‘I can see you’re getting cold.’ He leaned back, letting his hand fall onto his thigh with a slap. ‘Come on, let’s get inside—I’ve made you suffer long enough.’ His rich accent rolled over one fantasy, but with smooth assurance he replaced it with another. ‘I’ve arranged a little treat to thank you for your patience.’

      ‘Oh, but you shouldn’t have,’ Michelle stammered, secretly feeling very glad that he had.

      Waving aside her pleasantries, Alessandro picked up two more big towels from the neatly folded pile on the poolside chair next to his. Swirling one around her shoulders, he draped a second over her wet hair. Michelle revelled in their soft, sun-warmed folds. That was luxurious enough. Then she felt his hands moving over them, blotting moisture from her shoulders and hair. She leaned into his touch, enjoying more intimacy than she had ever imagined.