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I did. Until my muscles strained and burned. Until I thought my limbs would fall off and float away. Lap after painful lap. Until finally, my mind cleared.
When I finished, I hopped onto an in-pool lounger, closing my eyes, not bothering to dry off. The unforgiving wind licked my body. My nipples hardened to the point of numb.
A pool of water dripped from my hair to the deck. I shaped my lips around a line of a song I listened to every night in my bunk bed in Seoul.
The ribs aren’t a cage. They’re the walls to your home.
I drew a shaky breath, pushing aside the melancholy.
You’re living on borrowed time, Fae.
I refused to give Constance the pleasure of ruining this for me.
But what if she’s right?a tiny voice in my conscience asked.What if you’re hurting him?
The seed sprouted in my mind, planting roots in my chest.
And what of yourself? This man will inflict carnage on your heart. A victory against your evil stepmother isn’t worth that.
Just the idea of Eileen in one of those poofy wedding dresses churned acid in my stomach.
How would I cope when the time came to part ways with my personal demon?
“Octi.” His soothing voice draped over me like a cashmere blanket.
Every muscle in my body tightened, but I kept my eyes closed. His steady footsteps neared, clapping against the heavy granite deck.
Beneath my bikini top, my nipples strained and my heart missed a dozen beats. The mere sound of him made heat swirl inside my stomach.
Still, I refused to show him how happy I was that he’d returned.
“What are you doing out here? It’s freezing.”
Is it? I can’t feel much of anything other than my desire for you.
“Do you want to catch pneumonia?” he growled.
“You’re not my parent.”
“No, but I’m the closest thing to a family you have right now.” His voice softened. “Look at me.”
I opened my eyes.
He was painful to look at. Too beautiful, with his raven hair and tar eyes and devastating bone structure.
“Where have you been?” I couldn’t keep the bite out of my voice.
Zach treaded toward me, dripping power and wealth in dark gray slacks and a navy cashmere sweater tucked under a black peacoat.
“I had some meetings in D.C.” He shoved his hands deep inside his pockets,his eyes roaming my body.
“At eleven at night?”
Not your business, I reminded myself.
I had to stop.
Ineededto stop.
