Page 195 of Modern Romance Collection February 2025, 1-4

She glanced back again, her jaw tight. ‘I prefer groundskeeper. Since I also look after the forest, not just the garden.’

Hell. Ithadto have been her, in that case. There was no other possibility. As the thought hit him, a shock of sexual desire pierced him, so intense it took his breath away, and for a moment he had to fight to get it under control. Which hadn’t happened for twenty years. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been in the grip of such intense sexual hunger.

He’d spent the last fifteen years indulging his appetites shamelessly, letting himself have whatever he wanted, and why not? He deserved it after the long battle first to gain control of his father’s company, then to break it up piece by piece. After the years of his childhood where everything had come with a price, with strings. Short strings, long strings, butalwaysstrings. Everything had been a negotiation, a deal. Everything a quid pro quo. His father had taught him to be ruthless and hard when it came to getting what he wanted, to negotiation, and, since it was the only power he’d ever had as a child, he’d learned.

He’d learned to control his emotions too, to not let need or desire get in the way of getting the best deal possible. Of course, now he’d achieved what he wanted, he’d lengthened the leash he kept on his appetites, seeing no point in not indulging them. But he never let them get too out of control, never let them control him. He remained in command of himself always.

Except apparently he hadn’t with this woman. Who, despite having been under him for one whole night, made him want to have her again. And again, and again...

Dominic knew he should walk away. Should turn and go back to the manor, sign the papers that would sell this godforsaken property, and leave without a backward glance, never to return.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he strolled over to the edge of the pool and looked down at the woman in it, her hair a golden veil around her face, the remains of wildflowers, blue and pink and purple, still caught in the wet strands.

She stared back, the gold flecks in her eyes glittering with temper.

‘It was you,’ he said, and he didn’t make it a question this time. ‘That night in the forest.’

She gave him an aggravated look. ‘Can you please go away? It’s cold and I want to get out.’

But he was in a position of power now, his favourite position, and he was finding it far too satisfying getting under her skin. She’d turned him inside out that night and apparently still had magic enough to do the same thing now, and what was sauce for the goose was good for the gander, et cetera.

So he merely folded his arms and remained where he stood. ‘Then by all means get out. Don’t let me stop you.’

The golden sparks in her eyes glittered brighter, and again he felt that delicious rush of excitement and anticipation. It would be glorious if she got out, only to run again, naked and dripping wet. He’d run too, and this time he’d make sure to catch her sooner, so that they could get to the pleasurable part quicker, her mouth on his, all raw heat and honey, with a sharp edge.

He hadn’t had a woman since that night. He’d been busy with a new startup in LA and had told himself he hadn’t had the time to find a new lover. Lies, of course. He’d had the time, he just hadn’t had the inclination, and now two months of celibacy were starting to bite.

That had to be the reason he felt this way. Theonlyreason. If she didn’t get out, it didn’t matter to him. He’d find someone else to lose himself in...wouldn’t he?

You want her, though.

She was staring at him furiously from the water, and, yes, he had to be honest with himself. He wanted her. He wanted her badly.

‘I can stand here all day,’ he murmured. ‘You, on the other hand...’

‘Bastard,’ she muttered, shooting daggers at him.

Oh, she had spirit. He liked thatverymuch. ‘I’m your boss. I could fire you for that.’

‘Fine. Fire me. Now go the bloody hell away.’

‘I’ve touched every inch of your body. What does it matter if I see it?’

‘This is sexual harassment.’

‘Take it up with HR.’

Her full mouth compressed. If looks could kill, his broken body would be floating in the water next to her.

What are you doing? You’re usually much better with women than this.

It was true. Then again, he liked power games, and the pettier the better, especially with women who were as fiery and stubborn as this one.

Still, making her sit in cold water to gratify his need to win was perhaps too petty, even for him. He really should turn around and let her get out, and then they could have a proper conversation.

The water of the pool was clear and as he prepared to turn around, he could see the pale shape of her body beneath the surface. She had her arms crossed protectively over her chest, and maybe it was a distortion of the water but it seemed as if her stomach was...

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