Ashley wrapped his wet body around mine and pulled me close to all his tempting male heat. His lips fell upon my neck, kissing, nuzzling, and governing the rhythm of my pulse. I melted into the velvet blanket of his chest, so firm and hot, not a dream but real flesh and blood. My man. He belonged to me and no one else.

Heat tangled between my legs. His mouth ravished my skin. I sank into it, into him, and froze.

It felt wrong.

I felt like a fraud.

Pushing at his arms, I wrenched myself away and climbed out of the pool.

I had to tell him about Priest.

I needed to tell Priest about Ashley.

Unless Priest was dead.

A lump lodged in my throat. No, I couldn’t think that way. I would never give up on my husband’s life. He’d outsmarted and outlived every person who’d ever underestimated him.

“We should get moving.” Stomach in knots, I wrung the wetness from my curls and started walking west.

Water splashed behind me, and strong fingers caught my arm, swinging me around.

“I wasn’t trying to…” Ashley raked a hand through his wet hair, and his gaze dipped, roaming over my shredded garment, which was now soaked, transparent, and clinging to my body.

My nipples, the shadow of curls between my legs, everything was on display.

I cocked my head, trying to read him. Was he repulsed knowing another man had defiled me so despicably?

“I want you.” His throat worked for a moment, seeming to push forth words that wouldn’t come. His hand, still scrubbing over his hair, wilted to his nape. “God help me, how could I not? You’re painfully, inconceivably the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen. I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t want you in every way, right now, right there in the water, despite the horrors and abuse your body has endured over the past two weeks. I. Want. You. Selfishly and completely. I want to fuck every torment out of your mind and soul until I’m all that’s left.” He took a breath, his voice softening. “But I would never expect you to want me in that way so soon after…him.”

Something shifted in my chest, locking in place. “Ashley—”