Chapter Eighty-Five: Not Easy

Today has been challenging for me. It isn't easy to keep my hands off Alyssa. My urge to fuck her repeatedly is intense, but I can't. Not yet. She needs to rest and allow her body to recover from last night. Wearing a bikini is only making my problem worse. It would have been better if she'd worn something else; she's too much of a distraction.

She's basking in the sunshine on one of the loungers. I made sure she applied plenty of sunscreen. She has a cocktail beside her, which I prepared. I'm quite skilled at making cocktails. I got bored one day and took a class. As it turned out, I have a natural talent.

I get out of the pool and walk over, standing in front of her without blocking the sun.

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough sun?”

She opens her eyes, groaning. “I am fine, now, please move.”

She closes her eyes, waiting for me to move. I don't. I crawl over her, towering above her. She looks up at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Can I help you?”

“You should either go indoors for a bit or join me for a swim,” I say, reaching down and tracing my lips along her jawline.

She moans softly, “You made sure I was well-protected. I can handle being out here a bit longer.”

“Fine, but we will be heading inside soon. Tonight, we’re going out for dinner.”

“Ve and? Since when?” she asks.

I graze my lips against hers, yet abstain from kissing her. It’s enough to make her whimper. I finally cover her hip with mine and give her a gentle kiss. She smiles, her arms snaking around my neck, kissing back. I rest my hand on her cheek, deepening the kiss. Her body shudders under me. I smirk, pull away, and jump to my feet.

“Come for a swim, kitten. I’m not asking anymore—I’m telling you.”

She swiftly stands up.

“Good girl,” I wink, taking her hand in mine, and lead her towards the pool.

She slips into the water, and I climb in after her. Instead of swimming, she leans against the wall. I move closer, placing my hands on either side of her head.

“This is not swimming.”

Alyssa pulls me closer by hooking her fingers into my swim shorts, pressing our bodies tightly together. She traces her fingers over my bare chest. “Give me a minute.”

She closes my eyes. She dips her fingers into my shorts, trailing them over my… longer, a low, rumbling growl escapes my throat. Alyssa giggles, slips away from my grasp, and swims off.

This is her way of getting back at me for what I did earlier. I chuckle and shake my head. She’s anticipating my retaliation, but not yet. I’ll save that for later when she least expects it.

She reaches her side of the pool, resting against the wall. She’s waiting for me to go after her; I know her well. I emerge from the pool and casually walk inside. Alyssa watches my every move. She won’t be too far away from me.

I wrap a towel around myself before starting a new pursuit. A few minutes later, Alyssa enters the kitchen.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

Alyssa doesn’t look surprised. It’s a familiar power play for her; she should be used to it by now. I give her a charming smile, then switch the coffee to tea. I smirk. She murmurs something behind me; I can’t understand it, but she’s winding me up. I don't mind that. Alyssa sits down, patiently waiting for me. I pin her under my gaze.

When are we going out tonight?

“My friend’s place. He just opened recently, and I haven’t had a chance to try it yet.”

She sends me a nod and a smile, then takes a sip of her coffee. Smiling is her thing.

“Yes. It’ll be a bit…intense,” she says, her hand on my arm.

She laughs at the understatement.

I am mindful of your words.

I chuckle. “You deserved that, kitten. You will learn that the bond was…”

She mills her chin. “So you keep winning.”

“… a matter of your words and behavior. The more you behave like this, the more…”

“…the sons will follow.” She isn’t overtly challenging, but she’s using this to keep me at bay.

The smiles linger but act as a challenge. We will have a couple of hours before we must leave for dinner. I grab my cell phone to contact my friend; I need a reservation.

I dial the number and press the call button. He picks up after just a few rings.

“It has been a while.” Oliver greets me.

“It has been, but I know we’ve both been busy.”

“Yes, we have. What can I do for you?” he asks.

“Is there any chance you have a table for me and my…friend tonight?”

God, that still sounds strange calling her that.

“Did you…get a girlfriend?”

You can clearly hear the shock in his voice. His reaction makes me laugh.

Casa Attales brightly shines from across the counter. I can’t help but remind myself…

We chatted briefly, then ended the call. I place my cell phone down and contemplate Alyssa.

“You contacted him like that, huh?” she asks, expressing a mixture of surprise and amusement.

Dinner at a great chef's restaurant. He's always been in the top ten in the city. A really exclusive and expensive place. My friend owns it.

… but he’s made a reservation. An amazing place, really.

Altogether, we agreed on a day-trip home. The whole day will be extravagant. It's going to be a late night. We’ll have a relaxed night, and afterwards, we can do whatever we wish.