“He wouldn’t have. Humans are beneath him and his intellect.”
“I knew there was a reason I disliked him.”
They walked a fair distance through the orange grove until they approached another clearing. Once again, small white lights illuminated the space from the trees on which they hung. Electric lanterns lined the perimeter of a rectangular pool.
Raven gave William a questioning look. He smirked and led her to the side. “Test the pool. I’m not a good judge of temperature.”
She leaned over and dipped her uninjured foot in the water. “It’s warm. The pool must be heated.”
“Excellent.”
William stepped over to a deck chair and began unbuttoning his shirt.
“Wait. What are you doing?” Raven sounded alarmed.
“We are going for a swim.”
She looked around helplessly. “We’re trespassing.”
“I’m not afraid of the owners.”
“I am. We don’t have bathing suits.”
“I don’t own a swimming costume.” He gave her a look designed to tempt as he pulled off his shirt, revealing his muscled chest. “And if you owned one, I’d persuade you not to wear it.” He unzipped his black jeans.
Raven muttered a surprised curse.
Without shame, William walked naked to the deep end of the pool and dove into the water. The sound of his body breaching the surface seemed thunderous. Raven strained her ears for any indication that someone had heard the noise and was coming to investigate.
William swam to the side closest to her. He looked like a god, his upper body perfect in proportion and sprinkled with droplets of water. His powerful presence was barely muted by the water, although he looked up at her hesitantly.
“Are you joining me?”
“We’ll get arrested.”
William inclined his head to one side. “It’s a warm evening. We’ve taken a drive down a long, dusty road. I thought it would be refreshing to have a swim. Together.”
The tone of his voice changed on the last word and Raven felt it on her skin, like a caress.
“What if someone sees us?”
“I have excellent hearing and an exceptional sense of smell. The wind is blowing such that we won’t be surprised by anyone coming from the villa. Come, Raven. I want to see you.” His expression grew heated.
Nestled among the greenery in the semidarkness, the pool looked inviting. Even more so when coupled with the aqua-god before her. Raven balled her hands into fists.
“Fine.”
Carefully, she undid her leather jacket and placed it on a chair near William’s clothes. With as much speed as she could muster, she disrobed. Covering her breasts with an arm, she hobbled to the shallow end of the pool and crept down the stairs. She only relaxed when the water came up to her neck.
William watched the entire procedure like a hawk. He remained at the side, regarding her, but made no move to approach her.
Her cheeks flamed.
He extended his hand over the surface of the water. It was an invitation. Slowly, she walked over to him.
“How does the water feel on your leg?” His expression was almost tender.
“It feels good. Over the years I’ve done aquatic therapy and exercise. It helps.”
“But you haven’t been doing that in Florence.”
“No, I haven’t.”
“I’ll make arrangements.”
She was prepared to argue with him, but quickly thought better of it given his tone. “Thank you. I miss swimming.”
He lifted his hand, but instead of pulling her against his naked form, he gently touched her face and smoothed her hair. She placed her arms on his shoulders to steady herself. “The water is very warm.”
He nodded, still staring into her eyes.
She broke eye contact. “You’ve gone quiet.”
“Vampyres have excellent senses. When we feed or engage in intercourse, we become distracted. To ensure we aren’t surprised, I’ll have to forgo those activities.” His hand slid under the water to rest on her hip. “I’m finding it—difficult.”
She stepped closer, her breasts brushing against his chest. William closed his eyes and groaned.
“I think it would be rude for us to pursue those activities in someone else’s pool.” Raven kissed his neck.
Struck by a sudden inspiration, she licked a drop of water from his skin. William’s hands clamped on her hips, pulling her lower body against him. Without a word, he kissed her deeply.
“I’ll take care of it,” he rasped, his eyes like gray fire.
He wrapped his arms around her back and Raven forgot all about the owners of the pool.
Chapter Twenty-six
Later that evening, William piloted the motorcycle to a place near the front door of Raven’s apartment building. She waited for him to help her off the bike, finding her legs unsteady.
He chuckled as he removed her helmet. “Are you all right?”
“I’m perfect.” She smiled and lifted her face.
He captured her lips, pulling her against him. They kissed for some time, gently exploring one another’s mouths, before William withdrew. He pecked her on the cheek.
“Let’s get you inside.”
They walked toward the front door, holding hands and whispering about their activities in the pool. It was, perhaps, one of the most romantic evenings of Raven’s life.
As they approached the door, a figure stepped out of the shadows. William’s body grew solid and a loud snarl escaped his chest. Instantly, he pushed her behind him.