CHAPTER 2

Elena Voss stood frozen in the hallway, hand still pressed over her mouth, her body burning as Marcus's low groans echoed from the shower. "Elena..." he growled again, rough and desperate, she backed away on shaky legs before he could finish, heart thundering, and slipped back to her room.

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The next morning dawned bright and warm. Mia's flight had been pushed back again. Elena found Marcus at the pool edge in swim shorts that clung to his powerful thighs, his muscular chest glistening under the sun from years of boxing. She stepped out in her bikini, curvy hips swaying, full breasts barely contained, soft belly curving softly above the bottoms.

"Morning, Marcus," she said, voice a little breathless. "Mia texted, she's not getting in until late afternoon, guess it's just us for a while."

Marcus turned, piercing blue eyes locked on her body immediately, his sharp jaw tightened. "Just us then, you were always a weak swimmer, Elena. Come here, I'll teach you properly this time."

She laughed nervously but stepped closer, dipping a toe in the cool water. "I'm not that bad, I can float... sort of, you don't have to."

"I want to," he said, voice deep and commanding. He waded in and held out a hand. "Get in, trust me."

Elena slid into the pool, water lapping at her waist. "Okay, coach. What am I doing wrong?"

Marcus moved behind her, tall frame towering. His large hands settled on her waist underwater, fingers firm against her soft curves. "You're fighting the water, relax your hips, like this." He guided her gently, pulling her back against his chest. "Breathe steadily.

His touch sent sparks through her, Elena's breath hitched. "Your hands feel strong, like you know exactly what you're doing."

"I do," he murmured close to her ear. "Wider stance, good girl, now kick slow." His grip tightened on her wide hips, thumbs brushing her skin. "You've got a beautiful body for swimming, Elena, strong legs."

She shivered. "Marcus... you're holding me pretty tight."

"Need to keep you steady," he replied, but his voice had gone rough. He turned her to face him, hands still on her waist. "Look at me, eyes on mine, that's it. You're doing good."

Their faces were inches apart. Elena's hazel eyes searched his. "I heard you last night in the shower." The words slipped out, bold and impulsive.

Marcus froze, blue eyes darkening. "You what?"

"I heard you say my name," she whispered, cheeks flushing. "Moaning it, what were you thinking about?"

He didn't pull away. His fingers dug into her soft flesh. "Fuck, Elena. You shouldn't have heard that, I was trying to get you out of my head."

"But I'm right here," she said, voice trembling with rebellious want. "And you were thinking about me, tell me what you were imagining."

Marcus's breath grew heavy. "You. Bent over, that sundress up around your hips. My hands on this body." One hand slid lower, gripping her ass underwater. "Saying my name while I take what I want."

Elena's nipples hardened against her bikini top. "I didn't run away, I stayed and listened, It turned me on, Marcus."

"Damn it, girl." He pulled her closer, their bodies pressing together. "You're Mia's best friend. Twenty-four years old, I'm too old for you."

She looked up at him through wet lashes. "But you want me, I can feel it." Her hand brushed his hard chest. "Teach me more, show me how to move."

They stayed in the pool longer, his hands roaming under the excuse of teaching. Every touch lingered, every instruction came with praise that made her melt.

"Let's get out before the sun gets too high," Marcus finally said, voice strained. He helped her from the pool, eyes devouring her dripping curves.

They walked toward the boathouse for towels, inside the shaded wooden structure, the air felt thick. Marcus grabbed a towel but stopped, and stared at her.

"Elena," he started.

She stepped closer. "Kiss me, Marcus. Just once, please."

He cursed under his breath, then grabbed her. His mouth crashed down on hers, rough and possessive, one big hand tangled in her wavy chestnut hair, the other gripping her wide hip hard enough to bruise. He kissed like a man starving, tongue demanding, body pinning her against the wall.

Elena moaned into his mouth, submissive side blooming. She clutched his shoulders, pressing her breasts against him. Between her thighs, her pussy grew slick and aching, the wetness soaking through her bikini bottoms as his thigh pressed firmly between her legs.

Marcus deepened the kiss, growling low. "You taste so fucking sweet. These lips... this body." He nipped her bottom lip, then soothed it with his tongue. "Been wanting this too long."

She gasped when he lifted her slightly, thigh pressing harder between her legs, right against her soaked pussy. "Marcus... more, don't stop please."

He kissed her harder, hand sliding up to squeeze her breast. Then suddenly he broke away, breathing ragged, forehead against hers, his sharp jaw clenched with guilt and hunger.

"We can't," he said hoarsely. "This is dangerous, Elena. One wrong move and everything with Mia, with my family, it all falls apart."

Elena touched her swollen lips, eyes wide and needy. "But you kissed me like you meant it."

Marcus stepped back, muscles tense, blue eyes burning with conflict. "I did mean it, that's the problem."

He turned toward the door, then paused, looking back at her flushed, curvy form.

What would he do if she asked him to lose control right there?