Page 40 of The Wedding Pact

But as we’re heading in pretty much a straight line back to the hotel, there’s very little chance for me to get ahead of her now.

She makes it back before I do and is already standing on the sand by the time I reach the shallows.

I wade out of the water, letting the instructor lift the seabob out of the ocean and put it next to Ida’s and his own.

It feels weird to be last.

But all I can do is suck it up.

‘Well done,’ I say, pressing my mouth into a smile as I walk up to her on the beach. I’m not pissed off with her, more with myself. Though I’ve no real reason to be.

I guess I just really wanted her to see me being great at this and respecting me for it.

Not that I need anyone’s approval.

I’m happy with my status in the world.

But it would have been pleasing to win.

‘Thanks,’ she says, clearly trying to suppress a grin of superior satisfaction. She folds her arms in front of her and I can’t help but notice how it pushes her amazing breasts higher. I’ve been trying very hard not to look at her in her swimming costume and keep my gaze on her face at all times, but this manoeuvre breaks my resolve not to look.

She has an incredible body. Fit and curvy. Beautiful.

My pulse picks up and I feel myself get hard.

Why is this turning me on so much?

I really need to rein in these feelings and pull it together.

‘Let’s get back and change, shall we? I’m hungry,’ I bite out, acutely aware of how rough my voice sounds.

I wonder if she’s speculating about exactly what I’m hungry for.

I hope to God I’m not being that transparent. The last thing I want is for her to feel uncomfortable around me.

A small frown of confusion passes over her face, but she quickly rearranges her features into a smile. ‘Sure. Me too. Let’s go.’

Letting out a covert breath, I turn to thank our instructor, then head with her back across the hot sand towards our villa – and more alone time together.

* * *

Ida

I’m ridiculously pleased to have beaten Raffa at the race back to the shore.

I know it’s kind of childish, but the look on his face when I sped off in front of him was an absolute picture and it kept me smiling all the way back to the beach.

He’s clearly not used to losing at anything, and this small win has left me with a buzz of adrenaline which is making my heart leap about in my chest.

For the first time, I feel a sense of dominance over him.

We walk in silence back to our villa, his arm swinging close to mine as we stroll along the narrow wooden decking across the water. My skin prickles at our close proximity, sending crackling little currents of need along my nerves.

The noise from the seabob’s engine and the rushing of the water has left a ringing in my ears, but this quietens as we get closer to the villa.

Once there, we walk inside and Raffa shuts the door behind us then turns to look at me.

I’m standing in the middle of the living area, waiting for him.