6. Tantalizing Tease

A sharp knock at the door jolted my heartbeat, which instantly quickened. Diamante’s eyes glittered as he stepped closer, all confidence and slow-burning heat. “Change of plans, put this on,” he murmured, holding out a skimpy, sleek two-piece suit. Something I would never choose to wear on my own. Before I could protest, he was behind me, unzipping my dress, his lips pressing a smoldering kiss into the nape of my neck. His fingers traced fire down my spine.

The door shut softly with him on the other side, and I was trembling, utterly alone with my racing pulse. The kiss on my skin warmed me; my temperature rose even with the cool breeze through the window. I didn't know where to get started. I nervously stepped out of my dress. 'What in the world was I thinking? This is not a pool or a vast body of water. He can't be serious about joining me.' Then I thought for a split second. 'He's the bold one; he’ll do it.'

I squeezed my eyes shut, embarrassed, wrestling with my excitement. “This is so unlike me. Is it?” There was no backing out. 'Just do this. Maybe he's right; I never have fun. But am I safe? They keep saying I am, but I don’t know these men. My heart thudded as I weighed fear against the wild thrill of the unknown. ‘Then I looked up at the ceiling with tears in my eyes. Then I heard this soothing sound in the bathroom.

It was the sound of music I had never heard before. I briefly stopped crying as I listened. I heard this strange music playing in the background. (Active child- hanging on.) It startled me at first, but I continued listening. It began to calm me surprisingly. The soothing beat took my mind off my fears. 'Wait, I need to think this through.'

'I’m twenty-three, and my life has always been safe—too safe. Mark never made me feel wanted, never touched me as if I mattered. But Diamante? I craved to know what it felt like to be truly seen, truly wanted. Was it so wrong to want something different, just for once? To let myself fall into a fantasy? Steeling myself, I let the dress pool at my feet and allowed my fingers to linger over my bare skin—newly aware of every curve, every possibility. For the first time, I saw myself as someone worthy of pleasure. Smiling, I slipped into the shimmering silver and black bikini.

Gradually I stepped into the water, sank into the Jacuzzi, and waited. I sat in the vibrating warm water, wondering why they were taking so long, even though it had been only a few minutes.

I closed my eyes, letting the water lap against my skin, and imagined hands—strong, gentle—caressing me. Two men, both impossibly beautiful, tangled with me in a haze of pleasure. My heart pounded with anticipation and a hunger I’d never known. “Charlize, are you dressed?" Diamante asked in a low tone as he opened the door.

I felt my temperature rise just hearing him say my name.

When Diamante entered, my breath caught in my throat. His long, midnight-blue hair fell across one eye, and his body—bare except for tight burgundy trunks—looked sculpted by desire itself. I couldn’t look away. I was in a trance as I watched him walk toward the Jacuzzi. He stopped at the vanity to pour two drinks. It looked similar to the one I had with my dinner earlier. My palate craved to taste it again.

"I'll be there with you in a second. But first, let me prepare a glass of wine. How does it feel?"

It took me a second to respond, trying to get my brain to keep up with the words he was speaking to me.

"Oh, it’s wonderful," I blurted, surprising myself with my boldness. "I can’t wait for you to join me. He handed me a glass of chilled, strange blue wine I had earlier with my dinner.  My eyes fell upon his broad shoulders and chest.

I smiled, thinking to myself. 'Oh, my goodness, he's almost naked except for his tight bikini trunks. I don't know why I expected him to have on something different, not this one.'

After handing me the glass of wine, he set the wineglass down on the base of the marble jacuzzi tub as he climbed in with me. I thought this would be a convenient time to take a sip of wine as my eyes glanced at all those muscles covered by creamy skin.

"Oh my, had I died and gone to heaven?'

I took a deep sip of wine, heat pooling inside me as I drank in the sight of him. Everything felt heightened—my senses, my nerves, my desire. My breath quickened; desire pulsed through me. I tried to hide my reaction as he slid closer, but this was my first true taste of intimacy with a man like this, and it shook me to my core. Diamante relaxed in the warm water that circled him. He sighed, laying his head back against the Jacuzzi.

"This feels fantastic."

The steam from the Jacuzzi made my curls fall onto my face as I looked at his dreamy expression while I watched this beautiful creature. The look I saw in his eyes was sexy.

"How are you enjoying your first night in Paradise?” Diamante asked, his voice low, eyes searching mine for something deeper. I responded unhesitatingly. "Seriously fantastic," I said, looking at this beautiful vision before me, then looking at the view outside at the clear skies and hearing the waves brush gently against the shore. Then he continued, talking about the warm water and pulsating jets.

"Early this week, I've been doing a lot of dancing, and my muscles are so sore."

"Tell me, is that what you do here?" I asked, stroking the water with my hand and sipping my wine, growing more relaxed and comfortable.

"No.....I bet you think I’m mysterious.  Let's leave it that way...Not too serious, right?" He said, winking at me.

I nodded my head in agreement with a partial smile. "Not too serious."

"Would you say no to a massage if I offered one?" He asked me.

"Is that what you are, a massage therapist?" I said, smiling.

“I can be whatever you want,” he said with a slow, inviting smile. “Why say no to a little TLC?” He reached for a bottle and poured oil into his hands, the scent rich and intoxicating. I nervously smiled even though I felt like a delighted teenage girl, eager but nervous. But on the outside, trying to keep calm and aware of this man and me. Even though I had no experience with a man like this, I didn't want to give him that impression, nor did I want to seem girlishly excited. I could see the delight in his eyes, which made him downright irresistible. From the beginning, I found him more difficult to resist than Blaze. He's quick and smooth to put his hands on you, and before you know it, you are caught in his rapture.

"What're you thinking about?" He asked as he settled behind my back, letting my female form rest against his sturdy flesh. I glided in between his muscular legs with ease. I was glad I was sitting before him, and he couldn't see the thrill and excitement on my face.

His hands found my shoulders, kneading tension into pure bliss. I couldn’t help the sigh that escaped me. The next moment, his lips were at my neck—nibbling, teasing, making me moan despite myself. Euphoria washed over me, all caution drowned by longing. I collapsed into his arms, wanting more than I’d ever dared to want.

 “That’s right, relax and enjoy yourself, my queen. You liked that, didn’t you?” Then he stopped touching me. I turned, and he began standing as he stepped out of the Jacuzzi. His grin was wide as he dried himself.

"Wait, where are you going?" He didn't answer me. Diamante took a towel and wrapped it around himself.  

"Did I do something wrong?" My voice sounded small in the sudden quiet. The room felt empty without him, desire and confusion swirling together.

Why did he leave me just as things were beginning to heat up?