She took a deep breath. He had her now. She would not pass up the opportunity. If he’d said yes, promised to give her what she wanted in exchange for fucking her, she would know he was lying. But if he offered to consider it, she would believe he could still be persuaded. And she would turn all her considerable charms toward convincing him.
He waited almost eagerly for her next move. Would she pout? Or would she turn sensual and pliable, melting into his arms and wrapping her pretty body around his? And if she did that, would he let her?
His dick twitched in response. Sí, he would allow it. He wasn’t an idiot, after all.
“I’m leaving,” she said suddenly, pushing his hand away and launching herself toward the closest ladder.
He watched her go, surprised at her reaction. This was not at all what he’d expected. Then he laughed to himself.
That was the point, was it not? Rebecca wasn’t done playing games. Well, neither was he.
9
Rebecca swam for the ladder. What was she thinking, telling him she wanted everything if she gave in to his demands? She had absolutely no intention of screwing him for a hotel, or company stock, or anything else. She would not be brought down to his level. He believed her to be mercenary. Though a rebellious part of her wanted very much to be in his arms again, she would not give in to the temptation. Every nasty thing he’d ever thought about her would be justified in his mind if she did.
She reached for the ladder, put her foot on the first rung. Strong arms twined around her torso. She squeaked as he pulled her against his body.
His aroused body.
The hard length of his cock was hot against her backside. In fact, every last inch of his skin seared her as he held her close. His fingers snaked across her belly, sensual and smooth. His other hand slid up to cup her breast, testing the weight of it in his palm.
She should push him away and yet she shivered with longing.
“I will give you the hotel, Rebecca. I will consider the rest, though perhaps we will need a repeat performance or two to persuade me.”
His breath was hot in her ear, teasing her, tempting her with remembered bliss. It wasn’t fair to want this man so much in spite of all he’d done. It wasn’t fair that he made her turn to mush the instant he touched her.
He only wanted her because she was here, because she was female, and because he knew she was vulnerable to his charms. She’d proven that when she’d let him lead her into the pool. If she’d truly wanted to get away, she would have gone into the house the instant he entered the water.
She was an idiot, a lonely needy girl who still wanted to be loved by someone in her life. Was it asking too much to want what so many other people had?
What Alejandro had once had with his wife and baby girl?
But no, it was an illusion. Everything with him was an illusion, and she wouldn’t allow herself to believe it ever again.
But he’s hurting, Becca. He lost a precious child and he’s so very different because of it. He needs you.
She gritted her teeth against the onslaught. No.
“I can’t do it,” she said, as much to convince herself as him. “I don’t want to.”
It was a lie, though she prayed he wouldn’t hear it in her voice.
Alejandro turned her in his arms, pressed her against the side of the pool. The water was over her head and she had no choice but to cling to him. His dark head dipped down, his lips ghosting over her cheek, touching the shell of her ear.
“You want me, querida. You cannot deny this.”
“I don’t,” she said desperately.
“Not even for your precious hotel?”
She started to shake her head, realized her mistake when her mouth grazed his jaw. He turned, his lips capturing hers. She moaned—but was it protest or acquiescence? Her head fell back and her mouth opened beneath his. Whatever the reason, he took advantage of the lapse to tangle his tongue with hers. Wild, hot, sucking—their mouths devoured each other. Flame licked up her belly, blossomed between her thighs.
How could she possibly want this man after all he’d done?
But his loneliness called out to the loneliness inside her, tempted her in spite of her best intentions.
His hands slid down her buttocks, over her thighs, lifted them until she wrapped her legs around his waist, the hard length of him pressing against her center. Her body remembered all too well how wonderful sex had been between them. He’d left his impression on every nerve, every cell. Five years had not been enough to erase it.
Even as she shuddered, part of her brain remained lucid, sent the message to drop her legs, to end this before it went too far. He lifted them again, urging her to open to him. He gave her no chance to refuse as his thumb glided between her thighs, found the hot, wet center of her.
Rebecca gasped. It’d been so long…
Alejandro pulled back, gazed down at her with an expression that contained both surprise and confusion, as if he too were a little rattled by how quickly the situation was spiraling out of control.
“You are so hot for me. Like a flash fire. I want to burn myself in you.”
Something inside her was breaking. Breaking all her control and shattering her best intentions. She had to find her balance, had to resist the siren pull of him on her soul and her body before it was too late.
Panic set in, demanded she slow this thing between them before she was completely lost, before she gave in and did exactly what she knew she shouldn’t do.
Before she lost herself.
She blurted the first thing that came to mind. “La Belle Amelie.”
Alejandro’s
