Page 95 of 2 Books in One Bundle
‘But what if you weren’t?’ Helia challenged.
‘That won’t happen. I got you into this—I’m not going to abandon you to the sharks now.’ Vasili abruptly stood and turned to her. ‘I’m going back in the water.’
Helia moved through the shallows to perch on a rock. She watched him keenly as he waded out into the sea. The muscles on his back rippled as he dived in. She bit down on her lip, appreciating the way the water glided over his body as he surged through it in powerful strokes. That was her husband. A man she had admired. And as she peeled back the layers of him, she found there was so much more to him.
Helia was coming to realise that she was growing fond of him—which meant that she couldn’t accept his terms. They hadn’t shared in any pleasure yet, and she was already developing some sort of feeling for him. Not to mention the fact that she still didn’t know where she stood when it came to children, which meant that wasn’t a firm no, as Vasili wanted.
That didn’t stop her watching him swim until he was a speck in the distance, and she didn’t take her eyes off him until he was walking towards her. Beads of water raced down his sculpted body, raining down from his hair. He was a masterpiece, and maybe her lust for him was evident on her face because his gaze was fixed on her too. Devouring her.
They might have been outdoors, but the air had become thick. Charged like it had been at the church when they’d kissed.
The force of his presence tugged her off the rock and, paying little attention to her movements, she slipped. But there was no splash of her falling into the water as she’d expected to. Instead, strong hands caught her, and when she looked up golden-brown eyes were all she saw.
She couldn’t stop herself then, but neither could Vasili, and their lips crashed together, stealing the breath from her. Making her heart pound and liquid heat pool in her core. Then his tongue caressed hers and she shivered against him. His arms tightened around her, making her forget where she stood or why she was there. Forget all that she had decided moments before.
His lips slid against hers, tasting of the salty sea. Her skin heated. His touches were making her light-headed. She was reminded how explosive they were together. This could be hers to experience for all her life...
Helia really didn’t want to step out of Vasili’s embrace.
So what if they wouldn’t have children? She didn’t have them now, didn’t have any family, so it wouldn’t change anything. And even if he couldn’t be there for her emotionally, she hadn’t ever needed anyone to be. She had survived and made it this far on her own. But their chemistry...? This was new. This was exciting. And she wanted much more of it, so maybe it would be enough.
‘Vasili...’ His name caught in a breath. He hummed low in his throat, igniting a spark in her belly. ‘I agree to your terms.’
CHAPTER TEN
‘SAYTHATAGAIN,’he’d breathed against her lips.
‘I agree to your terms, Vasili, all of them.’
It had been as if her words had unleashed the tidal wave of want he had been trying to control, and he’d kissed her. He’d kissed her as he’d carried her out of the water, and he’d kept on kissing her until the sun had travelled across the sky and they’d had to return to the resort.
Now they sat on the deck once more beneath the night sky—still in their beachwear, having not bothered to return to the chalet—after enjoying yet another dinner. This one had been far more pleasant than the previous one.
‘Take a walk with me.’
He had meant it to be a question, but it hadn’t come out that way. Not when he wanted so much to extend their day.
‘Of course.’
It should have worried him that Helia was so ready to spend more time with him, but he couldn’t care now. He took her hand in his, leading her away from the deck and onto the sand, where they kept walking until they reached a dark beach the lights of the resort could not reach. The moon was reflected on the water, giving only just enough silvery light to see where they were going.
‘What are we doing here?’ Helia asked.
‘You’ll see. This should be fine.’ He sat on the sand, pulling her down with him. ‘Lie back.’
He let go of her hand and folded his arms behind his head, pleased when she followed suit.
The black sky was covered in silvery twinkling stars. The Milky Way was like an airbrushed stripe across the sky in blues, purples and blacks.
‘It’s breathtaking!’ Helia exclaimed.
‘It is. The lights in Seidon are too bright to see the stars, so whenever I come out here I take a moment to appreciate them. The quiet...’
‘It’s so peaceful. Thank you for sharing this with me.’
He wanted to thank her for being there with him. Even if she hadn’t agreed to his rules it would have been a good day. Probably the best Vasili had experienced in a very long time. Maybe ever. He didn’t want it to end—which was probably rather selfish of him. Helia was likely tired. He knew he should let her retire for the night. But he couldn’t let her go. And yet he couldn’t ask her to stay. He had never asked for anything in life. He moved through it alone. Did things for himself. He didn’t need people, so the words would not form.
The sand beside him shifted. Helia had moved closer. As if she could sense the need in him. He couldn’t stop himself. He unfurled one arm, placing it under her, scooping her closer to his body.
