. Kiara was giving me the evil eye, too, and the sullen looks she aimed in Levi’s direction were becoming more, and more, pronounced. She hasn’t even spoken two words to me since our heated exchange in the club.

I decided to keep my distance from both of them. I was starting to enjoy being on a boat for the first time in a long while, and I wasn’t going to let either of them spoil it for me.

The boat started to slow down, and before long, it came to a complete stop. The rattling of the heavy chain as the anchor was deployed was somewhat muffled by the excited buzz on deck.

Taking in the sights on the starboard side, I saw a beautiful island. The brilliant white of the sandy beach, surrounded by the deep green of the foliage, were counterpointed by the azure blue seas surrounding as far as the eye could see.

The deep blue of the ocean where the boat anchored, subtly changed color the closer the water got to the white of the beach, until it became so crystal clear near the shore line, it appeared to be like an aqua looking glass, bringing the sea bed to life.

While I was taking in the view of the island’s beauty, Levi came up behind me. Without turning, I knew it was him. The hairs stood up at the back of my neck. It was something that occurred every single time he got close to me. I felt his breath when he spoke softly in my ear. It sent shivers down my spine, and was so unexpected that I answered with the truth straight away.

“Can you swim?”

“Yes, of course I can swim.”

Before I knew what was happening, Levi hauled me over his shoulder, and carried me fireman style to the stern.

Oh, my God. He wouldn’t dare!

The closer he got to the railing, the more I struggled on his shoulder, and the tighter his arms clamped around my thighs to ensure I didn’t fall off of him. I screamed when Levi threw me over the railing, and my heart was trying to climb up out of my throat, while I fell like a lead balloon, straight down to the water, my arms, and legs flailing around through the air, and still fully clothed.

When I surfaced, I was sputtering water out of my mouth, and I was in a state of shock. I couldn’t believe he just threw me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and dumped me over the edge like that.

I was still furiously brushing the hair out of my face when I saw his lean, hard body dive in gracefully, and emerge a short distance away. He slowly swam over to where I was treading water, and when he got close enough, I scooped a handful of water straight at his face.

“What in the hell did you do that for?” I demanded indignantly, wanting an instant response.

Levi swam leisurely around me in wide circles, grinning with amusement.

“I wanted to show you something.”

“And you couldn’t just ask me? You had to resort to throwing me off your boat? I’m still fully clothed!” I stated as I splashed another handful of water at his face in annoyance.

He shrugged nonchalantly.

“Take them off. They’ll dry.”

He swam in ever decreasing circles around me, while I trod water.

“Need any help?” he asked playfully.

I splashed him again. Why in the hell didn’t I change into my Sea Folly’s at the house? How am I going to tell Levi I haven’t got my bikini’s on underneath my clothes? Damn it.

“I can manage, thank you!” I snapped.

Struggling with the button on my shorts, I finally managed to peel them off without drowning.

“Give them to me,” Levi urged with his hand outstretched.

I handed them over, and he squeezed what water he could out of them, before he balled them up, and hurled them up toward the deck. Toni let out a squeal when she caught them as water droplets sprayed over her. Levi demanded my shirt next. He repeated the balling up, and the forceful throw up to the deck. Phoebe caught my shirt, and giggled when she was sprayed with the cold water.

They both jumped back to avoid being pelted with my shoes. Levi grabbed my hand under the water, and started dragging me toward the island.

“Webber!” Chase bellowed from the deck of the boat. “You disappear for too long, and I’ll come after you!” he warned.

Levi laughed, and waved at him from the water.

“Come with me.”

The engaging smile stretching his lips was hard to resist, and in spite of still being a little pissed at him for throwing me off his boat, I found myself grinning back at him in return.

“Said the spider to the fly!” I muttered under my breath.

Perhaps not as quietly as I thought, when I heard Levi laugh.

“I give you my word, Samantha---no silk will be used---at least for the first week.” His well-shaped brows lifted quickly in succession a few times, and then he winked at me good-naturedly.

I gaped at his cheekiness, watching as he swam in the direction of the patch of white sand on the island we’d anchored near. What? What does he use silk for?

A sudden sense of unease took root in my stomach. Then Nathan’s image surfaced. Shaking my head, I dismissed the image quickly.

© Copyright Carol Delmornay 2016.

All Rights Reserved.