Page 148 of Modern Romance December 2025 5-8

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked sharply.

She shook her head, an intent expression settling on her face as she traced the sharp angles of his face with the forefinger of her free hand. Then she arched her back to increase the delicious friction of their bodies.

His eyes were black as he turned his head, taking her palm and kissing it before catching her probing finger and drawing it into his mouth and sucking. His hands moved up and down her body before he lowered his head and kissed her, sliding his tongue between her parted lips.

This was no practised technique; it was all fire and raw need, and Amy felt as though she was burning up from the inside.

‘Open your legs for me,’ he urged throatily.

A hungry sound, half growl, half moan of longing, left her lips as he thrust into her willing heat. Her breath left her in one long sibilant hiss as her body stretched to accommodate him and hold him tight, her head flung back in sheer pleasure.

She could feel him plunging deep inside her, hot and hard, every cell aware of him. She moved as one with him, swiftly climbing to the peak with him and then leaping off the top with such a tumultuous freefall of sensation that she didn’t know where he began and she ended.

They lay sprawled on the sand, both breathing hard.

‘Don’t move,’ she begged when he began to roll off her.

He lifted his head and kissed her flushed cheek. ‘I have to—there are drinks before the party with a select few guests and my grandfather has arrived.’

He stood up in one fluid motion. She sighed dreamily. His body was a work of art, utterly perfect in every way.

‘And I suppose I should go back to work,’ she said, not moving.

He was fastening the clip on the waist of his shorts when he paused.

‘What is it?’ she asked, sensing his unease.

He paused but didn’t meet her eyes as he said, ‘I’m sorry if I hurt you.’

She suddenly just wanted to hug him—not in a sexual way but to provide comfort. ‘I’m really not so fragile.’

He gave a half nod and felt a rush of relief. Lust had never taken him over so totally before and the idea of hurting her was more painful than a knife blade.

‘You didn’t hurt me, but maybe I hurt you?’ She rose from the sand and stood behind him, running her finger along the small, raised crescents on the satiny skin of his muscled back, from her fingernails clutching him in sheer ecstasy. ‘I don’t think I broke the skin, though.’

‘My little cat.’ He turned and caught her in his arms and kissed her, hard and hungry.

‘You’re the one purring,’ she retorted, wading through the sand to where her bikini top had landed. ‘Where are my…? Thanks,’ she said as he handed her the bottom half of her bikini.

He watched her slide the bottoms over her slim, shapely thighs while he struggled with what to say. He never usually shared, he never explained, but it was a concession of sorts. ‘Just to warn you, Sophia will also be at the pre-party drinks.’

Amy felt a pressure in her chest as she adjusted the string ties of her bikini bottoms.

The long beat of silence lengthened.

‘Listen, Amy, I…’

‘Is this some sort of test?’ She rounded on him.

‘No, of course not.’

‘Then why did you tell me that?’ And spoil a perfect moment.

‘Dio, but I can’t win with you, can I? You wanted me toshare.’

‘You call that sharing?’ She hooted. ‘Rubbing in the fact that you’ll be upstairs withSophiawhile I’m cooking her dinner in the kitchen.’ She managed a shrug. ‘Well, the joke’s on you. The kitchen is actually where I prefer to be.’

‘Yes, I know you are queen there. As for Sophia, our paths may have crossed, but we have never been lovers. I’m not her type.’