A huge pane of glass separating the indoor from the outdoor section of the pool, let in the afternoon light as Alistair struggled for a rhythm, lap after lap. The automatic movements that always helped him empty his mind, that had always freed him from the memories that tormented him, were useless against the good memories flooding his mind. Even the water around him felt like Sophia’s smooth hands when she caressed his body under the shower.

The pool was too small to allow him the necessary tiredness. But that wasn’t all. He couldn’t get Sophia out of his head. He had noticed something strange in her. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. A resignation that didn’t bode well. At least, not for his plans.

He dived under the separation to emerge on the outside and appreciate the outstanding view of the Patagonian landscape.

* * *

Edward feigned horror and put his hand over his mouth. “So, now you know what I meant before, dominatrix.”

Sophia tenderly pushed a blond lock back from Edward’s forehead, running her fingers in his hair, and tugged the ends, frowning teasingly at him. “I’m going to whip your hide every day from now on, Edward.”

“Ah, mistress, you already do,” he mocked.

“Maybe I have to do it harder then.” She tugged his hair harder and then let it go. She sighed. “How can I be a dominatrix if he is a…dominant? A manipulator? A tyrant?”

“As if you weren’t as well, Sophia.” Edward smiled at her. “Well, I’ll partially agree with you. He is a consummate manipulator.”

Sophia’s lips twitched. “I was wondering whether you’d noticed.”

Sophia and Edward stopped their conversation as Felipe approached, saying, “That Jacuzzi looks good. Are you coming?” As Sophia shook her head, he took a seat beside her, looking at the steamy Jacuzzi with longing. “Have you decided to accept his proposal?”

Sophia sighed. “My answer is still no.”

“Let me tell you, Felipe,” Edward’s smile was impossibly naughty, “there’s precious little point in her trying to resist. Even if she weren’t already snared, he will do anything and everything he can to have her.”

“I’ve noticed that too.” Felipe chuckled as Sophia’s eyes rolled heavenward.

“Neither you, Sophia, nor Gabriela are able to resist his charms. You called him a tyrant. I don’t doubt he is,” Edward said, “but that’s probably just as well. You need someone to put you in your place. Now, if he wants to don his leather outfit and wield his whip to do it, that’s even better.” He put a hand over his heart and wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Get the picture?”

Sophia gasped, indignant.

Edward laughed, as did Felipe, not knowing that Edward’s teasing spoke of truth. 

“You are impossible, Edward. This is serious.”

“We are serious, Sis. No one, not even powerful Gabriel Leibowitz was able to completely dominate you. It wouldn’t be so bad if Alistair put you in your place, sometimes.”

Slowly, Sophia faced him, her eyes thin slits. “Let me tell you something, Brother. No one is going to put me in my place. I can be wooed and charmed. Dominated, never. Never.”

Felipe’s lips curled up. “It’s almost the same thing.”

“It’s completely different!”

Edward sighed. He understood what Felipe meant. He also knew Sophia was right. So he stood to put an end to what could be an unending discussion. “I’m going in the Jacuzzi. Are you coming?”

A movement in her peripheral vision made Sophia swallow her negative answer and forget about her surroundings.

Alistair’s sculpted torso appeared from the pool. He rose from the water, throwing his head back in a beautiful movement that made drops of water fly in the air and small rainbows appear as the sun shone through them.

Her mouth went dry. She had never seen a more sensuous and beautiful sight. She wanted to plunge her hands in his long wet hair, glide them down over his strong neck, broad shoulders, large chest, and flat washboard stomach.

No. He doesn’t tempt me. Not at all. She lowered her head and closed her eyes to the magnificent sight. You’re a liar, Sophia. You want this man with all your might!

“Join me.” The request came out like a command from his hoarse throat. Sophia did this to him. Just looking at her set him on fire.

Sophia opened her eyes and saw his bare feet almost touching hers in her H. Stern Havaianas. Her gaze wandered over his long, sinewy legs, hovering over his already semi hard arousal barely concealed by his Vilebrequin Moorea cut shorts.

Mmm. I want… Unconsciously, Sophia licked her lips. She wanted to be one of those pink octopuses imprinted on his shorts.

Her eyes climbed up his tapered waist where she liked to dig her nails in while he thrust into her, lingering over his luscious dark-pink mouth and ending up in his wondrous forest-green eyes.

He stood rigidly before her, his expression inscrutable.

Sophia. If you keep eyeing me like I am edible, I am going to drag you to my room and indulge you. Alistair could see her mind working on her expressive face. She was debating whether she should run or not.

For a long moment, he simply held her gaze, his own veiled, impossible to read. Then he held out his hand and repeated, “Join me.” I want to hold your slick body in my arms in the water.

I can’t. You are going to be mad if you see what I have done. From the corner of her eye, Sophia noticed that Edward and Felipe had moved to the far corner of the terrace and were entering the Jacuzzi, feigning blindness and deafness. She bit her lip as she carefully draped her hair over her back.

Alistair tsked and his mouth softened fleetingly as he lowered his teeth on his own bottom lip.

“You know what that does to me. If you stop biting your lip, I promise not to bite.” His green gaze remained intense, focused on her face. “Join me.”

Her eyes locked on his, she released her lip and shook her head, saying in a throaty voice, “I’ve already showered.”

He laughed and bent to whisper on her lips, “Liar.” He took her left hand and made her stand up. He placed her hand on his chest, running it down and stopped at the band of his shorts. “You know you wouldn’t resist me.”

She tried to free her hand from his.

He hesitated for a split second, before putting the tip of her index finger in his mouth, and slowly, so very slowly drew it out. “I see you’re still using our commitment ring.”

Her fingers closed in a fist and she looked down at the Cartier ring on her right hand. He had branded her as his. “Oh, yes, force of habit,” she murmured. Damn, caught red-handed.

As if you’d forgotten you were wearing the ring, Sophia. “You will not take it off,” he ordered.

Lord Tyrant. “Oh. No?” Sophia looked into his narrowed eyes, then mimicking his move, she narrowed her eyes and lifted her chin defiantly. “I’m not yours to be ordered.”

Not yet, you mean. “You will be,” he stated, frowning down at her. “Come with me. I have to grab a towel. I’m all wet.” I want you wet with me.

She shot him a resigned glance. Immediately, his arm went around her back and his hand possessively gripped her waist. Even though his touch had not been rough, she flinched.

“I’m sorry. Are you still sore?” He scanned her face. “How are the stitches? I’m taking you to a doctor. Immediately.”

Change the subject. Quickly. “I cannot marry you, Alistair Connor.”

Spare me stubborn wee lasses. He frowned, forgetting her pain as a more pressing matter presented itself. “Why not?”

Distractedly, she twirled her raven hair around her right hand. “We are too different.”

Really? What excuse are you concocting now? His frown turned dark. He started walking inside, and without thinking, Sophia followed. Differences are good. “Would you care to point out our unresolved differences, please?” He paused to pick up a towel to put around his neck and one around his waist.

Sophia didn’t pay attention as she was trying to think of an answer and continued walking. Okay. Let’s try another approach. “You’re a despot, an unmitigated tyrant, utterly used to having your own—”

“Jesus. Christ.”

His shocked and outraged gasp interrupted her.

She halted and looked over her shoulder. When she noticed that she’d turned her back to him and that it wasn’t covered by her long hair, it was too late.

She spun around, facing him, pushing her hair to cover her back. “It’s not what—”

“Fucking lie!” His muttered curse stopped whatever lame excuse she was planning on saying.

She put a hand on his chest trying to placate him. “Alis—”

“My. Room. Now!” Alistair hissed at her and gripped Sophia’s hand, dragging her through the hotel corridor.

She didn’t try to stop him. His jaw was set and it made him look like a gargoyle, albeit a sexy one.

She sighed as she tried to keep up with his large strides. Oh. How am I going to explain this?