“I told you to go gentle,” I groan. “Jesus, it hurts everywhere.”
“Ava, I don’t do gentle.”
His words send a jolt of heat right to my core, his double entendre turning me on instantly. I push myself up on my elbows.
“How often do you run?” I ask. “Be honest.”
“I go to the gym every morning. Running an hour is part of my routine.”
I snort. “I knew it. Why didn’t you mention that when I told you I haven’t been running in over a month?”
Sebastian smirks, shrugging.
“Well, at least I get the satisfaction that you’re also sweaty.”
“Oh, I can think of a much more satisfying way to get sweaty,” he says. Then he does that thing with his eyes again that turns me to mush. His gaze smolders, as if nothing exists except the two of us.
“Does it involve any clothes?” I mumble.
“No, it doesn’t.”
His gaze descends to my chest then lower on my disheveled body. Since he’s not bothering to be discreet, I allow myself to inspect every delicious detail about him. Sweat dots his upper lip, and I imagine what kissing him would taste like. A little like salt, a lot like a man. Oh, God. How am I supposed to resist him when he’s so irresistible?
I let my elbows slide forward, flattening my back to the sand, and close my eyes.
“Do you still want to run?”
My only response is raising my eyebrows. After a few seconds, I add, “My legs hurt. Actually, my whole body hurts. My legs are downright killing me.”
I feel his hands on my ankles, applying pressure on the points that hurt most.
I let out a moan. “This is so good.”
“Stop making those sounds, or I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
I freeze, then attempt to retract my legs, but he doesn’t let go. “Let me do this for you.”
“Why are you so amazing?” I ask.
“Because you deserve it.”
I melt on the spot, swallowing any words, and simply enjoy him.
“What are you doing this afternoon?” he asks after a while.
“I haven’t decided yet. What are you doing?”
“My parents are celebrating their wedding anniversary.”
“Oh, right,” I say, remembering what Pippa told him on my first day here. “Thirty-six years. Will it be a huge party?”
“No.” He chuckles. “My parents don’t like that. It’ll be intimate, family only. Well, our family is huge, so I’m sure it won’t be intimate by most people’s standards, but it’ll be fun.”
“When do you have to be there?”
“In about two hours.”
“Let’s get going, so you can shower and everything.”