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Reminded of her earlier warning, he caught her hand and kissed her palm. ‘Tonight only, but it will be one you will remember for ever.’
CHAPTER NINE
IF THAT FIRST morning waking in Alessandro’s bed had been amazing, this morning was delicious. Charlie luxuriated against the warmth of his body like a kitten, content and sleepy. She lingered on the edge of sleep a moment longer, her back against his chest and his arms possessively keeping her close.
It was bliss and she didn’t want to wake and face the day. Their last day together, and after their night of hot passionate sex she wasn’t sure she wanted to begin the day. Birdsong drifted in through the open balcony doors and finally she opened her eyes to see the soft linen curtains stirring gently in the breeze.
It was like a dream, her body still singing from the hours of lovemaking, and now she felt safe. Loved. It was something she could get used to, but she mustn’t. Thoughts of love drifted perilously close to the surface and she pushed them aside, aware something had changed. Deep down she wanted to be loved, but her disastrous engagement made that almost impossible. This is just a weekend affair, she reminded herself sternly as his arms pulled her tighter against him.
‘Would you care to join me for a morning swim?’ His lips brushed against the back of her neck and a flutter of butterflies took flight in her stomach. She closed her eyes against the heady sensation, ignoring her doubts of moments ago. It was still the weekend and still time to enjoy this affair.
‘I don’t have anything to wear.’ She wished she did. The pool had looked inviting in the morning sun yesterday, but the thought of Sandro in it too made it infinitely better.
‘Not a problem.’ He kissed her ear and whispered to her, ‘We are totally alone; nobody can see us.’
She turned in his arms, her pulse rate leaping wildly at the thought of swimming naked with him. ‘Are you sure? No staff.’
‘No staff. Nobody except you and me.’ His words were heavy with accent and much more, making her body sing with desire she thought had long since been quenched.
He pulled her against him but she pushed at his chest with her hands, delighting in the chance to tease him again. ‘I thought you wanted to swim.’
‘I’ve changed my mind.’
In one swift move she leapt from the bed, the shock on his face making her laugh. Suggestively, she raised her brows. ‘Well, I’m going for a swim.’ Not wanting to pass up on the opportunity of such a luxurious pool, she rushed through the open balcony doors and down the stone steps that led to the pool. She glanced around briefly, checking they were as alone as he’d said, acutely aware she was still totally naked.
Without waiting to see if he followed, she dived into the cool blue water, glided forward then broke the surface. The sense of freedom was immense and she struggled to comprehend how just a bikini could hinder the feel of water against the skin. Only a short time ago she had been asleep but now her whole body was alive, invigorated by the cool water and the prospect of Alessandro joining her.
It was already warm. She swam to the end of the pool and, with her arms over the edge, looked out over Lake Garda as it stretched out below her. The sun’s morning rays cast a golden glow over the tree-covered hills and mountains and already she could see the ferries, like tiny white shapes on the water, as they started their daily cruises.
Behind her she heard a small splash and moments later felt the water ripple against her neck as Alessandro dived in. She smiled but continued to survey the view, waiting with anticipation for him to join her. Her body trembled and her heart rate soared as she heard his strong strokes through the water. Then he was beside her, his arms on the edge, looking at the view too.
Embarrassment filled her. Swimming naked was not something she had ever done before and yet here she was, naked in Alessandro’s pool. With breathing becoming difficult and her heart thumping hard, she needed to divert her attention, cool things down. She didn’t even dare look at him.
‘Stunning, isn’t it?’ She really couldn’t believe she was here, enjoying a weekend of total luxury with the sexiest man she’d ever met.
‘Semplicemente bellissimo.’ Whenever he spoke Italian she got shivers of excitement down her spine, but this time she was certain he wasn’t referring to the view and she turned to face him.
Shyness rushed over her at her nakedness and the hungry look in his eyes. She tried to mask it with bravado. ‘Race you.’ Without waiting to see if he’d taken up her challenge, she pushed away from the side of the pool, propelling herself through the water before beginning to swim back towards the villa.
