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I obey. I get out of the car. She follows me, slams the door shut and pushes me against it. She kisses me hard. Her tongue invades my mouth while her hands roam over my body. She pulls up my shirt, squeezes my breasts. She pinches my nipples, making me moan.

She breaks the kiss to look at me. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?”

I smirk. “I know I am.”

She growls and kisses me again. She bites my lip until I taste blood. I don’t care. I want her to mark me, to claim me, to fuck me.

But then she pulls back, her eyes shining with mischief. “Skinny dipping.”

I stare at her, confused. “What?”

“You heard me,” she says, and starts taking off her clothes. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

I watch her strip. It causes my mouth to water. She’s wearing a black lace bra and matching panties, and she looks so fucking gorgeous. Golden skin and a perfect body, hair in messy tumbling waves.

I want to touch her, to taste her, but first I’ll have to catch her.

“Are you coming?” she asks, unclasping her bra and letting it fall to the ground. I bite my lip.

“Fuck yeah.” I start undressing too.

We leave our clothes on the ground. The air is cool on our bare skin. We just look at each other for a moment like it’s the first time. I can’t get enough of her.

And then Valentina laughs, turns around, and runs toward the sea. I chase after her, feeling the sand under my feet and the wind in my hair. We run until we reach the water and then dive in.

The shock of cold water wakes me up and feels amazing. I feel alive. Free. I swim toward Valentina, who’s waiting with a grin.

When I reach her she pulls me close. I feel her warmth, her softness, her curves. I wrap my legs around her waist while she holds me up. We kiss and taste the salt, the sea, and each other.

I know with certainty that there’s no other place I’d rather be than here, with her, now.

CHAPTER 25 – Alycia

Wednesday, November 12

I’ve been preparing for this moment for months. The press conference is going to be tough, but I’m ready.

I have my mom, Patricia, and Carmen by my side, and I have the truth on my side. I also have a copy of the disclosure I signed in July in front of me, and I’m not afraid to use it.

The room is packed with reporters. It feels hostile, but I can also see curiosity and skepticism among the crowd.

I don’t care. I’m here to set the record straight. And to continue exposing Declan.

“Good morning, everyone,” I start. “As you all know, there have been some serious allegations made against me and I’m here to address them. First of all, I want to make it clear that I’m not here to make excuses or to justify my actions. I’m here to take responsibility, and to tell the truth.”

I pause to look at the bullet points I prepared for my speech. I’ve written this statement for other people more times than I can count. It reads differently when the name at the top is yours.

“I’m sure you’ve all seen this morning’s article.”

I nod at Patricia, who holds it up. We made sure not to hide from anything.

“Dawnbreak’s pregnant marketing director and the coach—who’s really running workplace relationships?” I read out loud for everyone to hear. “It’s a very good question that deserves an honest answer. I won’t lie, my relationship with Raul Reyes is complicated, and so was how it started. But I want to assure you that it’s not inappropriate, unethical, or unprofessional. Raul and I respect each other, and keep our personal and professional lives separate. We don’t let our relationship interfere with our work. We have clear boundaries.

“We also have the full support of the club, the owner, and the board. They know about us, and they’ve known since before I signed the contract with them. They trust us.”

I look at Mom, who nods and gives me a thumbs up.

“As for the timeline of our relationship,” I continue, “I’m going to be very direct: it’s none of your business. My private life is my own, and I don’t have to share every detail of it with the public, especially not with the kind of accusations that have been thrown at me. All I can say is that it’s not what some of you have been implying. Neither of us has anything to be ashamed of. We’re happy and healthy, excited to figure out our future together.”