Worth Everything: Worth It, Book 4

by Karen Erickson

  He was a complete shit for even thinking it.

  “She blames me,” Stasia whispered. “She looks at me and I’m the reminder of her past indiscretions. I’m nothing but a mistake in her eyes.”

  Damn it, that was it. She couldn’t keep thinking like this, talking like this. He had to put a stop to the pity party now.

  He went to her, stopping just behind her chair. Her bare shoulders beckoned, her bent head causing her hair to spill forward, revealing a slice of her neck. That beckoned as well, twisted up his insides, made him want to press his mouth there. Whisper words of comfort as he drew her into his arms. Those words would slowly change, become heated as he described what he wanted to do to her, with her, for her…

  “I need a good night’s rest, I’m sure.” She glanced at him from over her shoulder, a tremulous smile curving her lips. “It’ll all be better in the morning, no?”

  No. But he wasn’t about to disagree. Whatever she needed to do to gain back some of that strength he’d glimpsed only a few hours ago, she should do it. “Sure.” He stepped back, helped pull out her chair and she stood. So close, he could smell her, sweetly floral, her wavy hair a little wild about her face.

  “Thank you.” She took a deep breath, exhaling loudly. He dropped his gaze to her breasts, noted how full they were, how her nipples were the slightest bit hard and pushing against the thin fabric of her dress. “I appreciate you not mocking me for being so upset.”

  “I would never mock you, Stasia.”

  She sent him a skeptical look and he chuckled, glad they were over the earlier constant arguing. It was—pleasant, spending time with her.

  More than pleasant.

  “Tomorrow, I’ll approach her again,” she said with a firm nod. “She needs to know she can’t ignore me forever.”

  “That a girl,” he murmured, glad to see the stiffening of her spine, the hint of fire flare in her gaze once more.

  Another shaky smile appeared as she leaned in, stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his cheek. “Thank you, Gavin.”

  His skin tingled where her lips touched, his entire body stiff with want. That kiss, however brief, was unexpected. Unwarranted.

  But definitely wanted.

  “You’re welcome,” he murmured, more than a little dazed.

  Stasia stepped away from Gavin, shock coursing through her over what she’d done. It was a mere kiss on the cheek, no big deal, but he was her lawyer. The lawyer who didn’t care for her much, the man who seemed to look at her with thinly veiled disgust all the time. He was the consummate professional who wouldn’t allow his personal feelings to compromise his representation of her.

  And she went ahead and kissed him like a fool. The feel of his skin beneath her lips still lingered, the sharp inhalation of breath she’d heard him make when she’d done it. Was he shocked, disgusted, horrified by her impulsive actions?

  “Well.” She clasped her hands together to stop them from trembling. “Good night, then.”

  He locked his gaze with hers, unreadable and dare she say it, forbidden. What was he thinking? Did he feel it too? The chemistry that seemed to jump and crackle between them every time they drew too close to each other? Or was it all one-sided?

  Only moments ago she’d been full of despair over her mother, so easily allowing everything that had happened take her under. It was always easier to fall into sadness. Being strong and determined was much, much harder.

  Now it was as if she’d forgotten all of her troubles. She could only think of this man, clad in jeans and a white button-up shirt, his hair slightly wavy at the ends, as if he hadn’t taken much care with it after he stepped out of the shower. She could imagine wrapping herself around him, testing the softness of his dark hair with her fingers, her lips whispering over his skin, his husky groans of approval as she deftly undid every single button of his shirt…

  “’Night.” He smiled, but it was almost menacing. Darkly sexy. Not friendly or neutral as his past smiles had been, the sight of it touched something deep within her. Caused the sensation to unfurl slowly, wind its way through her limbs, flooding her veins, making her body languid, heavy.

  Desire. Undeniable. Ridiculous to pursue. She wanted him. She’d wanted him from the moment she first saw him if she was being honest. He wasn’t what he appeared to be. That smooth, unruffled veneer hid a man who kept everything pinned up. He was in control at all times.

  For once she wanted to see him completely and utterly out of control.

  Deciding it best, she turned from him first and headed toward the hall that led to her bedroom. She felt his gaze upon her. Her skin sizzled as if he’d physically touched her and she put an extra sway in her step, enjoying the sensation of her skirt sliding over her bare bottom. She wore a thong and no bra, quite liberating from her normal choice of undergarments, but there was something about returning to the villa that allowed her certain liberties and freedoms.

  Like dressing scandalously in front of her attorney. Just the thought of how easy he could’ve disposed of her simple sundress made her cheeks heat. One tug and her breasts would’ve been exposed. One large, capable hand sliding beneath her skirt could’ve discovered how easily accessible she was for him.

  She’d done it unconsciously. Deep down, she knew it was a mistake, the temptation Gavin represented. Besides, he wouldn’t do anything. He was not the type to throw away all boundaries and pursue her, was he?

  Frowning, she opened her bedroom door and entered the room, closing the door quietly behind her. She knew nothing about him, not really. She’d Googled him and discovered there wasn’t much to know. He was a workaholic who’d climbed the ranks of his law firm quickly. He was the son of…no one she could find. No mention of his past, no mention of a family and definitely no mention of a girlfriend or wife.

  He was married to his work. His office was his mistress. She knew what those types of men were like. All three of her brothers were that way. Once upon a time, she had been too.

  Not bothering to turn on the light, she made her way to the window and sat on the ledge, staring down at the pool. It was lit, the water a bright, beckoning blue. Warm air drifted over her, heating her skin. She had the sudden urge to swim. To strip off her clothes and jump in naked, the water sliding over her skin like a caress, relaxing her, cooling her heated thoughts and skin.

  Grabbing a towel from the connecting bathroom, she made her way back into the kitchen and dining area, saw that it was blessedly empty. Gavin must’ve gone back to the tower, which was just as well. She couldn’t let him see what she was about to do.

  Quietly she opened the French door and just as quietly shut it behind her. Her footsteps light, she made her way to the pool, nibbling her lower lip as she stopped at the very edge. In the far distance she could hear the ocean waves lapping at the shore, the sound of boats knocking against each other, the occasional distant drift of voices. People were still on the beach, most likely illicit meetings that involved bodies wound around each other, lips pressed tight.

  She envied their wicked interludes, the idea of naked skin bathed in moonlight, filled with wild abandonment on an empty beach. To be so carefree…

  Without thought, she shed her dress, let it drop to the ground with a kick of her feet. The air embraced her, brushed over nude body much like a lover’s touch, her nipples hardening to painful points. With a sigh she stepped out of her panties, left them in a crumpled heap on top of her dress. Renzo had already left for the evening, so he wouldn’t see her, thank goodness.

  She dove into the pool with hardly a splash.

  Staying beneath the water, she swam, stretching her muscles, enjoying the sensation of good old-fashioned exercise. Back and forth she swam across the pool, going faster, her breaths becoming labored, her muscles starting to protest painfully with every lap she accomplished. The pool was small, her strokes were simple, but it was enough to push her past her limits quickly.

  And help her forget her troubles, however momentarily.
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br />   After many lost minutes and countless laps, she finally took a break. She sat on the wide step in the shallow end, the water bouncing against her from the waves she’d created, making her buoyant. Smoothing her hair back from her face, she blinked away the droplets that clung to her lashes, focused on the rapid breaths she took, her heart racing with exertion.

  The view of water stretching as far as the eye could see filled her with memories of other stolen late nights in the pool. Of her swimming with her little friends from the village, one particular night when they were all teens and daring enough to strip off their clothes and skinny dip with the local boys. Lots of squealing and laughter, bikini tops flying, swim trunks hitting the edge of the pool with loud, wet thumps.

  How angry her father had become when he discovered at least twelve naked teenagers splashing in his pool, how scared those boys became when they realized Giorgio Renaldi himself was roaring at them to leave the premises at once.

  Her mother had tried to convince him they were indulging in nothing but harmless fun. How protective her father had been, the lecture he gave her the next morning about the mysteries of sex embarrassing both of them, him especially, until he’d finally declared it a discussion more suited with her mother.

  Melancholy settled deep within her bones, she tossed her head back, stared at the star-lit sky. It was velvety black, dotted with tiny twinkles of silver, and she scooted lower, let the water lap over her skin, her neck, her hair, until she was completely submerged with the exception of her face. A move she’d done often as a child.

  Everything became muffled then, the water sloshing against her ears, making the natural night sounds muted. Her head had gone fuzzy, as if she were in another world. It was safe here, no one could find her and she could bury herself into oblivion.

  Closing her eyes, she let her body float, enjoying the sensation of the warming water sliding over her nakedness. Her belly tingled, her nipples tightened and lower, between her legs, she was heavy with want.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been with a man. The thought of being with a particular man filled her with such lust she drew in a harsh breath, let it escape shakily. Gavin flashed through her mind, the first time she’d met him in his office. The night at the cocktail party when he’d squelched her original plan of speaking with Rhett.

  She liked how Gavin looked in his glasses, how…strict they made him appear. Tall and broad, he emanated power without saying a word, which she found incredibly arousing. He was a masterful dresser, his suits were some of the finest she’d ever seen, and his ties were colorful, with subdued patterns that told he was boldly refined.

  All Worth ties, she knew. Interesting how the family appeared in her life on a constant basis. They always did.

  Gavin had large hands, long fingers. She wondered if he touched a woman as if she were made of spun glass. Gently, reverently, with the most thoughtful care. Or was he the type who was a little rougher, more forceful. Would he wrap his fist in her hair and tug her close? Kiss her until she couldn’t breathe, his hands all over her, pushing her closer and closer to her release with a few thrusts of his tongue and strokes of his fingers?

  Her eyes snapped open, and she scrambled to sit up, sputtering when she took in some water. She’d lost herself in thought, lost herself in lusty imaginings she had no business entertaining. Sweeping her hair away from her face again, she slowly swam to the other end of the pool, her legs aching with the movement. Grabbing the handles that flanked either side of the steps, she hauled herself from the water, shivering when the air hit her skin, cooling her to the point of gasping.

  Dripping on the pavers, she went to the lounge chair where she’d dropped her towel only to find it wasn’t there. She glanced around, shivering so hard her teeth chattered, but she didn’t see it.

  Where did it go? It couldn’t have grown legs and walked away.

  “Looking for something?”

  Stasia stilled at the sound of the voice coming from behind her. Desire slid through her body, weakening her knees. She recognized the voice, of course. Wondered how much he saw, how much he was looking at now. She was completely on display, nothing to hide behind, and he was getting an eyeful. If she turned around, he’d see absolutely everything.

  Deciding she had nothing to hide, she turned, rested her hands on her hips. He emerged from the shadow of an olive tree, the thick towel clutched in one hand, his gaze glowing as it landed upon her. He stared at her face, never daring to look past her chin, and she admired the strength he showed in doing so.

  Most men would waste no time checking out her nudity. And how could she blame them? She would be checking out a man who stood naked in front of her too—specifically the very man in front of her now.

  But Gavin’s gaze was riveted to her face only. “I’m disturbing what is clearly a private moment for you.”

  She shrugged, her drenched hair sliding across her damp skin. “I wanted a quick swim.”

  “I heard you. I decided to come down and investigate.”

  “I’m sorry I woke you.”

  “I wasn’t sleeping.”

  They stared at each other silently. She noticed he wore no shirt, was clad in jeans only, the button unsnapped, his feet bare. As if he’d slipped them on before coming down to investigate. She had no idea the sight of a man’s bare feet could be so arousing, but they were. Not nearly as arousing a sight as that undone snap on his jeans, revealing a trail of dark hair that disappeared beneath dark-rinsed denim.

  She let her gaze wander unabashedly, she didn’t have as much control as he and she was fine with it. As she assumed, he was well built, with a flat abdomen, the faint showing of a six-pack and a broad chest and shoulders. His chest was covered with the lightest bit of hair, mostly in the center, and she had the sudden urge to press her face there. Breathe him in, feel the beat of his heart beneath her cheek.

  Instead she stood naked and trembling, dripping wet with still-chattering teeth. He was at the distinct advantage, but she decided to play like the one with the upper hand.

  “I guess you need this?” He held out the towel but didn’t step closer to her. As if he wanted to see if she’d come to him first.

  She smiled. “The longer I stand here, the more dry I become.”

  A single dark brow rose, such a sexy move, her belly fluttered. “Well, isn’t that a damn shame.”

  The sexual innuendo was thick in his words, and just like that, she grew wet between her legs. Locking her knees together, she stood straighter, held out her hand in a beckoning gesture. “My towel, please?”

  He hid it behind his back. “Come and get it.”

  Exasperation filled her, along with a healthy dose of lust. He was being rather playful, which was completely unlike him. At least what she saw of him. “Are you serious?”

  “Completely.” The look he sent her was a challenge. A dare and she took a few measured steps, stopping a few feet away from him.

  His gaze finally dropped, lingering on her breasts, going farther, down her belly, down her legs, until it came back up, touching the spot between her thighs that throbbed for him before finally settling once more on her chest. “You look cold.”

  If he was referring to her nipples, then he was correct. “I am.”

  “Then come closer, Stasia,” he murmured, his deep voice pure seduction.

  “Gavin.” She took one step. Then another, bringing her closer but not near enough for him to reach out and touch her. “What are we doing?”

  “I have no fucking idea.”

  She appreciated his candor, almost wanted to laugh at his blunt choice of words, but didn’t want to insult him.

  “Me either,” she agreed, taking another baby step. “It’s probably a mistake, what we’re considering.”

  “Most likely.” He lifted his lids, that brilliant gaze meeting hers. “But we’ll have a good time making it, don’t you think?”

  Chapter Seven

  Gavin wasn’t quite sure what
they were doing, but he also knew no way could he stop it. Stopping this magnetic connection he felt to Stasia was impossible, crazy, undeniable. Powerful.

  He’d gone to his room and stripped after dinner, slipping into the large, comfortable bed, discovering within moments as he tossed and turned that he was too restless to sleep, despite the time change. He should have been exhausted, but instead he’d paced the room naked, stopping finally at the window so he could watch the sea, the flickering tiny lights in the far distance dotting the water.

  That was when he’d heard the faint splash, his gaze dropping to the pool below, where he saw the lithe figure of Stasia swimming back and forth, her arms slicing cleanly through the water, her legs carrying her quickly.

  She wore absolutely nothing at all.

  Those long, lean legs moved with a sexy power that left him panting. And when she popped out of the water, revealing those perfect breasts with the dark nipples, his cock had twitched in reaction.

  Unable to tear his gaze away, he watched, like some sort of pervert hiding in the dark night. She moved through the water like a goddess, her hair slicked back, her skin gleaming. After the vigorous laps, she’d floated with her eyes closed, only her face showing, becoming completely weightless in the water. He’d grasped his erect cock, stroked himself mindlessly at the thought of joining her. Touching her.

  Fucking her.

  Unable to stand it any longer, he’d slipped on his jeans and run outside, stopping at the lounge chair where she left a towel. Snatching it up, he’d hidden in the shadows of a tree, knowing she would come out soon, knowing she would look for her now missing towel.

  He hadn’t expected her to be so bold. Certainly hadn’t expected her to give him such a blatant view of all she had to offer. Drinking her in from behind had been amazing enough. The graceful curve of her back, the twin dimples that rested above the most perfect heart-shaped ass ever created, those long legs he could only imagine wrapped around his hips as he plunged deep inside her.