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He’d not only taken her, he’d taken her innocence without protection.
Dio mio.
He’d handed her everything she needed to destroy him. He wasn’t a wet-behind-the-ears schoolboy, so how could he have been so monumentally stupid? Acrid bitterness wove through him, enough to make him bunch his fists as he sorted through his shaken thoughts. Was this what had driven his father, too? Desire so strong common sense had ceased to exist?
Unwilling to dwell on his father right now, he returned to Violet.
The women he usually sl
ept with had two modes of post-coital interactions—sultry invitations for a repeat performance or, more usually, a gentle probing as to how soon they could once again grace his presence.
One look at her showed Violet was far from exhibiting either of those cloying signs. If anything, she was in a tearing hurry to dress, her movements clumsy as she secured her bra and panties.
Momentarily arrested by her beauty and disarmed by the thought of never experiencing sex with her again, it took a moment to realise she was glaring at him.
‘If you’re worried this is some scheme to trap you, don’t. I’m on the Pill.’
The relief he should’ve felt was...minimal, stunning him anew at his actions tonight. He shuddered to think what else would surprise him.
He’d never dared a woman into sleeping with him, for starters.
When several indicators had pointed to her innocence, he’d still forged ahead. He gritted his teeth at the unfortunate pun, instantly reminded of her snug, mind-melting heat.
‘Why am I surprised that you’re freezing me out?’ she accused. ‘Everything you said was a lie, wasn’t it?’ she threw at him, refocused, affront coating every word.
‘I don’t believe I’ve even uttered a word,’ he returned, attempting to gather the control that’d shattered into a million pieces.
‘Believe me, your body language speaks volumes.’
‘And what is it saying exactly that has you so riled up?’
Dark blue eyes sparked flames at him. ‘Don’t patronise me. What happened to “what happens between us stays between us”?’
He shrugged. ‘Have I done anything to indicate otherwise?’
‘You’re not already wondering if this wasn’t some sort of trick that I performed on you?’
Since he’d thought exactly that, and he wasn’t about to admit it, he merely shrugged.
‘You’re unbelievable.’
‘You said you’re on the Pill. I’ll return the favour by saying you have nothing to risk healthwise from being with me. But your overly emotional reaction is...concerning.’
His icy delivery stopped her cold. Her eyes widened with apprehension as she stared at him.
‘Whatever happens after this please promise me that this isn’t when you decide to pay me back for what we both indulged in by ruining my life. My work is the most important thing in my life.’
Fresh shock unravelled through him. Did she really think him that callous? ‘I gave you my word and I intend to keep it.’
For a moment after she’d slid off the rock and stepped into the water, she searched his features.
Zak wanted to lower his gaze, evade whatever it was that she was looking for. Because he wasn’t thinking straight. Probably hadn’t since he’d got into the helicopter to come here.
Slowly, he let the ruthlessness his ancestors were renowned for, the ruthlessness some had accused him of, fill his veins.
What was done was done.
He’d slept with Violet Barringhall, despite his intention to stay away from temptation. He still craved her, if truth be told. Even now as she determinedly swam away from him and surged out of the lake towards where she had left the rest of her clothes, he couldn’t drag his eyes away from her curvaceous body.
