“No.”
“I gave you my special salve,” he points out. “That was a friendly thing to do.”
“Yes.” He could have let me suffer. “Though you were the cause of my punishment in the first place.” Let’s not forget that particular detail.
The curve of his mouth loses shape. After a moment, he nods. “I was, and for that, I’m sorry.”
How little his sincerity moves me. “Please leave. I’m sure Harper is eagerly awaiting your return.” A shiver puckers my skin beneath the water.
Still holding the soap, he begins to round the pool toward me, his boots soundless on the damp stones.
“What are you doing?” When he does not slow, I move toward the center of the pool to avoid being cornered, my entire body submerged save my head and neck. The water ripples with my movements, but it cannot hide my shape, the curves I display for no one but myself. “Stay away.”
“Regardless of what you believe you feel toward me,” he goes on, completely disregarding my stuttering command, “I am certain that the attention I pay to Harper irks you.” His golden curls catch the light, and for a moment, I swear his face changes shape. “But why would you care, I wonder?”
“I don’t.” Zephyrus is free to flirt with whomever he wants. I hold no claim to his affection.
With every purposeful stride, he nears. My throat tightens. He will see. It is forbidden, but he will see.
“Why?” I whisper. “Why do you torment me so?”
After removing his boots, Zephyrus lowers himself onto the ledge, hangs his legs into the water. “Because you intrigue me,” he says, “and I want to know why.”
He slides fully clothed into the pool.
My back hits the rocks. Indecision winds through me and tightens to the point of pain. “You would touch a woman against her will?”
The West Wind’s eyes darken. “Never against her will. Never without her permission.” He says, “Tell me to go, and I will.”
“I’ve already told you,” I grind out.
“I’ll need you to repeat it, I think. My memory isn’t the best.” He tosses me an impish grin.
I stare into the water. “If you please—”
“Look at me.”
I’m helpless to do otherwise. What power is this, that I cannot even control my own mind? “You can’t be here,” I whisper. If Harper were to see…
“Can’t I? Let your mind open. Let it experience the vast range of possibilities.” Pushing off the wall, he glides through the water. Another step closer brings him within arm’s reach. The water warms between us, as though he carries sunlight in his grasp. His soaked tunic clings to his contoured chest, the lean strength of his arms.
“Your gaze is bold today.”
My face heats. I glance away, but only for an instant. “I apologize,” I stammer, “for staring. I did not realize…”
His lips curve. They are like soft pink petals, concealing those pretty white teeth.
“Do not apologize for what you desire, Brielle.”
Look at him. His muscular neck; the wet, curling tips of his hair; the hint of stubble along his jaw; the lovely dusk of his skin.
“If I might offer a suggestion?” He all but purrs.
“Is the suggestion,” I whisper, tongue darting out to lick the water from my lips, “that you will leave me to bathe in peace?”
He tracks my tongue with his gaze. “Quite the opposite, actually.”
That stare unnerves me. It takes every effort not to break it. “Well?”
