He sits back, looking across the glimmering pools. “So, are you glad you came with me?”
I blink. “To Morocco? Or here?”
“Both. I’m glad you could rearrange your plans.” He picks up the empty tubs and packs them in his bag once more. I watch his strong hands, the way the muscles in his arms move.
It’s strange how things have changed so quickly. A couple of weeks ago I was convinced my boyfriend was about to propose. Now it seems like that happened to someone else, a faint shadow of the intensity I’m feeling right now, sitting with Myles. I think about what Eloise said, how she would be destroyed if Anwar had messed her around the way Dean did me. I wasn’t sure what she meant, at the time. But now I think I’m beginning to understand. I hug my knees, not knowing what to do with myself.
“What happened to you, Zara?” Myles’s voice is so gentle, softer than I’ve ever heard it. “I know something did, just before we came here. Are you all right?”
I bite my lip. I want to tell him, I realise. Feel as though he might understand, more than anyone. I don’t want to think about why.
“I had a boyfriend. Or, at least, I thought I did.” I trace circles with my finger on the warm rock, not looking at Myles. “But it turned out he was seeing someone else as well. Sorry… I shouldn’t really be telling you this.”
“I asked.” Still so gentle.
“We were supposed to meet up, on Wednesday. I thought he was going to… I thought things were getting serious. But they weren’t. He asked if I wanted to be in an open relationship. He was already in one, but I didn’t know.” A giggle escapes, I can’t help it, at how ridiculous it is. I clap my hand over my mouth.
“He sounds like an idiot.”
“Pretty much sums him up, to be honest. I don’t know what I was thinking.” I try to sound flippant, but my voice catches.
Myles doesn’t say anything for a moment. A muscle flexes in his lean jaw. Then he looks at me, more intense than I’ve ever seen him. “I’m not telling you what you should or shouldn’t do, because it’s none of my business. But I hope you know your worth. Any man would be lucky to have you. And only you.”
Before I can respond he stands and dives into the water, clean and beautiful. I watch him for a moment, then pull off my cover-up and jump in.
Myles
My arms cleave the water as I swim, trying to put some distance between me and Zara. I had to jump in the water, had to get away from her before I did something I knew I’d regret. Before I moved too quickly.
I don’t know her boyfriend, but he was a fool. How anyone could treat her like that is beyond me. I needed to get away before I pulled her to me and showed her how I felt, what I would give her, if she only said the word. I have to be sensible, to stick to the plan.
But, when I turn to see her swimming towards me, I can’t help myself.
I duck beneath the surface of the water, emerging close to her. She squeals with laughter, her head going back.
My arm goes around her waist, and I pull her with me, towards where a waterfall plunges into the pool, a curtain of glassy green. Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t push me away.
Quite the opposite. She fits her body more closely with mine, one slender arm coming around my neck. She relaxes against me as we glide through the water and, even though there are other people here, it feels as though it’s just us. The water deepens, shading to an intense greenish blue, the waterfall thundering a few feet away from us.
“This place is wonderful,” she says. Her lips are so close to mine, our bodies held together as we float, suspended in beauty.
“It’s wonderful to be able to share it with you.”
The sun is sinking lower, sparking a thousand golden points of light from the water. It’s as though we’re in a sea of stars. They reflect in her eyes, glimmering in her brown gaze. Up close, her eyes are the colour of melted chocolate, her long lashes clumped together with water. Beautiful, like everything else about her. She gazes at me, a faint smile curving those kissable lips. I would give my entire fortune to know what she’s thinking right now.
“I’ll remember this moment for ever.” Her voice is breathy. Her other arm comes around my neck, her breasts pressing against me.
“So will I,” I say. It’s not a lie.
Her lips part. I can feel her breath on mine. I lean closer, tightening my arms around her.
Then water splashes over us, accompanied by the sound of laughter. Two young boys have jumped from the cliff at the same time, landing near us and splashing us. Zara can’t stop laughing, letting go of me to wipe her face, then swimming back towards the shallower water. I swim after her, conscious of the throb in my groin, the absolute fierce need I have to peel her bathing suit from her, to kiss the soft flesh at the top of her thighs, to bury myself in her. I would give everything I have for a chance to do so. I want this woman, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything.
She pulls herself onto the rock and perches there like a mermaid. I stay in the water a bit longer, trying to calm my raging hard-on.
She smiles at me, and my heart opens. I can literally feel it, in my chest.
“We should go soon, if we want to get back for dinner.” Such prosaic words as I float beneath her, looking up as though she is a goddess and I’m her worshipper, caught in her watery shrine.
