Page 36 of Always

But this time, Anika wouldn’t indulge her thoughts.

She firmly closed off that part of her mind.

She focused on the cool water, the gorgeous green jungle, the brilliant beads of water in Marco’s dark hair.

She kissed him again, wrapping her legs tight around his waist.

She could feel his cock pressing against her, seeking the warmth of her body. He slipped inside of her, his hands gripping her waist. He was treading water, holding her up, and she was gently bobbing up and down, riding him, allowing the movement of the water to dictate the pace.

They sunk beneath the water, still locked together. Marco kissed her, the water blocking out all sight and sound, except for the feeling of his lips on hers, his arms holding her close, their legs entwined.

They popped back up to the surface, gasping for air. Then they

swam to the far side of the pool where it was easier to climb out. Marco helped boost her up the slippery rocks.

There, in a sun-warmed spot, Anika lay back and Marco mounted her, water still streaming down his taught, tanned body while he rode her.

She wouldn’t close her eyes. She focused on the brilliant sun on his skin, on the feeling of his strong, eager body thrusting against hers again and again. When she felt the orgasm building inside of her, she would only allow herself to look at Marco.

His green eyes were full of arousal at the sight of her bare, wet breasts, the nipples pebble-hard from swimming. He cupped her breasts in his warm hands as he continued to thrust into her, harder and harder.

Anika thought,This man wants you. He wants to be here with you.

When the surge of pleasure rushed through her, it was only from Marco. It was his hungry expression, and the feeling of his body taking possession of hers.

After they had finished, they lay in the sun until they were almost dry—they had forgotten to bring towels—and then they walked round the pool to retrieve their clothing and shoes from off the rocks. Anika couldn’t find her swimsuit top, so she just pulled on her top again with nothing underneath.

Anika was feeling happy and peaceful, buoyed up by the endorphins surging through her body, and the singular beauty of the remote and private spot.

She was pleased with herself for not falling into bad habits again.

She wanted to make a new start with Marco – not repeat the mistakes of her last few relationships, where she’d allowed herself to become…distracted.

When they were ready to walk back to the car, Marco stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“You know,” he said, “I’ve never brought anyone here before.”

“It’s unbelievable,” Anika said. “Like its own little world. It’s lucky no one else has found it yet—or not many people, anyway.”

“I wanted to see how it would feel to have you here with me,” Marco said, “in my favorite place. And it felt exactly as I imagined. It felt right.”

Anika smiled back at him, but she found herself at a loss as to what she should say in return. She wished she could be as effusive as Marco. His compliments were so kind, they made her heart flutter in her chest.

Yet, for some reason, she couldn’t quite match his level of emotion. There was a part of her that seemed determined to hold back. Because she still didn’t know him enough to trust him completely, or because she had made too many mistakes in love. Or because, despite her best efforts, a tiny part of her was still longing for someone else.

Marco didn’t seem to mind her silence. He was patient, and persistent.

“I do love you, Anika,” he said again, looking at her seriously. “It wasn’t something I said impulsively last night. I brought you here on purpose to say it. I love you.”

His dark green eyes were just the color of the water in the pool. They were holding her fast in his gaze, pleading with her to say those words back to him. But she couldn’t.

Why not, why on earth not?

They were in paradise together, every moment of the trip had been perfect. She liked his company, and she had thoroughly enjoyed what had happened between them the previous night, and again just now.

But she wasn’t in love, not quite yet. Marco was handsome, and charming, and highly determined. Yet she still had that sense that what she was seeing was what Marco wanted her to see. She had never caught him in an unguarded moment where he hesitated, or misspoke, or made a fool of himself in some way.

Seeing her reluctance to respond, Marco said, “You don’t have to say anything now. I know it’s fast. Just know that you make me very happy.”

---