My throat constricted. "I... that was just... just a one-night stand..."
"Just a one-night stand?" Something dangerous flickered in his voice. "Anna, tell me the truth. That night... didn't you enjoy it?"
"Yes!" I blurted out defensively, then immediately realized my mistake, my face flaming red.
A predatory gleam sparked in his eyes.
"So you're saying... you enjoyed it?" His voice dropped to a husky whisper, laden with dangerous promise.
I tried to bolt upright and flee, but he caught my wrist in an iron grip.
"Alexander, let me go—"
My protest was silenced by his mouth crashing down on mine.
His lips claimed mine with devastating intensity, forceful and searing. This wasn't a gentle kiss but one of pure possession, as if he intended to consume me entirely.
My mind went completely blank while my traitorous body melted into his embrace, instinctively responding to his hungry mouth.
Five years of suppressed longing exploded in that single moment. I found myself clutching his broad shoulders desperately, surrendering to the deepening kiss.
When he finally broke away, I was gasping for air, my legs threatening to give out entirely.
"That's your answer," he growled against my lips. "Your body can't lie to me."
His powerful arms encircled me, pulling me flush against his chest. I felt his hand slide from my waist, moving deliberatelylower...
"Alexander..." My voice came out as barely a whisper.
His hand cupped my bottom, fingers kneading the soft flesh through my swimsuit, drawing a muffled whimper from my throat.
"See?" he murmured against my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine. "You want this just as much as I do."
My face burned with mortification, but my body responded with shameless honesty to his touch. Five years of celibacy had left me hypersensitive to this kind of intimate contact.
"We can't... this is a public place..." I protested weakly.
"What about when we get home?" he asked, his lips brushing my earlobe with maddening lightness.
"Mommy! Alex!"
Sofia's voice rang out like a bucket of ice water, making us spring apart instantly.
I practically launched myself away from him, frantically smoothing my hair and adjusting my swimsuit, my face burning crimson.
Sofia bounded up to us, completely oblivious to what she'd interrupted. "What are you doing over here? I looked everywhere for you!"
"We were... we were just talking," I managed to stutter.
"About what?" she asked with innocent curiosity.
"Adult matters," Alexander replied smoothly, though I noticed his breathing was still uneven. "Did you have fun playing?"
"The best!" Sofia exclaimed. "I learned so much about swimming! All the other kids were super jealous that I have such an awesome... um..."
She paused, looking momentarily confused.
"Friend," Alexander supplied helpfully.
