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He leaned back and chuckled. “You might say that.”
“Oh.”
It took a few seconds for her to fully wake up. He could tell she was still groggy as she looked around. “What are we doing in the bathroom?”
“You came in to take a hot bath. It’s been over an hour, so I was worried. I came to check on you.”
She looked down, seeming to register the water for the first time. “I’m naked.”
Santiago’s cheeks heated. “Ah, yes. You are.”
He expected her to cover herself, but she didn’t. Instead, she turned her head and looked him up and down. “Why aren’t you?”
Her question was so unexpected it knocked the thoughts right out of his head. “Um...what?”
“You heard me.” Her eyes were clear, all traces of sleep gone.
“I... I...” He was reduced to sputtering, his mind frantically trying to keep up with current events. Was he dreaming? Was he imagining things? Or had the blow to her head been so severe it had caused brain damage that was now manifesting in this unusual way?
Ainsley got to her feet and stepped out of the tub, totally unselfconscious about her nudity. She bent to pull the stopper, presenting Santiago with a view that nearly stopped his heart. His blood raced south, making it even harder to think.
She wrapped a towel around her body and took his hand. “Come on.” With a gentle tug, she pulled him into the bedroom.
“What is happening here?” he whispered as she pushed him down on the mattress.
She straddled his lap, pressing the heat of her core against the fly of his pants. “I’m tired,” she said, rubbing against him. The friction made his eyes roll back in his head, and he gasped for breath.
“The last few days have been so hard,” she continued. She licked the side of his neck, her tongue leaving a hot trail that immediately cooled in the air of the room. Goose bumps broke out across his skin and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
“I’m tired of hearing about pain. I’m tired of seeing people hurt each other. You’re a good man, Santiago. I know you don’t see it, but I do. I know we don’t have a future, but please, just give me tonight. Help me forget all of this, if only for a few hours.”
She cast off the towel, sending it to the floor. Then she took his hands and placed them on her breasts. Her nipples hardened against his palms, and his fingers curled reflexively to cup her.
Everything she said made sense, and echoed his own internal feelings about the retreat. He’d drawn comfort from her presence this week, but perhaps they could give each other more. Maybe she was right—maybe they could lose themselves in pleasure and forget about the world for a little while.
It wasn’t the smartest idea, at least where his heart was concerned. Santiago knew that if they slept together, he’d fall back in love with her again. Still, it was a price worth paying. And in a way, he owed her. He would have helped with her brother’s case even if she’d refused to attend the retreat. But she was here, and she’d suffered for her efforts. If he could help her he would, even though he knew it was going to cost him.
Still, he had to make sure they were on the same page. He wasn’t prepared to offer her something long-term. All he could do was give her tonight. She’d said she understood, but was that just her arousal talking? Or did she truly know he wasn’t good for anything but this impulsive encounter?
“Ainsley.” Thanks to the roar of blood in his ears, his voice sounded like it was coming from far away.
She leaned back, biting her bottom lip. “Mmm?”
God, she was beautiful! What was he going to ask again...?
She rocked against him and he couldn’t contain a moan of need. His thoughts were circling the drain, his brain on the verge of ceding control to his body. Think, he had to think while he still could!
Ainsley placed her hands over his, causing him to tighten his hold on her breasts. “What do you need?” she whispered, her breath hot against his ear.
With the last of his willpower, Santiago slipped his hands free and placed them on her hips, halting her movement. “Are you sure?”
She paused, and he took the opportunity to breathe. She’d asked what he needed from her, and the truth was, he had to know she was certain about this. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her, even inadvertently.
Seconds ticked by, feeling like an eternity. Then she shifted, wriggling back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have...you don’t want me.”
Santiago kept his hands where they were, knowing if he let her go he’d never get her back, not even as a friend. “That’s not it,” he said, hating the note of hurt he’d put in her voice. “That’s not it at all. I just want to make sure you’re going into this with a clear head.”
She looked at him, her blue gaze steady. “I know what I want. Do you?”
