King Novel novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Okay, I don’t regret it anymore.

I practically launch myself into the jet, barely resisting the urge to sprint from one end to the other like a lunatic.

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The sheer size of it is enough to make my jaw unhinge. Private jets are supposed to be small, right? Cozy? This thing could probably house an entire village and still have room for an in–flight spa.

“Are you seriously just standing there?” I whip around to glare at Enoch, who is leaning against the entrance, watching me with that lazy, amused smirk that makes me want to both slap him and kiss him senseless.

He lifts a brow. “I’m enjoying the show.”

“Unbelievable,” I mutter, turning back to the sheer insanity that is his jet. There’s an actual lounge area. Plush leather seats, a bar that looks like it belongs in a five–star hotel, and–holy shit.

I yank open the fridge, expecting the usual sad airplane food, maybe some bottled water if I’m lucky. Instead, I’m greeted with an array of gourmet snacks, high–end champagne, and what has to be the most luxurious case of ice cream I’ve ever

seen.

I stare at it for a solid five seconds before turning to Enoch. “What the fuck is this?”

“A fridge,” he answers dryly, stepping closer.

I gesture wildly. “No, this–this is rich people nonsense. Who the hell has a selection of imported ice cream flavors on their jet?”

He hums, now directly behind me. “People who like ice cream?”

“Ugh,” I groan, still not over it. “This is insane. You’re insane.”

I’m reaching for one of the tubs when a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist, yanking me back against a very solid, very warm body. A familiar one.

“Okay, that’s enough exploring,” Enoch mutters into my ear, his voice low and rough. “I require your attention.”

I huff, still staring at the fridge. “I just need to process the fact that your freezer section is worth more than my entire life savings.”

He buries his face in my neck, inhaling deeply, his grip on me tightening. “Taryn.”

A shiver skates down my spine at the way he says my name–gritted, needy, full of that dangerous possessiveness that always ,threatens to undo me. I exhale sharply. “Yeah?”

“Look at me.”

I turn in his hold, my hands instinctively finding his chest, feeling the steady, heavy beat of his heart. His eyes burn into mine, dark forest and laced with something heady, something that makes my stomach flip.

My fingers skim up, tracing the sharp line of his jaw, feeling the faint stubble there. “You need to shave.”

“You need to stop ignoring me.” His hands slide lower, gripping my waist, thumbs stroking over my skin through my shirt.

I grin, dragging my nails lightly through his hair, watching his eyelids droop slightly at the sensation. “I’ll give you all the attention you want when we land.”

His eyes narrow slightly, his hold on me tightening. “No.”

Ved, 26 Mar

Chapter 80

I blink. “No?”

Before I can register what the hell is happening, Enoch grips the back of my neck and crashes his mouth to mine, swallowing my startled gasp.

The air is knocked out of my lungs, my body pressed flush against his as his lips move against mine, firm and demanding, It takes me a second to catch up, but then I’m melting into him, my fingers tightening in his hair, tugging just enough to earn a deep, satisfied growl from his throat.

His tongue brushes against mine, sending a sharp jolt of heat straight through me. I make a noise in the back of my throat, half protest, half encouragement, because this is absolutely unfair and entirely too good at the same time,

When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing heavily, foreheads resting against each other, his grip on me still possessive, still unrelenting.

“I’m going to enjoy every fucking second of this vacation,” he murmurs, his lips ghosting over mine.

Before I can fire back some witty remark, he hauls me up and over his shoulder like I weigh nothing, making me yelp.

“Enoch!” I shriek, laughing as I pound my fists weakly against his back.

He just chuckles, one hand resting dangerously close to my ass. “You can stare at your precious ice cream later, little Omega. Right now, you’re mine.”

www

www

The second my feet hit the stairs of the jet, I forget how to breathe.

The Maldives looks like someone snatched a piece of paradise out of a dream and threw it onto the earth.

The sky is painted in shades of gold and pink, the sun dipping toward the endless ocean. Palm trees sway lazily in the humid air, and the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen stretches out before me, so pristine it looks fake. The scent of salt and fresh greenery clings to the breeze, and the soft hum of the waves is hypnotic.

“Holy shit.”

I turn to Enoch, who’s stepped out behind me, hands in his pockets, watching me like I’m the sight to behold. His lips quirk into an almost–smile, like he knew this would be my reaction.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe, my gaze flicking between him and the view.

His brow raises, amused. “Yeah?”

“Are you kidding? I’m in love.” I spin in place, arms outstretched as the warm air brushes over my skin. “This is-”

“Careful,” Enoch warns, grabbing my waist when I get too close to the edge of the stairs, reeling me back against his chest. “I’d rather not start this trip by fishing you out of the ocean.”

I glance up at him, my face still lit with excitement. “You’d save me?”

His grip tightens slightly. “I’d burn the whole fucking ocean down if it took you from me.”

I blink. Heat rises to my cheeks, and suddenly, I don’t trust myself to speak.

Instead, I turn and make a break for it, rushing down the last steps and toward the villa where we’re staying. The pathway is lined with glowing lanterns, the scent of tropical flowers thick in the air. The excitement in my chest bubbles over when the door swings open, revealing what might as well be a palace.

Floor–to–ceiling windows with an ocean view. A massive bed draped in soft, white linens. A bathroom with a goddamn

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Chapter 80

waterfall shower. A balcony overlooking the water. Every inch of it screams luxury, yet somehow, it still feels inviting Cozy Like I belong here.

Enoch steps in behind me, hands shoved into his pockets again as he watches me take it all in.

“You like it?”

I spin toward him, jaw still unhinged from the sheer opulence of the place. “Like it? Are you kidding? I’m obsessed.”

His lips twitch, and something in his eyes softens. “Good.”

My heart stumbles over itself at the way he’s looking at me, but I shake it off and move toward my suitcase. “We have to go swimming,” I announce, unzipping it. “It’d be criminal not to.”

I’m already reaching for my bikini when my fingers brush against something else. A notepad. My laptop.

My stomach drops.

The enthusiasm bleeds out of me as reality slaps me in the face. Right. I didn’t just bring my laptop for fun. I brought it because Liam told me to. Because I have a job to do. Because I’m supposed to be uncovering secrets about the man standing behind me.

A shadow falls over me. Enoch.

“Why’d you bring that?” His voice is casual, but there’s an edge to it, as though he already knows the answer. He can sense my hesitation.

I swallow the lump in my throat and plaster on a smile before glancing up at him. “To document everything,

obviously.

Can’t let all this go unrecorded.”

It’s not a lie. Not entirely.

His gaze flicks between me and the laptop before he hums in acknowledgment, but I can tell he’s not fully convinced. He doesn’t press, though, and I don’t give him the chance. I grab my bikini, shove the laptop back inside, and straighten. “I’m gonna change.”

I try to step past him, but his hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. “No.”

I blink. “No?”

What is his Nos today?

His grip tightens slightly. “I’m going to do it.”

The air shifts. My pulse stammers.

Before I can form a protest, he tugs me toward the bed and sits me down. His hands move with slow, deliberate intent as he peels my top over my head, leaving me in just my bra. My breathing is shallow, my skin hot under his fingertips. His eyes roam over me, dark and unreadable, before trailing down to my shorts.

He unbuttons them, slides them down my legs, leaving me in only my underwear. My body feels too exposed, like every inch of me is laid bare under the weight of his gaze.