You can’t keep mooning over the guy. It’s been two weeks.

Lily stared at her sister’s text and sighed. Trudy had been doing everything she could to get Lily’s mind off Yasin. Of course, Lily hadn’t told her the truth about what happened. Just that he had been at the resort, too, and they had started up their relationship again. Trudy was more than relieved when Lily told her that Yasin had decided not to continue seeing her.

Trudy had invited her out this evening, but Lily had declined. Trudy had even threatened to come over and drag her out with her, but Lily had assured her that she wasn’t ready.

Lily’s heart ached. She loved Yasin so deeply and it hurt that he’d simply cast her aside. It had been a shock. She was sure he loved her. The look in his eyes, both when they were in college, and on the island...

How could she have been so wrong?

Her doorbell rang and she was sure it was Trudy coming to drag her out with her.

She walked to the door of her townhouse and pulled it open.

Yasin stood at the door, devastatingly handsome in a charcoal suit.

Her breath caught.

“Lily, I am sorry to arrive unannounced, but I felt it best to talk to you in person. Would you join me for dinner? We have some things to discuss.”

She stamped down the hope rising in her. She wouldn’t allow herself to believe he was here because he wanted her back.

She stared at her jeans and T-shirt. “I’m not dressed for dinner.”

“I will gladly wait while you change. In fact, I saw a dress I thought would suit you and I hoped that you might consider wearing it.” He handed her an elegant shopping bag—glossy black with a design of white swirls.

She took the bag he offered, stunned.

“May I come in?” he asked.

She drew in a deep breath. “Of course.”

It was odd having him in her small, modestly furnished townhouse after the luxury of the beach house on the island.

“I won’t be long,” she said as she headed up the stairs, bag in hand.

Once in her bedroom, she dropped the bag on the bed and hurried to the bathroom to freshen her makeup and comb her long hair, then coil it behind her head.

She returned to the bedroom and dumped the contents of the bag onto her bed. In awe, she lifted the lovely black velvet dress with rhinestone trim. It was so soft and beautiful. She held it up and realized... it was strapless.

Her heart pitter pattered, but she dared not hope this meant anything more than he wanted her to be properly attired for an elegant restaurant. He probably didn’t even remember that in their fantasy foreplay, she had mentioned wearing a strapless dress.

Along with the dress was black lingerie—the bra a strapless style—black high heels with rhinestone trim to match the dress, and other accessories.

She dressed quickly then stared at herself in the mirror. The dress accentuated every curve, and revealed the creamy swell of her breasts. She felt elegant, and at the same time, sexy.

She picked up the exquisite black silk shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders, then tied it loosely in front. Then she dropped her keys and wallet into the evening bag.

When she walked down the stairs, he watched her, but his eyes gave nothing away.

“You look lovely in that dress. Let me just add one finishing touch.” He pulled a sparkling necklace from his pocket. “May I?”

She nodded and turned around. The feel of his fingers as he fastened it sent tingles of awareness dancing through her. The necklace wrapped around her throat like a collar. She walked to the doorway and glanced in the mirror. The necklace was made up of six strands of clear stones that glittered like diamonds.

“It’s very pretty,” she said.

He smiled and guided her to the waiting limo. Once they were inside, the car pulled away from the curb.

“I’m surprised to see you,” she said.

“As I said, we have some things to discuss.”

She stared at her hands. “I’m not going to press charges. You don’t have to worry about that. And I don’t need any reparation.”

That’s probably all he wanted to hear, so she might as well tell him so right up front, to reassure him. Now they would probably just make small talk over dinner, then he’d be done with her for good.

Her heart ached at the thought.

“That’s not what I wanted to discuss,” he said.

“It’s not?” She turned to him and her breath caught at the intense longing in his eyes.

His big hand cupped her face and his dark eyes blazed with heat. Then his lips found hers and the passion and persuasion of his kiss took her breath away. His arm swept around her and she melted against his strong body as he drew her tight to him.

She could barely breathe as his tongue glided deep, undulating against her own.

When their lips parted, she stared at him, dazed.

“But I thought—”

“That I didn’t want you?” He shook his head. “That was never true. I have wanted you... needed you... since we first met.”

“Then why did you walk away?”

“I did so to protect you. And if I were an honorable man, I would stay away from you.” His eyes filled with haunting sadness. “But I can’t. My life is nothing without you.”

His melancholy tore at her heart, but his words...

“I don’t understand. Are you afraid that your brother will try to hurt me if we continue seeing each other?”

He shook his head. “It’s not my family I need to protect you from. It’s me.”

“You?”

“Yes. Me and... My urges. The way I want to be with you. The way I want to... take you.”

Her hormones fluttered at the thought of him taking her.

“Why do you need to protect me from that?” Her words came out hoarse and throaty. “The thought of you taking me is exciting.”

“But what if I go too far? I want to hold you down. To feel you struggle against me.” His eyes blazed with heat. “I want to tie you up. Even use a flogger on you.”

“Aren’t there safe words for that? So I can stop you if it’s too much?”

“Yes, of course, but...”

She rested her hand on his arm. “Yasin, are you afraid you won’t stop?” His darkening eyes gave her the answer. “You’re actually afraid you’ll hurt me?”

“I don’t want you to be afraid of me. Ever. And I would never forgive myself if I hurt you.”

She took his hand and squeezed. “Yasin, I know you will never hurt me.”

“You cannot be sure of that. You cannot know.”