If getting sex was going to put her in such a good mood, then she might need to think about having it a little more often. Besides the soreness, she actually felt pretty wonderful. Face clean, she quickly brushed her teeth and turned on the shower. She couldn’t wait to climb inside and let the hot water soothe her aching body. Grabbing a towel from the rack, she put down her toothbrush and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She’d worry about what to do with the wild mess that was her hair when she got out. Her once-gorgeous curls were all mussed and she had a case of “bedhead.”

Ava picked up the soap and smelled it. A fresh, citrus scent greeted her nose. She set about lathering and washing her body. When she was done, she leaned her head against the tiled wall and let the hot water run down her body. It felt so nice. Her eyes closed.

“Look at my little wanton waiting in the shower.”

Ava’s head snapped up, but she didn’t turn around. Crap. Crap. She cleared her throat. “Marco, I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.”

Ava’s ears strained to hear what he was doing. She wanted to turn around so badly, but she couldn’t. Not bare faced, with no mask and a case of “bedhead.”

“I thought I’d have a little more time before you came back to make myself presentable.”

“You’re presentable now. Nothing like a naked woman in the shower.”

Ava smiled. “Be that as it may, I’d really prefer if you gave me some time to get dressed.”

“I don’t think I’m going to do that.”

Ava heard the rustle of a belt buckle. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’m not going anywhere,” Marco said from behind her.

“If I recall correctly, this weekend is supposed to be about what I want and right now I want you to leave,” Ava said.

“Right now, this is about what I want and I want you. Naked. Vulnerable.”

“But I—”

Ava’s protest was cut off as arms slid around her waist and a warm, male body was pressed against her backside. Marco’s erection rose up against her. She closed her eyes, when his lips kissed the back of her neck. Her nipples tightened when she felt his tongue lick the spot he’d just kissed.

“Now aren’t you glad I didn’t let you send me away?” he asked.

“No.”

“Liar.”

The hand around her waist slid up to cup her breast, while Marco’s other hand moved insistently between her legs.

“I’m not—”

“You’re not what? You’re not ready for me? Don’t say that. I know you are.”

Ava whimpered as two of Marco’s fingers sank inside her. She could feel her own wetness as he stroked her. Unashamed, she spread her legs further apart, to give him better access. Her body tingled as his fingers worked their magic, slowly stoking the fire that she thought had burned out.

The hand at her breast lifted and squeezed the heavy globe, before he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She could feel sparks of pleasure racing from her breast down between her legs. She pressed herself closer into his talented hands.

“Still think you’re not ready?” he asked.

“No.”

“Do you want me?”

Ava gritted her teeth. She didn’t say anything. She was in control. Her. Not him. A third finger joined the other two already inside her, stretching her open a little wider for him. He pinched her nipple.

“Say it.”

His voice was in her ear. She could feel the rumble of his words, but still she didn’t say anything.

“Fine. Looks like I’m going to have to show you who’s in charge,” Marco rasped.

His fingers withdrew from her and then she was slammed against the wall. Her breasts were pressed against the cold tile. The humidity from the hot water surrounded her and then he was there thrusting into her. It hurt a little. He was thick and pulsing inside her, stretching her again. Eagerly she pressed back against him. His hand squeezed her waist tight. In and out he pumped into her. The sounds of his flesh slapping against hers, the steady stream of water flowing over them made her insides throb as he made love to her.

“I love being with you like this,” Marco told her.

“I like it too,” Ava finally admitted.

“I know you did, baby. How about showing me just how much?”

Ava lifted herself away from the wall of the shower and met him thrust for thrust, slamming back into him every time he entered her. She cried out as he buried himself to the hilt inside her and moved from side to side.

“Do that again. Please do that again,” Ava begged.

Marco obliged, moving from side to side. Ava’s body trembled as the head of his penis hit that secret bundle of nerves inside her. The orgasm overtook her like a tsunami sweeping aside a sailboat.

She rose up on her tiptoes before the waves of pleasure forced her to bend over. Marco’s hands locked on her breast, holding her tight against him as he quickly thrust into her faster and faster. She felt herself open wider than she ever had before and with one final thrust, he was yelling his release in the shower. Breathing heavily, they stood together still joined as the once-hot water sprayed over them lukewarm.

“Ava, you are something else.”

What? Ava stood straight up. Goosebumps rose on her forearms.

“What did you just say?” she asked.

“I think you heard me.”

“How do you know my name? I never told you.”

“You didn’t have to. I recognized you as soon as you entered the room last night.”

Ava tried to turn around but his hands held her in place, still firmly impaled on him.

“Let me go,” she ordered.

“Are you sure you want me to do that? You might not like what you find.”

Ava pushed his hands away and created enough space between them so that she could turn around. Her heart rose up in her throat. Forest-green eyes met her own. This was no Marco. Dominic Sambarino stared down at her.

“Hello, Stepmother.”

Chapter Fourteen

Ava backed away. The air rushed from her lungs. No. No. This can’t be happening. Dominic? Dominic! She swallowed and then she slapped him as hard as she could. He didn’t even flinch but her hand stung as she pulled it back.

“Get out. Get out now.” Trying to regain her composure, Ava turned the shower off and then she moved to exit. Dominic didn’t flinch.

“Get out of my way.”

“I don’t think I’m going to do that,” he said. His green eyes mocked her.

“You’d better or you just might find that appendage you’re so fond of broken in half.”

“You wouldn’t do that.”

“You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

“Actually I do. Now that I’ve spent some time with you. Don’t get me wrong, you roar like a lion, but if you get stroked the right way you’re nothing but a pussy cat.”

Ava’s hand came up to slap him again. He caught her hand easily.

“You got one. That’s all you get.”

She tried to jerk her hand away, but he held onto it tighter.

“What do you want with me? What was the point of all this?”

“You say that like I set all of this up.”

“Well, didn’t you?”

“Not exactly.”

“You either did or you didn’t.”

“Fine. I didn’t.”

“Then what are you doing here? Oh wait, you’re a professional escort. That would explain all the pictures I saw of you with older women.”

Dominic lifted a brow. A small smile curved his lips. “So you’ve been checking up on me? I’m flattered.”

Ava sneered. “Don’t be. I make it a habit to know everything I can about my enemies.”

“So that’s what we are now? Enemies? I’m hurt, Ava. Really I am. Especially after everything we’ve shared.”

His hand came up to caress her face. Ava jerked away from him. “Don’t touch me ever again.”

“You don’t mean that. Not after last night, and then again this morning.”

“If you come near me again, I will make sure that my face is the last thing you see before you take your last breath.”