bChapter /bb91 /b

    Olivia

    The gardens were spectacr, ba /bcarefully designed blend of manicured spaces and what appeared to be wild tropical growth. Stone pathways wound through flowering nts and fruit trees, with asional benches or seating areas ced to take advantage of particrly beautiful views.

    “Your mother did all this?” bI /basked, admiring a flowering vine that covered an elegant perg.

    “She designed it. bHad /bndscape architects bring her vision to life. She visits twice a year to make adjustments.”

    We continued walking, Alexander pointing out various features of the property: a meditation pavilion, a koi pond, hiking trails that led to different beaches and lookout points.

    The sun grew stronger as the morning progressed, and I could feel perspiration beginning to form along my hairline.

    “Hot?” Alexander asked, noticing my difort.

    “A bit,” I admitted.

    “Perfect time for a swim.” He gestured toward the main house. “The infinity pool has the best views on the property.”

    Back at the house, Alexander led me to the lower terrace where an enormous infinity pool seemed to merge seamlessly with the ocean beyond. Lounge chairs and cabanas surrounded it, offering both sun and shade options.

    ‘I’ll change and meet you back here,” he said. “Swimwear is in your closet.”

    In the bedroom, I found an entire section of the closet dedicated to swimwear, including bikinis, one–pieces, and cover–ups in various colors and styles. I selected a simple ck bikini that offered more coverage than some of the more revealing optionsb. /b

    Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt suddenly self–conscious. The bikini fit perfectly (of course it did), but it had been a while since I’d been this exposed around a man, especially one as physically perfect as Alexander.

    ‘Don’t be ridiculous,” I told my reflection. “This is just swimming. Nothing more.”

    When I returned to the pool, Alexander was already there, his board shorts slung low on his hips as he arranged towels on two loungers. He turned as I approached, his eyes widening slightly as they took in my appearance.

    ‘Fuck,” he said softly.

    “What?” I crossed my arms over my chest instinctively.

    “Don’t.” He stepped closer, gently pulling my arms away. “You look incredible, Olivia. Don’t hide.”

    Heat that had nothing to do with the tropical sun flooded my face. “I feel a bit exposed.”

    “You’re supposed to. It’s a bikini.” His eyes traveled slowly down my body, lingering on my breasts before continuing to my hips and legs. “And it looks fucking perfect on you.”

    I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of how little fabric separated us. b“/bShall we swim?”

    Without waiting for his answer, I walked to the edge of the pool and dove in. The water bwas /brefreshingly cool against my heated skin. I surfaced to find Alexander watching me with an amused expression.

    b1/3 /b

    Eager

    He surfaced just inches away, water droplets clinging to his eyshes. “You know, most women appreciate being told they look good.”

    “I’m not most women,” I replied, treading water.

    “No, you certainly aren’t.” His gaze dropped to where my breasts floated just at the water’s surface. “Most women don’t have tits like yours, either.”

    I gasped at his bluntness. “Alexander!”

    “What? We’re married. I’m allowed to admire my wife’s body.”

    “It’s inappropriate.”

    “Inappropriate would be telling you all the things I want to do to those perfect breasts. Inappropriate would be describing how I want to suck your nipples until you’re begging me to fuck you.”

    My body responded instantly to his words, my nipples hardening beneath the wet fabric of my bikini top.

    “See?” he said, noticing my reaction. “Your body knows what it wants, even if you’re not ready to admit it.”

    I sshed water in his face. “My body doesn’t know shit.”

    “Liar,” he said, but he swam away, giving me space.

    We swamps for a while, the exercise helping to dissipate some of the sexual tension between us. Alexander was a strong swimmer, his powerful strokes cutting through the water with practiced ease.

    After working up a good sweat or whatever the equivalent was when already wet, we both floated at the edge of the infinity pool, looking out at the ocean beyond.

    “I’ve been thinking about our kiss,” Alexander said after afortable silence.

    “Which one? The wedding kissb?/b”

    “Mm–hmm.” He turned to face me, his back against the pool’s edge. “You kissed me back. Really kissed me.”

    I felt my cheeks heat up. “It had to look convincing.”

    “It did. Very convincing.” He moved slightly closer. “So convincing, I’ve been thinking about it ever since.”

    “It was just ia /ikiss, Alexander.”

    “Was it?” His eyes held mine. “Because it felt like more. It felt like you wanted me.”

    I broke eye contact, looking out at the horizon. “Maybe I did. In that moment.”

    “And now?”

    I could lie and say I felt nothing. Or I could admit that yes, I was attracted to him. That the kiss had awakened something in me I’d been trying to ignore.

    “I don’t know,” I said finally. “This whole situation isplicated.”

    Alexander nodded, surprisingly epting of my non–answer. “We should probably practice more.”

    “Practice what?”

    “Kissing. Being physically intimate.” He gestured between us. “We’re supposed to be madly in love. If we look awkward touching each other, people will notice.”

    He had a point. “I guess that makes sense.”

    “Besides,” he added with a grin, “what kind of honeymoon doesn’t include at least some making out?”

    “A fake one?”

    “Even a fake honeymoon deserves real kisses, don’t you think?”

    Before I could respond, he moved closer, his body just inches from mine in the water. “May I kiss you, Olivia?”

    My breath caught in my throat. “For practice?”

    “Call it whatever you want.” His eyes dropped to my lips. “But I need to taste you again.”

    I should have said no. Should have maintained the boundaries of our business arrangement. But something in his gaze, the raw desire I saw there, made resistance impossible.

    “Yes,” I whispered.

    Alexander didn’t hesitate. His hand cupped the back of my neck, drawing me to him as his lips imed mine. Unlike our wedding kiss, which had started gentle and built in intensity, this one was hungry from the start. His tongue swept into my mouth, tasting of chlorine and something uniquely him.