Chapter 158

Olivia

The night air was cool against my skin as we made our way back to the pool. The water was illuminated from below, casting an ethereal blue glow across the terrace. Without a word, Alexander pulled his shirt over his head and stepped out of his shorts, diving naked into the water.

He surfaced, pushing wet hair from his eyes. “Coming in?”

I hesitated only briefly before slipping my sundress over my head and unhooking my bikini top. Alexander’s eyes never left me as I slid the bottoms down my legs and stepped to the edge of the pool.

I slipped into the water, gasping slightly at the contrast with the cool night air. Alexander’s arms immediately encircled me, his body warm against mine beneath the surface.

“Cold?” he asked, pulling me closer.

“Not anymore,” I replied, wrapping my legs around his waist as he backed us toward the edge of the pool.

His lips found mine in a hungry kiss, hands roaming freely over my wet skin. I gasped as his fingers slid between my thighs, teasing and exploring.

“Alexander,” I breathed against his mouth. “Let’s go inside.”

“Why?” he asked, nipping gently at my bottom lip. “No one can see us here.”

“But-”

“Trust me,” he whispered, his fingers continuing their skilled manipulation. “Let go. I’ve got you.”

And I did trust him, I realized with sudden clarity. I trusted Alexander Carter completely at this moment.

So I let go, surrendering to the sensation of his hands and mouth as the stars twinkled overhead and the waves crashed against the shore below.

Later, wrapped in plush robes in the master suite, we sat on the terrace with glasses of champagne. Alexander looked relaxed, his hair still damp from our swim, his expression softer than I was used to seeing at the office.

my legs beneath me on the outdoor sofa. “Was this getaway planned,

both,” he admitted. “I’ve had my eye on this property for

the way,” I couldn’t

“To my brilliant wife, who charmed the notoriously difficult

“And to my husband, who knows

drank in companionable silence for a

“Alexander?” I said finally.

“Hmm?”

this weekend. It’s exactly what I

my hand. “You’re welcome, Liv.

his hand, wondering if he felt

if reading my thoughts, Alexander pulled me closer on the sofa, wrapping an

agreed, resting my head against

ends of my hair. “I should mark

laughed, pinching his side playfully. “Don’t push your luck, Mr.

Carter.” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

the ocean providing a soothing backdrop to our comfortable silence. And for the

felt real, whatever “this”

of the weekend passed in a blissful blur of swimming, sunbathing, amazing meals, and passionate nights. By Sunday afternoon, I felt like a different person,

we packed the car to head back to the city, I took one last look at the stunning view. “Can we come back

make a few calls, reserve it

snapped my fingers, mimicking his

like that,” he confirmed, pulling me into his arms for

starting to

peaceful, the coastline stunning in the late afternoon sun. I found myself dreading our return to reality, to the office politics, family obligations, and the complicated web of half–truths we

about?” Alexander asked, glancing over at me. “You

to break the

them,” he suggested. “Take

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