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He stopped a step away from her. ‘That’s all it is, Tilly. Do what you want with my body but that’s all I have to offer. I don’t want this marriage to last. I never want children. It’s a couple of weeks to get it out of our systems and then it’ll be done.’

He sounded as if he couldn’t wait for that to happen, which she could work with because she needed that too. Badly.

‘Get over yourself, Alex. I’m not going to fall in love with you just because you can make me come.’ But she wasn’t missing out on more of that experience with him.

‘Loudly. I can make you come very loudly.’

She resumed her inspection of her nails. ‘You sure about that?’

‘Oh.’

She glanced up and caught the sly smile curving his mouth.

‘Did you just issue me with a challenge, Tilly?’

‘I’ve practised being quiet for years. I’m very good at it.’

‘Don’t I know it.’ He cupped her face and tilted it back so she met his eyes. ‘Except you react to me. You bite back.’

She shrugged. ‘Sometimes.’

‘Every. Time. Henceforth.’ He bent and lifted her into his arms. ‘You’re about to come screaming my name, Tilly. I promise.’

She buried her face in his neck and breathed deep.

He chuckled. ‘Don’t think I don’t see you smiling about that.’

Chapter Eleven

Tilly melted more into his hold, pointlessly continuing to conceal the fact that she couldn’t stop smiling. She was literally floating. He was carrying her with apparent ease and it was shockingly arousing. She inhaled and with one huff of his scent was dizzy all over again. She was with Alex and he’d just made her feel incredible, and, while that was insane, she didn’t want to wake from the dream yet—didn’t want him flipping back to his cynical self. It would happen eventually, but when he finally reverted to type she would leave his life for good. But for now she wanted to rid herself of the crazy, inconvenient, amazing lust charging through her system again.

As he set her down to her feet, she swayed back towards him. With a soft chuckle he nudged her to lean back against the wall. ‘Feeling weak?’

No. Excitement streamed along her veins in a flurry of sparks about to burst into a full-blown bonfire. She glanced at the marble-lined bathroom then focused as he stepped out of his jeans. Wow. There was no way her smile was ever fading.

‘Determined to stay quiet?’ Amused, he flicked on the shower and tested the temperature. ‘Let’s see what I can do about that.’

The shower had multiple jets, massaging her body from several directions. Her breathing quickened as she watched him lather soap in his hands. Conflicting urges hit—to hide, shy about being so exposed, or to let him do anything he wanted. The moment his hands glided onto her skin, there was no decision necessary. Delight buzzed through her as he massaged her back, her breasts, her intimate curves, teasing her with too-gentle swirls followed by grazing kisses.

‘Your hair is beautiful.’ He stared down at her. ‘And you’re even more beautiful than I imagined.’

She ducked her head to hide the flush roaring through her but he traced the colour blooming across her chest with a light finger.

‘You don’t believe me?’

She’d never felt particularly wanted by anyone. That was partly why that stupid video had stung so much.

‘I can’t tell you how much you turn me on,’ he growled.

She could see, which was why she believed him.

‘Why no one before now, Tilly?’

She closed her eyes. ‘Don’t laugh at me.’

‘I’m not.’ He funnelled his fingers into her hair and lifted her head. ‘Has there really been no other guy?’

She shivered, unable to hide her reaction to his sweeping, light caresses. She wanted firmer, she wanted him to touch lower down again, but he was agonisingly slow and tender.