I had to see you, hold you.’
‘Your mother—’
‘Had no right to come here. If I’d even suspected she might I’d have told you not to grant her entry. I’m sorry, Alina—and, believe me, so is she right now.’
‘You’ve talked to her?’
His chest tightened. Hadn’t she believed him when he’d said he’d protect her?
‘More like a short, angry lecture. Plus her one and only warning. I made it clear if she upsets you again I’ll have even less contact with them.’
‘That’s a bit drastic. They’re your family, Ethan. I knew about her attitude, so I shouldn’t have overreacted—though she certainly lived up to her reputation.’ Her tone softened with regret. ‘I’m really messing up your life, aren’t I?’
He shook his head. ‘Quite the opposite, Alina Fletcher. You enrich my life every day. You and our baby have changed my world.’
Her hands relaxed, allowing him to tighten his hold, bringing them into full body contact. Her fingers traced a featherlight path up his neck, across his chin. A glimmer of desire flickered in her eyes. It was satisfying for a few seconds—until his body responded to the flimsy barrier of cotton bathers and silk boxers between them, to the press of her breasts on his bare chest. To the flesh-on-flesh contact of their thighs.
His mouth crashed down on hers. No preamble, no gentle brush of lips—this was need, satisfying a hunger that had been building for days. From that first gut-clench, that first look into her haunted eyes.
He tilted her head for better contact, took what she offered, his tongue caressing hers, tangling, tasting the sweetness he’d dreamt of. And she was an active participant, giving and receiving, her fingers weaving into his hair, holding his head to hers.
His heart thumping, pulses pounding at every point, his lungs screaming for air, he had never felt so gloriously alive.
Reluctantly breaking the kiss, still holding her close, he gazed into violet eyes as bright as the stars in a moonless night, stunned and bewildered by the ardency of their kiss. He’d crossed an unspoken boundary, knew he should apologise. Knew it would be a lie.
‘Do you want another apology?’
How could Alina ask an apology of him when she’d willingly contributed to the kiss? When she’d seen the concern in his eyes as he’d surfaced beside her? When it had been him she’d been thinking of as she’d floated in the semi-darkness, lost in a hopeless fantasy?
There’d been no sound—only a crackling in the air surrounding her skin. She’d opened her eyes and dream had become reality. A splash and a moment later she’d been enveloped in strong arms, his lips nuzzling her neck.
As if nothing had happened. As if his mother hadn’t treated her with contempt. She’d bristled, hit him in an effort to get away.
His sincere contrition had chastened her; his defence of her had quelled her resentment. His claim that she enhanced his life had spun her back into her daydream and his kiss had been everything she’d imagined and more. She could no longer deny that she wanted him—rampantly hormonal or for real. Where that took them, she had no idea.
‘I don’t ever want you to say sorry unless you truly mean it. I’m the one who ought to apologise, for acting like an immature schoolgirl. I should have kept calm this morning and placated her.’
She was blurting out waffle, keeping back the words she really wanted to say.
The incongruity of the situation suddenly hit her. She was in a dimly lit pool, treading water with an almost naked, definitely aroused man whose very presence threatened her safe, isolated, unemotional existence.
‘Ethan, I...I can’t... Oh, hell, I can’t shop.’
Ethan’s eyes widened when she swore. His hold loosened, giving her the chance to paddle backwards, putting distance between them. He caught her at the steps, his touch light yet compelling. His hand framed her cheek. His little finger lifted her chin, enabling him to study her face with the intensity she no longer found intimidating. Especially when the warm, caring gleam in his dark blue eyes said he’d wait as long as it took for her to confide in him.
She quivered: from his look, from his hold, from her fear of his reaction. From everything about him.
His lips curled in reassurance. ‘If I let you go now, will you explain what that meant when you’re dry and dressed?’
When she’d had time to rethink, time to decide to try again. When he’d be corporately attired, in his business persona again.
Her eyes blurred with tears. She needed help—the sooner the better.
‘Of course I can shop—that’s ridiculous. It’s buying stuff to wear when I meet the people in your world that’s so daunting. Those fancy boutiques scare me; even the upmarket department stores are discouraging if you don’t follow the latest trends. Reading magazines doesn’t help, because I have no idea what’s suitable for what event.’
‘I like you in blue.’ Instant and believable. He gently wiped the corners of her eyes with his thumb. ‘And your new dresses look great.’
‘They were easy. Summer daywear. Once I start meeting people you know I’ll be judged on how I look, what I wear. How I speak. I’m afraid I’ll fail you.’
Her mouth stayed open, unable to form more words as her brain seized on her last thought. Failing Ethan, having her unsuitable image impact on him, was her number one fear. Perhaps an avoidable situation if one woman had behaved as a loving mother should.
‘Why couldn’t your mother be more like Louise? Then I’d be able to ask her for help.’ As soon as the words were spoken she wished them back. Gave a choked snort of a laugh.
‘Stupid question. If she were we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I need to manage by myself.’
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