The need pulsed through him, insidious and hot. He pushed it away. If Anna decided to continue their charade through the wedding as they’d planned, he’d move into one of the guest suites. Paul could make up some excuse to the cleaning staff. Although it probably wouldn’t be necessary. He’d revealed everything to her, and she’d barely been able to look at him when he’d left the beach.
Well, almost everything. When she’d asked him to talk to her, the story had risen and rested on the tip of his tongue. He’d wanted to tell her. Knowing that he would see only disgust in her eyes had stopped him.
God willing, the details of that night would never again see the light of day.
He stalked out of the bathroom, running through a mental checklist of what he would need to move into the suite down the hall should she stay. Computer, phone charger, toothbrush...
The scent of daisies hit him, stopped him in his tracks. He sucked in a shuddering breath then slowly, so slowly, raised his head to see Anna framed in the door leading out to the balcony, her slim form wrapped in a pale pink robe. Her hair tumbled down her back and over her shoulders in cascading waves of dark brown.
His mouth dried.
“Anna...what are you doing here?”
She stared at him for a long moment, as if trying to make up her mind about something. Then she stepped into the room.
“I want us to have sex.”
His mind stuttered. His brain shoutedDanger!even as his lust shouted backYes!
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me on the beach,” he replied as coolly as he could manage.
She took another step. The sun hit the robe and illuminated her sensual figure through the thin material of her robe. His fingers curled on the doorway, a physical reminder to stay put.
“I won’t be what you want, either.”
Surprised, he asked, “How so?”
Her long lashes fluttered. “I do want it all. Eventually. Marriage, kids, love, flowers and romantic cards. You said yourself you’ll never be that kind of man, and I’m not settling for less.”
The words should have brought relief, not created an ache in his chest.
“That doesn’t explain why you think we should have sex.”
Was that his voice? The casual, almost bored, tone? How did he even achieve it when flames were licking over every inch of his skin?
His fingers dug deeper into the doorframe, so hard, he was surprised it didn’t splinter beneath his grasp.
“You gave me a taste yesterday of something I’d never experienced before.”
“A mistake that will not be repeated.”
“What if I want you to repeat it?”
God, her voice. So breathless, so sweet and soft. How could he possibly give in to the temptation she was offering without hating himself for the rest of his life?
“You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“But I do.” Another step into the room. “I’ve kissed other men before.”
Who?The possessive shout sounded from within, primal and jealous that any other man had laid a hand on her, much less his lips.
“And?”
This time his suave casualness had disappeared, the word coming out on a growl.
“And it was nothing like what I shared with you yesterday. I want more of that. You said yourself the world can be a bad place. What better way to be introduced to sex and the physical side of pleasure than with someone I know and trust?”
“You shouldn’t trust me,” he ground out. “I’m just going to break your heart.”