The Spanish Tycoon's Temptress Page 0,53

up at the ceiling, her body still humming from what had just happened but her mind was starting to work once again. And what had happened was horrible. Of all the scenarios she’d pictured as possibilities, this really was the worst. Okay, well, maybe it hadn’t been completely horrible. The experience was wonderful, it was only the aftermath that left her….vulnerable. And she really hated feeling like this.

What had she done wrong? She felt cold and abandoned, especially after he cursed under his breath and walked away from her. His mind boggling mood swing happened once again and she had no clue why this time.

Gaston walked into the bathroom and she heard the water running, not sure what he was doing but she just wanted to curl up and hide. How could she have let something like this happen? With him of all people! A tear slipped down from her eyes, wetting the pillow beneath her head and she pulled the comforter over her nakedness, ashamed of what she’d just done now that the heat of passion was over. She desperately needed his arms around her, some reassurance that what they’d just shared together hadn’t been one sided. But he’d walked away! How? Why? What could she possibly have done to anger him this time?

Gaston walked back into the bedroom and she cringed, unable to look him in the eye because she was too afraid that she’d see victory there.

She needed to leave. To get out of here. She sat up slightly, looking for her clothes but they were scattered all over the room. If he would just leave her alone, she could get dressed, but she’d missed her opportunity and now he was walking right towards her. She sank back into the mattress, afraid of his touch now that she knew what he could do to her willpower.

“Hey,” he said softly, bending low over her. “None of that now.” He lifted her into his strong arms, ignoring her feeble attempts to smack his arms away.

He carried her into the bathroom where steam from the sunken tub was wafting up. He’d even added some bubbles, making the room smell wonderfully soft and romantic. She couldn’t help putting her hands around his neck, unable to balance herself in his arms without doing that. But she wouldn’t relax. Even when he continued walking until they were both submerged into the bathtub that was more appropriately called a small swimming pool.

As the warm water enveloped them, she buried her face in his shoulder, not wanting him to see the tears that were flowing now. In the water, he just held her on his lap, his strong hands rubbing at the tense muscles in her back and shoulders while she cried, her sobs blocking out all the other sounds in the room.

When the storm finally subsided, she sniffed, but kept her face in his neck. He continued to rock her softly, his hands weaving magic despite her desire to resist his comforting touch.

“I’m sorry,” she heard him say. Over and over again, he just kept repeating those words, kissing her head, her shoulders, wherever he could reach.

She sniffed and lifted her head, almost cringing when his hand reached up to wipe her tears away. She probably looked like hell with her mascara running down her cheeks and her lipstick completely gone now. But she didn’t care about what she looked like. Well, she cared a little, but she wanted to understand why he was sorry.

“Why do you keep saying that?” she asked when she finally found her voice.

He pulled her closer, his strong arms cuddling her body against his. “Because this was all my fault,” he said. “The past seven years, the torture we put ourselves through. It’s all my fault.”

She searched his face, trying to figure out what he was saying. Was he finally going to tell her why he’d left her? Why he’d gone on to all those other women after he’d dumped her? “What are you trying to tell me, Gaston?” Her body tensed, not sure if she wanted to hear the explanation any longer. Maybe it was better if they just left, both went their separate ways. It seemed that every time they came together there was hurt and betrayal. She didn’t want that any longer. She just wanted someone to love. Someone who wouldn’t hurt her or cheat on her. Someone she could trust.

He sighed and leaned his head back against the tiles, closing his eyes. “Because I thought