Chapter 27
27
R osa led Leslie and Alex through some hallways until they reached a large laundry room. There she opened the door of an ornate wooden cupboard and pulled out a pile of swimsuits. Leslie couldn't help but marvel at the collection; it was like viewing a rainbow of the most exquisite swimwear she had ever seen.
Every piece was distinct, individual, carrying its unique charm. One was a vibrant red, its fabric shimmering under the soft light, the intricate floral designs hinting at a keen eye for detail. There was a sapphire blue one-piece, the fabric soft and inviting. A black bikini looked sleek and sophisticated, its subtle silver accents catching the light.
Among the array, the housekeeper seemed to carefully select one, holding it up with a knowing smile. It was a beautiful piece in a shade of seafoam green. The design was simplistic yet feminine. It was a bandeau style, a metal clasp at the back providing support, and the bottoms were a high-waisted design, the side ties a charming detail.
The housekeeper extended the swimsuit to Leslie. "I believe this will fit and would look lovely on you," she declared with a satisfied nod.
Leslie reached out and gently took the seafoam green bandeau swimsuit from the housekeeper, the silky fabric slipping smoothly into her hands. Her fingertips traced the side ties of the high-waisted bottoms, the ends adorned with small gold beads.
As she looked at the swimsuit, she realized that it was not just a piece of clothing. The style, the color—it represented the luxury and exclusivity of the island, but also the thoughtfulness of the housekeeper.
"Thank you," Leslie said.
“Of course!” Rosa said. “Towels and sunscreen are over there.” She pointed to shelves to their right. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“I will.”
As Rosa left, Leslie glanced at Alex. He was leaning against the laundry room wall, staring intently at the swimsuit Rosa had given her. For a second, she could read his thoughts. The way he fantasized about her in the swimsuit. And out of it.
Suddenly, however, he blinked, straightened and cleared his throat. “Let’s go back to the bedroom. You can change, and then you can take that swim.”
Fifteen minutes later, with the borrowed swimsuit hugging her form, Leslie made her way down to the private beach. The ocean was an incredible shade of blue, shimmering under the morning sun.
As Leslie tentatively stepped into the crystal-clear water, the gentle ebb of the tide lapped against her sun-warmed skin, sending a delicious shiver up her spine. The salty sea air filled her lungs. Her feet sank into the silky sand, each step sending cool ripples dancing around her.
Unable to resist, she turned back to the shore. Alex stood at the edge of the beach, a vision of power in his casual shirt and jeans, the hems slightly rolled up, his feet bare. His gaze was fixed on her, a searing intensity in his smoky eyes that felt like a physical touch, igniting a trail of goosebumps along her sun-kissed skin.
And then, in the blink of an eye, the connection was severed. Alex turned his head, his attention drawn towards the young guard suddenly standing a few meters away. It was the same young man Leslie had seen him interact with earlier—Nico, whom she now knew was Renee’s son.
She watched as they engaged in a quiet discussion, their expressions serious and focused.
Leslie swam, periodically stealing glances at the two men. Despite the tranquil setting, she felt a growing unease creeping in, a stark reminder of their situation.
While floating in the crystal-clear water, Leslie noticed the same little girl from earlier, Maria, come bounding down towards Alex. She watched as Maria tugged at the hem of Alex’s shirt, demanding his attention. This time, instead of standing aloof from the girl, Alex’s gentle smile was unmistakable as he engaged with her. Even from afar, she saw his demeanor soften as he spoke with the child.
Just as quickly as she had arrived, Nico scooped Maria up into his arms. He shared a few words with Alex before he and Maria left. Alex waved to Maria as Nico carried her away.
Alex's gaze fell to the ground, his hand absently rubbing his neck. His brows were furrowed, and she saw the tension in the lines of his body.
It didn’t look like Alex was getting the breather he’d implied he needed.
Leslie ascended from the cool embrace of the ocean, the seawater traced rivulets down her legs. She strode toward Alex.
"I like that suit on you," he said when she got closer.
"Thanks," Leslie replied, her fingers idly adjusting the edge of the swimsuit that clung to her hip.
His jaw flexed, the shadow of his stubble accentuating the hard lines of his face. He was silent for a beat, a storm brewing in his clouded eyes. "I mean it, you look amazing, Leslie," he murmured, his voice a deep rumble that sent a ripple of pleasure coursing through her.
"Amazing enough to do something about it?" she retorted.
His eyes sparked with a predatory hunger. It made Leslie sigh in relief that his desire for her was enough to ease him from whatever troubles he’d just been thinking about.
"I'll definitely do something about it," he purred, his voice dropping to a sultry whisper that sent shivers skittering down her spine. "But first, do you want to swim some more? Find the supplies to sketch? Because at some point today, I want to hit those self-defense lessons we talked about.”
Leslie tipped her head to the side. “You really turn it on and off rather quickly, don’t you?”
He looked surprised then nodded. “If you mean I can easily switch between my personal life, my personal thoughts, and thoughts about your security, it’s what I’ve been trained to do. And yet, you don’t like it.”
To his statement, she said, “I think I’m trying to understand it. But still not understanding it, I don’t like what it means for you. Do you ever completely immerse yourself in your feelings, your desires? Is there ever just space for Alex to get what he wants and needs?”
He reached out, his fingers trailing over her damp shoulder. “You are what I want and need. Your safety. Your body. Everything about you. That means keeping you safe. If that means I live a life in which I can only live two halves of two wholes, so be it.”
Leslie stood rooted to the spot, her body throbbing with an unfulfilled desire that had only been ignited further by their conversation. A knot of frustration twisted in her gut and her realization that Alex didn’t believe he could ever truly experience authentic human life—relaxed, fulfilled, all about him—spread through her like wildfire.
And yet, she was acutely aware of his gaze, those hawk-like eyes of his lingering on her with a promise that made her blood simmer. A promise to care for her body as much as her safety…when the time was right. A whirlpool of emotions pulled her in deeper and deeper.
She stepped back. “Maybe I’ll just have to tempt Selfish Alex to play so badly that he leaves protector Alex in the dust.”
He smiled. “I’d enjoy you trying.”
Which meant he didn’t think that day would ever come. Yes, he’d loosened his control by giving into their sexual chemistry a few times, but he was confident that if he was ever needed, Protector Alex would always be on the ready to immediately spring into action. It shouldn’t bother her. That wasn’t just his job, it was him , but she didn’t like knowing that he could never truly share himself fully with her because part of him was always being held in reserve, in control, on duty .
With his words a trumpeted challenge in her ear, Leslie tossed her head back, her wet hair fanning out behind her, releasing a spray of droplets into the warm air. With her eyes closed, she stretched languorously, every curve and angle of her body under the scrutiny of his gaze. When she opened her eyes, the hunger in his was stark. A triumphant smile graced her lips, a silent acknowledgment of the game they were engaged in.
He warned her, his voice a low growl. "Be careful what you wish for."
Her response was immediate, confident. "I made my wishes a long time ago and I’m not afraid."
"Maybe you should be."
Instead of scaring her, Leslie just smiled. There he was. Selfish Alex poking out his head, tempted to play. Before their time on this island was over, she vowed she would get all of him. She was not just a participant, but a provocateur in this game they were playing, a game she was becoming more and more eager to see through.
She toyed with the strap of her bathing suit. “Do you think Selfish Alex would fully come out to play if…let’s say… I went skinny dipping?”
The smile dropped from Alex's face. He looked around. There were a few men in the distance, but they were moving to or from somewhere, not paying them any attention.
"The kids are off to school. They won't see anything," she reassured him.
He gritted his teeth. “The guards might.”
"I don’t care who else sees." She was bluffing.
Or was she? She’d never thought she’d be as daring as she’d been at the sex club. If it meant Alex fully losing control, maybe Leslie wouldn’t mind if one of the guards happened to catch her skinny dipping.
His response was instantaneous and fierce. His voice was a low growl, resonating with a possessiveness that sent a jolt of desire shooting through her.
"I care. You will not do that," he stated firmly, the intensity in his gaze holding her captive.
The words hung in the air between them, heavy and electrifying.
“I bared and fucked myself in the sex club. How can you be okay with that and not with me going skinny dipping here?”
He stepped up to her and roughly tilted her face up to his. “Because that was a sex club. A fantasy in the dark. This is reality. In the cold light of day. But the truth is? What the difference might be doesn’t matter. Because you agreed to one month with me, and for the time we’re together, you are mine, Leslie. That means I decide when you bare your body and who you bare it to. And you will not bare it to anyone but me.”
At his rough touch and even rougher words, a tidal wave of desire washed over her, hot and urgent. Her heart beat rapidly as she realized how much she wanted him to claim her in every way possible.
Alex's gaze was fixed on her, the intensity of it making her heart flutter. "You're mine to see, Leslie," he whispered, his voice a possessive rumble. “Mine.”
Leslie was more than willing to be his, and his alone.
Her response was soft. "I wouldn't want it any other way."