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Her suitcase had arrived in her room before she had—a testament to just how efficiently everything moved in Damion’s world..
She found the Lycra unitard she’d used in Paris and quickly slipped it on. Feeling adequately covered, she slipped her feet into a pair of ballerina pumps and made her way downstairs.
She caught Damion’s frown long before she descended the gloriously curved staircase.
‘That is not a swimsuit,’ he rasped, displeasure in his voice.
‘Sorry to disappoint. If you expect me to parade in front of you in a skimpy number, it’s not going to happen. I don’t own a swimsuit.’ She’d burned them all in a dark haze a month after the accident. And she didn’t regret the decision.
‘I can—’
‘No. I’m sure you have a whole wardrobe full of bikinis tucked away somewhere in this vast place, but I’ll pass, thanks. This is an all-purpose outfit. It’ll do for whatever it is you have in mind.’
His gaze drifted over her and Reiko found out very quickly that the tungsten-laced outfit was no match for the heated intensity in Damion’s eyes. Feeling her nipples peak and heat pool between her legs again, she shifted restlessly.
‘Damion …’
‘Alors, let’s go,’ he commanded, his voice deeply husky.
He took her hand and led her behind the left staircase. They descended several steps and ended up in front of a large black-painted door.
‘You’re taking me to the dungeon?’
His smile held a wealth of dark promise. ‘Not just yet.’
The door opened into a small but well-lit hallway. Limestone walls and grey floor slates echoed the sound of their passage as he led her deeper underneath the château.
After several twists and turns, they passed underneath a stone arch and emerged into an enclosed space. At first she didn’t see it because she was too captivated by the sight of Damion’s broad shoulders. When she managed to prise her gaze away, Reiko gasped at the stunning sight before her.
The pool was surrounded on three sides by hanging foliage and lit underneath so the water glowed a soft, mesmerising aqua. The faint rush of water reached her ears, and she turned left to see a small inlet from where the pool flowed. Next to it stood a large wooden bench and a stone table that held a stack of towels.
The place was simply … perfect.
‘Ready?’
Damion had stripped to swimming trunks. What little breath she’d retained immediately evaporated. At her jerky nod, he took her hand and led her down the shallow stone slabs into the water.
‘It’s warm!’
‘It’s a thermal pool that flows from the mountain. It isn’t always warm. I had special heating rods placed in so it stays warm all year round.’
He pulled her to him and turned her round, so her back was tucked against his front. He leaned against the side and trailed his lips over her ear. Despite the renewed charge of desire, Reiko could already feel the healing powers of the water working wonders on her body. Relaxing further into him, she sighed with pleasure.
‘Thank you for this. It’s just perfect.’
He kissed her jaw. ‘You’re welcome. But you still have work to do. Put your arms around my neck.’
She reached back and linked her arms behind his neck. Her exposed position stirred the beginnings of vulnerability. She wasn’t foolish enough to dismiss the sexual power Damion had over her. With a single touch he could make her shed all common sense and more. Already her breasts had grown heavy, and her breath snagged in her chest as his hands drifted down over her thighs.
But he was all business. He reached down and pulled her knees up to her chest. Immediately the muscles in her back stretched and started to release their tightness. Slowly he repeated the movement, taking instruction from her and expertly putting her through her paces.
After almost forty-five minutes, she performed her last stretch. He turned her around in his arms.
‘Are you okay?’ His face held concern.
She smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I’m not going to shed tears all over you.’
‘Bien sûr. That is good to know. And before you say it, oui, I’m agitated.’
