Текст книги "Feisty Princess"

Автор книги: Michelle A. Valentine

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 6 страниц)

Margo

IT’S A QUICK RIDE TO the gala or at least it felt that way. Alexander and I spent the time going over scenarios of what we would say to members of the board once we ran into them at the event. If there’s one thing I can say about Alexander King, it’s that he likes to be thorough.

We’re sitting in the back of the limo, waiting for our turn to be dropped off at the entrance, when Alexander turns to me. “Perhaps we should go over some rules of engagement while we’re in there.”

I turn my head to face him. “Such as?”

Alexander presses the button on his door and effectively rolls up the privacy wall, separating us from the driver.

“Kissing for one,” he says coolly. “It will be expected of us once we get in there. People are going to want to see some level of affection displayed toward one another.”

“I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to handle some simple pecks on the cheek. Seriously, Alexander, you’re overthinking this. People will buy that we’re together.”

“How can you be so sure?” he asks. “Maybe we better practice a couple of kisses just to make sure we’re on the same page. I don’t feel like getting smacked in the middle of a party if I do something to offend you. I need to know what your limits are.”

I level my stare on him. “You’re really asking me to kiss you right now?”

He licks his lips and then beckons me with the crook of his finger. “Come here.”

As ridiculous as this idea seems, he might just have a point based on our history. When we touch, crazy things happen. Setting boundaries between us is a good idea.

I sigh and then slide over toward him. Alexander’s eyes trail down my body, taking a moment to stare at my chest. This low-cut Prada dress accentuates my breasts nicely, so I can’t fault him for his lingering gaze.

He tilts his head and then places his hand on the bare skin of my thigh. “Will doing this get me smacked?”

My heart thunders inside my chest. The heat from the contact of his skin on mine is sending my body into overdrive.

“No,” I tell him with a breathy tone. “But if you go any higher than that, it might.”

“Noted.” He arches one eyebrow. “How about this?” He moves his hand from my thigh and then cups my cheek. The pad of his thumb swirls around my skin before it dips lower to brush the corner of my mouth.

My mouth drifts open, and I close my eyes as he traces my lower lip with his thumb. An ache between my legs builds. It’s crazy how my body reacts so quickly with one simple touch from this man.

I don’t even realize he’s leaning into me until I feel his warm breath on my face. “You don’t know how badly I want to kiss you right now.”

“What’s stopping you?” I ask, needing more of his skin on mine in that moment.

He leans his forehead against mine. “Don’t tease me like that, Margo.”

“Who’s teasing?” My hand snakes up his chest until it finds the exposed flesh on his neck. “I want you to kiss me.”

He cups my face. “What are you doing to me? Why can’t I resist you?”

I bite my lip as I gaze into his eyes. “I’ve asked myself the same thing about a million times. I’m supposed to hate you, but I can’t stop wanting you.”

That was easier to admit to him that I ever thought it would be.

Alexander sucks a rush of air in through his nose and his chest heaves. He doesn’t move away from me, only stretches his hand out and hits the intercom button, simply instructing, “Drive.”

“Where to, sir?” the driver asks.

“I don’t give a fuck where. Drive until I tell you to stop,” he orders.

The words no sooner leave his mouth than both of his hands are cradling my head, holding me in place while he crushes his lips to mine. His tongue swipes against my lips, begging for entrance while the trim whiskers on his face poke me. I moan as I open my mouth and welcome him inside.

This is wrong, but I can’t find a reason within me to stop. It feels too good—too right.

His hand slides down my neck and then sweeps across my collarbone before pushing the straps of my dress off my shoulders. “I want you, Margo. Tell me that you want me, too.”

His admission causes my blood to pump a little faster through my veins, and his need to hear my confirmation has every inch of me on fire. This man has a way of turning me on like no other, and he’s damn near impossible to resist.

I grip the collar of his crisp white tuxedo shirt and stare into his eyes as I straddle his lap. The bottom hem of my dress rides up my thighs as I press myself against the hard erection in his pants. “I need you, Alexander.”

Those simple words are all the permission that he needs. Alexander attacks my lips with his once again, while his hands work frantically to get me out of this dress. The need to have him inside me to stop my building ache is intense. I lift my bottom a bit to gain access to his belt. When that’s out of the way, I make quick work of unzipping his pants and reaching inside his underwear. He lifts his hips, allowing me to shove the fabric down. I take his cock into my hand. The skin of his shaft is silky as I stroke his considerable length.

Alexander watches me carefully under his long lashes as he reaches between my legs and strokes my clit through the material of my underwear. “These panties are soaked. I love that you get that way for me. Tell me, Margo. When you pleasure yourself, do you think of me?”

My chest heaves as Alexander pushes my panties to the side and slides his finger against my most sensitive flesh. If he keeps this up, I might explode.

“Oh, God.” I throw my head back and allow his naughty words to ring through my mind as I enjoy his touch.

“Do you think of this, Margo? Do you long for it? Do you touch yourself and wish it was me?”

I bite my bottom lip while I curl my fingers around his cock. I can’t concentrate on anything but my own pleasure and the way he’s making me feel. He has me so turned on I can’t see straight.

“I’ve missed this.” He leans in and licks the soft skin just below my ear. “When I don’t have you, I’m dreaming of fucking you, tasting your lips, and hearing you scream my name while you come all over my tongue.”

Fire pools in the pit of my belly. I lean in and kiss him before moaning into his mouth. “Alexander . . .”

“Tell me, Margo. Do you want me inside you?” he murmurs.

“Yesss,” I hiss.

He moves his hand, leaving my underwear pushed to the side and then pulls me back on top of him. The warmth of his cock against my clit feels so damn good. I rock against him a few times, coating him with my desire and allowing our skin to slide together with ease.

Alexander goes to work, trying to undo the zipper in the back of my dress. He curses when it sticks halfway down and then tugs roughly on the dress, losing all patience with taking his time in getting me naked.

The distinct sound of the fabric ripping causes my head to snap up. “My dress!”

Panic shoots through me, knowing I won’t be able to go into the gala like this.

Alexander threads his fingers through my hair and locks me into place. The tip of his nose traces my jawline, breathing me in as he continues his deliciously slow torture of teasing me.

“I’ll buy you a fucking new one. Don’t you dare stop,” he growls in my ear.

I do exactly as he commands and continue rocking my hips. He shoves the torn fabric down, allowing it to pool around my hips. His patience with my underwear seems to be gone too because he reaches under my dress and rips them away from my body.

The index finger of his right hand dips into the cup of my bra. It twirls around my nipple before moving on to the next. He bites his lip as he pushes the cups of my strapless bra down, fully exposing my breasts. His tongue darts out and licks the taut pink flesh before he sucks the entire thing into his mouth.

Every nerve in my body comes to life, and I thread my fingers into his thick, dark hair. I rock against him, needing to feel him inside me. “I’m so ready.”

Alexander grips my hips, steadying me against him. “I want to feel you, Margo. I want to come inside you this time.”

My mind drifts back to the time when we had sex against the door in Vegas and how amazing that felt. That also reminds me this is the second dress he’s ruined during sex. He’s technically my husband and I’m on birth control, so I don’t see the harm in it just this once.

I nod as I play with a strand of his hair that’s poking out in the back. “Okay.”

He leans in and presses his lips to mine as he shifts his hips and his cock presses against my entrance. A quick thrust of his hips and he slips his dick inside me all the way up to the base.

His mouth drifts open, and he stares up at me with lust-coated eyes as he works my hips in a slow rhythm. “Fuck. So damn amazing.”

We rock in time, both getting lost in our own desire—both searching for our own release.

Watching him as he enjoys my body is one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen. I like knowing that I can cause the asshole control freak, Alexander King, to lose all control. It’s powerful and liberating and makes me feel downright sexy.

It doesn’t take long before that familiar tingle overtakes every inch of my being. “Oh, that’s it,” I pant. “Oh, God. Alexander, I’m coming.”

No sooner do the words leave my lips do I fall apart, giving in to the wave of pleasure that Alexander’s given me.

He tightens his grip on my hips and works them faster and faster until he’s biting his lip and sweat beads on his forehead. We lock eyes and a low growl escapes his lips as he explodes inside me, filling me full with his desire.

We stay wrapped in one another’s arms, staring into each other’s eyes as we try to catch our breath. I don’t know what just happened, but this sexual encounter with him felt different—more intimate—and it feels like everything is about to change.

Margo

AFTER A CHANGE OF CLOTHES at Alexander’s apartment, I’m heading back down the stairs. Hopefully, we make it to the event this time. I glance at my phone before dropping it into my clutch. We’re running extremely late.

When I meet Alexander in the foyer, he takes my hand. The warmth of his fingers curled around mine feels so intimate. I’m not sure what in the hell happened between us back in that limo, but it’s more apparent to me now that keeping things strictly business between the two of us is impossible. Something just happens when we’re together. There’s a pull—a connection—I don’t understand, and I’m pretty sure Alexander feels it, too. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed himself to end up married to me, causing himself a whole lot of grief in the process. He’s too smart for that, which is how I know the brain behind that beautiful face of his isn’t making the decisions when it comes to me.

I glance down at our hands as we make our way outside to the waiting limo. I’m tempted to ask him if he’s merely pretending to show me public affection for the benefit of anyone who’s watching or if he’s holding my hand because he wants to, but I won’t. I don’t want to know the answer. If he claims it’s just an act, it might hurt.

Inside the limo, I expect for Alexander to pull away from me, but he doesn’t. We ride to the gala side by side, still holding hands like a happily married couple.

As we pull up to the building the party is being held in, Alexander turns his head toward me while wearing a devilish smirk. “You ready to try this again, or are you ready for round two?”

A blush creeps over my cheeks. As much as I would love nothing more than to go another round with him, I know there’s simply no time for that. Tonight is all about convincing the board members of King Corporation that Alexander is more than capable of running the empire his father left behind.

“As much as I’d like that, we have a job to do,” I tell him. “But I’ll take a rain check on that second round.”

Alexander’s smile widens. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to make your battery operated boyfriend jealous.”

I chuckle at his reference to my vibrator. “Don’t worry. B.O.B. only wants to see me satisfied. He’s probably enjoying the vacation.”

“Bob might have to go. You know I’m a jealous man. I don’t share, especially when it comes to you.” He reaches over and slides one hand between my legs and then brushes my panty-covered folds with his thumb. “And this pussy is all mine.”

His words cause me to shiver. Never have I been claimed like this before, and I have to admit, it’s a fucking turn-on.

“Tonight, I want you in my bed.”Alexander leans in and brushes my lips with his. “But first, we have a little business to handle inside. Are you ready?”

“Let’s do this.”

A few lingering paparazzi snap photos of Alexander and me as we step out of the car—all of them clamoring for a shot of us to put in the society gossip columns.

“Mr. King, is it true that the two of you are married?” one heavyset, balding man with a camera shouts, but Alexander doesn’t even bother to glance in his direction.

Sure, I’ve been in the society papers before, but no one has ever been desperate to know so much about my personal life. It’s weird that people would even care, but things are different for Alexander. He’s been on the public radar since he was named youngest billionaire in the world ten years ago when he inherited his father’s company. People are fascinated by handsome young men who are extremely wealthy.

Alexander reminds tight-lipped until we make it inside the building. “I’m sure we’re going to get a lot of that until the shock over our marriage dies down. As soon as they find another big story to cover, they’ll forget about us.” He extends his elbow to me, and I loop my arm through his. “Come on. Let’s get this ass-kissing over with. The sooner we can get away from these pretentious assholes, the better.”

I can’t help but laugh. His blunt vocabulary is actually comical when I’m not pissed at him for talking to me that way.

The ballroom is alive with Manhattan’s upper-crust society, milling about in their small cliques. A jazz band plays in the corner and a few couples are dancing while everyone else lingers about gossiping or discussing business ventures. A few heads turn in our direction, and it doesn’t go unnoticed that I’m clinging to Alexander’s arm.

The men in the room nod as if approving Alexander’s choice of arm candy for the night, but the women are a completely different story. Their expressions range from pity to contempt. I’m guessing the ones who look like they want to punch me in the face are women Alexander has slept with and aren’t quite over him yet.

“I feel like everyone’s staring at us,” I whisper.

Alexander rubs the light beard covering his face. “Angry beehive, remember? This is where we’ll need to sell it most.” He gazes down at me. “I’m going to kiss you now. It’s best to get this over with. Let them know where we stand, just as we did at the office the other day.”

He’s right. It will save me from having to explain our relationship status a million different times for the next hour.

I nod. “Okay.”

Alexander pinches my chin gently between his thumb and forefinger. “The countdown clock to get you into my bed starts now.”

A genuine smile spreads across my face. “Looking forward to it.”

He leans down and presses his lips to mine, and the weight of all the eyes in the room judging us falls on my shoulders. The kiss doesn’t last long, and it isn’t more than a sweet peck, but it’s enough to show everyone in this room there is definitely something going on between us.

Alexander pulls back. “Let’s work this room.”

And that’s exactly what we do. We spend the next hour rubbing elbows with some of the wealthiest people in New York. Most of the board members appear to be pleased with the match between Alexander and me. All but one, that is.

A tall, slender blond woman with a little age on her approaches us with a smile, but I can tell right away that it’s not genuine. It’s a forced act for Alexander’s benefit as she leans in and kisses him on both cheeks. “Alexander, darling, how nice to see you.”

Alexander’s posture is notably different. His stance has gone from relaxed to rigid. Something about this woman obviously puts his guard up.

The woman’s eyes instantly flit over to me after she releases Alexander. “Are you going to introduce me to your date?”

His nostrils flare as he inhales deeply. “Camille, this is Margo Buchanan—my wife.”

Camille’s dark green eyes widen. “Your wife? Wow.” She turns her attention to me and extends her hand. “You’ll have to excuse my surprise. When Alexander dated my daughter, Jess, he never really seemed like the type to ever settle down. It’s hard for me to picture Alexander as a married man.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. I never anticipated on meeting anyone connected to Alexander’s ex tonight. Especially not the one I’ve been told who broke his heart. It’s difficult to digest that the man I’m starting to open myself up to and feel something for was once very much in love with someone else. I’m jealous this woman exists and probably had a relationship with the easygoing Alexander I’ve witnessed from time to time. It’s also hard for me to grasp the reason Alexander is the way he is with women is because of Jess according to Yamada.

I want to get back at this girl for hurting Alexander, even though I don’t know her at all.

I turn and lean into Alexander, placing my right hand on his chest as I address Camille. “I keep hearing that my Alexander was quite the ladies’ man, but I assure you he’s a changed man.” I flick my gaze back up to Alexander’s smile. “He has my heart completely and I have his. We’re each other’s everything.”

“How lovely, for you.” There’s a hardened edge to her voice. “I hope that it stays that way.”

I level my gaze on Camille and the smile drops off my face while I place my left hanf on Alexander’s chest to show off the ring he just gave me. “Thank you for your concern, but I assure you it’s unnecessary. We’re completely in love with one another and will be very happy together. Nothing will get in the way of that.”

Her lips twist and I can tell that she despises me and wants nothing more than to tell me off. I don’t understand why she would hold ill will toward Alexander. Her daughter is the one who dumped him. She can’t possibly be upset that he’s moved on with his life.

Instead of saying another word to me, Camille turns on her heel and storms away from us. The sparkly dress she’s wearing trail behind her.

I turn back to Alexander. “That was odd. What’s her deal?”

Alexander wraps his arm around my waist, drawing me in tightly against his side. “She wanted her daughter to marry me. She didn’t exactly approve of the tennis pro that she ran off with when she left me. He doesn’t make enough money to suit Camille’s standards.”

“So why blame you? Clearly the split with her daughter isn’t your fault.”

“She knows that, but it doesn’t stop her from blaming me. Jess can do no wrong according to her parents, so no matter the situation, it’s always going to be someone else’s fault—never Jess’s.”

“That’s crazy,” I say.

“Agreed, but that’s how things work around here. You know that. Family is always going to defend their blood no matter what.” He kisses the top of my head. “Let’s get out of here. Kissing ass here tonight chapped my lips, and I’ve had enough of these people for one night. Besides, I do believe we’re on a tight schedule for the rest of our plans for the evening.”

One side of my mouth pulls up into a grin as I think about all the naughty things he’s going to do to my body when we get back to his place. Being married to Alexander King does come with some perks.

Alexander

I KNEW MARGO WAS STRONG, but I never realized how protective she was until she stood up to Jess’s mother two nights ago. It felt nice to hear her brag about how much she was into me, even if she didn’t mean it.

Time flew by after that night. It’s been much easier than I anticipated to be happily married to Margo Buchanan. In fact, it’s gotten so easy that the lines of what’s real between us have been blurred. The first word that comes to mind when I think of Margo is no longer hate. I’ve become quite fond of her, and when the time comes for us to part ways, I’ll actually miss her. It’s not just the sex I’ll miss either. I’ll miss how that smart mouth of hers is always there to call me out for being an asshole, and I’ll miss her audacity.

I flip her over onto her stomach, yank her to the edge of the bed, and smack her ass with the palm of my hand. She groans just like she did when I spanked her last time. She’s a dirty girl underneath that tough persona.

She’s the perfect example of the old saying about being a lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets.

I slam my cock back into her tight pussy, causing her to moan. I grip her shoulders and continue to pound into her, searching desperately for my release.

I have to admit that having a bedroom on my private jet comes in quite handy during long flights like this and keeps me from putting on a show for the crew.

She curls her fingers around the sheets as her entire body shakes. “Oh, God. I’m coming. I’m coming. Alexander . . .”

Hearing my name roll off her lips while she’s in the midst of ecstasy never gets old. I love making her come. It’s highly addictive to witness and even more intoxicating to know that I’m the one making her feel so damn good.

It’s not long before every nerve inside me starts tingling, and I explode inside her, filling her full.

I lean down, pressing my chest against her back while I catch my breath. I bite the bare skin on her shoulder and then kiss the exact spot. “I swear it gets better every single time we fuck.”

Margo shakes her head, causing her long dark curls to bounce around. “I wish you wouldn’t refer to what we are doing as fucking. It sounds so . . .”

“So what?” I probe.

“Graphic.”

I pull out of her and then lie down next to her. “What would you have me call it then? Making love?”

She props her head up with her hand and stares down at me. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re not in love.”

“Exactly,” I say. “Which is why it makes perfect sense to refer to it as fucking. We get each other off. It’s what we do. We fuck.”

She’s quiet for a few moments, but then nods. “I suppose you’re right.”

I pull her to me and kiss her forehead as she lays her head on my chest, effectively ending that topic of conversation.

I trace the bare skin on her shoulder and try to memorize the softness of it because I know sharing moments like this with Margo is a fleeting pastime.

We both lie there in silence—neither of us saying what it is that’s running through our mind—both of us knowing that this thing between us is only temporary.

My cell phone on the nightstand rings, and I debate on whether I should answer the call or stay wrapped up just like this.

“Are you going to get that?” Margo asks as she tilts her head up so she can look at me.

I smile down at her as I pull away and reach for the cell on the nightstand. “King.”

“Where are you, asshole? It’s almost midnight. When Yamada says be here Thursday, it doesn’t mean show up Friday morning.”

I sigh. “I know. We got a late start. I had a few things to wrap up at the office before we headed out tonight. We’ll be there soon enough.”

“Okay, but I don’t want this weekend to turn out like Vegas where you spend the entire time playing eat the cookie with Dime Piece.” There’s irritation in his voice. “Yamada expects a huge party this time.”

“You got it. And I promise tomorrow we’ll party, but just give me tonight alone with Margo when we get there.”

I know that I flew out here to spend the weekend with him and secure the Buchanan deal for his company, but I don’t want to pull myself away from Margo tonight.

“Okay. Yamada will give you your fuck night with Dime Piece, but tomorrow you assholes better be ready because Yamada has a big surprise for you.”

I chuckle. “Don’t worry, buddy. We’ll get it out of our systems tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll have our undivided attention.”

“Oh, sexy, sexy. Can Yamada video you? We put that shit on the Internet and make you famous. Dime Piece could be a centerfold model.”

“Good night, Yamada.” I quickly cut him off before he expands his idea about showing Margo’s body off to the world because I fucking hate the very idea of that.

“Is he upset?” Margo asks.

I stare down at her and run my fingers through her thick hair. “No, just seemed disappointed. I wouldn’t worry too much about him, though. Yamada is pretty resilient. The man loves a good party, and it doesn’t matter who it’s with most of the time.”

“He said you two went to college together.” It’s a statement, not a question. “It’s hard to picture the two of you as such good friends.”

I smile as I think back on the night I met Yamada. “It’s hard not to like the little asshole. He has a way of making you have so much fun that you don’t care how absolutely ridiculous you look while doing it. The first night I met him, he was able to talk me into doing a few keg stands in order to get noticed by a girl.”

“Was it Jess?” she asks, and instantly, my body stiffens.

“How do you know about her?”

It wasn’t a secret. Those who know me well knew I was in a long-term relationship with Jess, but I don’t like to talk about it. Some things need to stay fucking buried because they hurt too damn much.

“Yamada . . .” She shrugs.

Figures. He never did know how to keep his mouth shut. Now, I need to figure out exactly what my friend has been telling her about me.

“What did he say?”

“Not much,” she admits. “He only said that I was the second girl who you were ever able to get before him—Jess was the first, but then she broke your heart.”

I blow a rush of air out of my nose. “I don’t like to talk about her.”

Margo chews the inside corner of her lower lip. “I can respect that. Relationships suck. Promises aren’t always kept and people get hurt, which is why I decided a long time ago that I never wanted to fall in love.”

“That’s good that you protect yourself because love is for suckers.” I trace the contours of her beautiful face and wish that I didn’t believe that. “I’m glad we both can see what we’re doing here for the physicality of it and nothing more.”

There’s a flicker of pain in her expression before she nods. “It’s good we’ve both agreed this is just fucking then.”

My heart squeezes at that thought. Suddenly, I wish I had never said that. I didn’t mean to make her think that what was happening between us didn’t mean anything to me because it does. While I’m certainly not in love, I do feel a definite attachment to her. It would be so easy to fall for Margo if I allowed myself to open up, but deep down, we both know a relationship between us would never work. We’re both too controlling, and when I go behind her back and make this deal with Yamada to tear her father’s company apart, she’ll hate me even more than she ever did. I know it. That’s why this has to be just fucking. That’s why, as much as I want to have her in my bed just like this every damn night, it can never happen. However, I have the urge to at least let her know this time we have spent together meant something to me.

“Would it be strange to say I’m no longer excited by the thought of divorcing you?”

She shakes her head. “I was just thinking the same thing. It’s weird to say that I would like to date my husband.”

I chuckle. “It definitely does sound odd when you put it like that. As much as I would like to say we could try dating, I think we should wait and see how things go between us for a while. I mean, it was only last week that you hated my guts.”

“That’s true. Perhaps you’re right.”

A cocky grin spreads over my face. “I usually am.”

She rolls her eyes and then pushes herself up from the bed and heads to the bathroom.

A few hours later, we’re in a helicopter heading toward Yamada’s island. He’s going to be pissed that we’re here so late, but I know he’ll eventually get over it.

I’ve never seen a sunrise like this before. The sky lights up as the sun pops up above the rippling water, lighting up the ocean as far as the eye can see. The turquoise waters meet the multicolored sky. I’ll give the little shit one thing. He picked one of the most beautiful places on the planet to buy an island.

“It’s beautiful,” Margo exclaimed into the microphone that’s attached to the headset. “It’s been so long since I’ve been to the beach. I’m actually looking forward to this.”

“Let me guess. You were too busy earning two degrees that you didn’t get out.”

She nods. “Yep. That’s exactly right.”

I smile at her. “In that case, Princess, I’m going to make it my personal mission to see that you have a good time while you’re out here.”

Finally, a small island comes into view. Trees cover the tall, rolling hills of most of the place, but there are some visible paths and roads, not to mention the large resort sitting along the back shoreline.

This is the kind of place where famous people come to party out of the spotlight.

The chopper hovers over the landing pad and then steadily descends. Yamada sits in a white topless Jeep that has no doors while he waits for us to land.

When we’re on the ground, the crew opens the door and helps us out. We duck as we walk over to Yamada.

“Get in, madafakas. Yamada’s been waiting for you all night.”

I glance over at Margo, and she shrugs before climbing into the backseat. Looks like she’s learned quickly to just go with whatever Yamada has in mind.

I follow suit and climb into the passenger seat. My ass no sooner hits the seat before Yamada mashes the gas, sending us shrieking down the dirt road.

“Whoa!” I grab the dashboard and reach for the seat belt to buckle myself in. The last thing I need is to fall out of a speeding vehicle because of Yamada’s crazy driving. “Have you slept at all since I spoke to you last night?”

“Sleep?” he says with a chuckle. “No time for that. Yamada was busy entertaining. Everyone Yamada knows is here to celebrate my new island. Those madafakas are still up partying.”

I furrow my brow. “Who did you invite?”

“Everyone,” he emphasizes. “I put the invite out to all my friends on social media, and most of them showed up.”

“Jesus. Social media? You’ll have every freak you’ve ever met here.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. I don’t know why I expected this to be a quiet weekend because I know how Yamada is. He’s not the type who only attends a party—he is the party.