Her heart skipped a beat, but she refused to read anything from his acknowledgment. After all, they've both said that their night together was a mistake. He wasn't acknowledging some longstanding unrequited love. "He treated you badly, how dare he!" Victor continued, moving his hand to the collar of the business shirt she was wearing, fingers gripping the fabric.The water churned in the water, and she was secretly aware of her bare stomach, almost naked under her shirt, with only a thin piece of underwear protecting her modesty. This realization is igniting her soul, bringing her closer and closer to the desire she knows she should fight for. "Yes but," she said simply, because he had been. "Y-you deserve better."She wondered in her heart whether she should leave him. This would be a wise move. She assured herself that she would not let things get out of hand between them. She can't. If she gives in to these feelings, she loses herself completely. "Anyone does," she said, her sh
Her lips parted in surprise. damn it! She is so careless. "What do you think? Of course, I have a silly crush on you." His jaw tightened. "But I’m just a young girl." "Twenty-five," he pointed out."Thanks to my parents and brothers, I was inexperienced and sheltered. You're not like anyone I've ever known. But that's not true, Victor. None of this is true, none of this is real." "That sex is real," he replied sharply, surprising them both.Her lips parted, trying to figure out how to respond. But Victor arrived first, his voice low and firm. "You're my wife, and you want me now as much as ever. You can't keep running from this, Amelia." Her eyes snapped shut, and the beautiful name on his lips evokes her longing. He was right, she was running away because the alternative scared her unconscious."We've agreed on the terms of the marriage," she said, with grim resignation in her tone. "I have no intention of breaking our agreement." "It's not good enough." She wondered at the
"You can use me as your tour guide," he said casually, and despite the fact that she always felt nervous around Victor, completely on edge, she found herself nodding. After all, it's rude to say no. "If you have time, well—" "If not, I won't offer." Amy had planned to leave the house on foot and explore at a snail's pace, but Victor had other ideas.At the back of the house is a garage containing an off-road vehicle, a jet ski on a trailer, and a jet-black motorcycle with shiny chrome features. Also some horses, but no way for that. She doesn't want a poor animal to get tired because of her. Her heart beat faster as he made his way there, running his hand over the leather seat, before turning to face her. Her eyes lingered on his fingers and their touch on the bike. It was impossible not to imagine those same fingers caressing her softly and intimately.Her pulse was weak, and she looked away abruptly. "Have you ever ridden a bike before?" Her smile was wistful. "No." "Not inte
The trees gave way to open grass again, and then another path along the other side of the island, but this time the cliffs disappeared, leading them to a small but perfect bay. It was hard to track their progress, but she guessed they were now across from his house, on the other side of the island. This beach is like something out of a travel brochure, with white sand and rolling hills obscuring the view,Gives an impression of isolation. Even for this part of the city, the water was the purest blue-green she had ever seen. He stopped the bike but didn't turn off the engine right away, so it continued to rattle between her legs and under her, firing barbs of consciousness into Amy's body, making her want to take action based on previous feelings that had been tormenting her ever since she got to his officeAnd to realize that everything that had driven her into Victor's arms was still between them, equally urgent and undeniable. But Amy wasn't that woman anymore. Her life has changed
If she let herself go with him, if she really let herself go, forgetting the contractual nature of their deal, she was afraid that she would lose her heart and herself. Victor is a man who is determined not to love. She could give him her heart, but he would never give it back; the effects would be devastating.The wisest thing to do is to back away from him. Put some distance between them, take a few deep breaths, and remember that the worst thing she can do is get caught up in their relationship, forgetting, even for a moment, that it's not real. "Victor—" She tried to find the words to explain, suppressing the urgency in her heart, but he was so close to her that the battle inside her felt like a losing battle."Yes?" He was very close. Their bodies are nearly one piece, and the heat of the day is nothing compared to the heat they generate. Did he feel it too? She had to believe he did. After all, he's the one advocating that their relationship became physical. What if he was di
But just as he was about to give in and give them both what they wanted, reality broke into his head and old habits gave him pause. "I don't have any protection," he hissed, cursing himself for not bringing his wallet. Her cheeks became redder. "It's okay," she muttered, and his heart pounded against his ribs, and he had to stay still so he wouldn't immediately lean over her, grab her, and possess her like he'd been since she walked into his office he wanted to do this."Remember, I'm on the pill," she said. "And I'm clean. I've been tested." "So am I." Relieved, he knelt between her legs and stared at her as if she were some kind of magical sea creature as if it was a dream. Maybe it was. Feeling the possibility of her changing her mind or disappearing into the ocean sex was more likely than their actual making love, yet she made no move to leave.She reached for him, and this time he lowered himself, so her hands wrapped around his arms, pulling her toward him, and he kissed her
She shuddered with relief, a deep relief welling up from the core of her doubts and worries. He moved closer and put his hands up to the sides of her face, holding her firmly so he could gaze at her and make her feel as though her soul was being revealed to him, to be seen and understood, and to come out. For some reason, though at that moment, she didn't mind her habit of keeping her inner feelings hidden and protected."There's nothing wrong with you," he repeated, frowning. "You're passionate, sensual, beautiful, addictive." Addictive, almost not. Yet somehow, standing in that idyllic cove, it was easier for her to believe Victor's words. Victor made her feel great, and it scared her because feeling great would make her relax, trust him, make herself care about him again, and Amy couldn't take that risk.She will be leaving soon. But now, it felt so good to be close to him, naked, in the sun, the ocean wrapping their feet, rolling decadently toward the shore each time. "Just make
Victor cursed under his breath, and her eyes flicked to his face, realizing what she had just confessed. "As much as you love being with me for the first time," she said with a smile. He reached out, took her hand, and raised it to his lips. "I do." It was sweet and kind, but Amy felt like a vulgar child again. "It's not just my family. I mean, it's mostly them, but maybe the lack of confidence and experience affected me because I never really met the person I felt—IShe looked at him pleadingly, hoping he would understand, but he offered no help. "I'm not attracted to anyone. I've had a few men ask me out," she said in a jittery voice, "but no one made me feel like I couldn't bear to say no. All in all, being a virgin isn't hard." He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "However, you are a very sensual woman." Only with you. She remained silent, returning her attention to the board and moving the pieces into place."Why did you marry him?" The question popped into Amy's mind, startl