Pure Lust Vol. 1 by M. S. Parker, Cassie Wild Page A

interest in pedicures by the pool, so he swam laps while I enjoyed one, and a massage. I wanted to close my eyes at the heavenly pressure of the foot rub, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
    Even wet, there were streaks of gold coming out in his light brown hair. His hands and neck were slightly darker due to his days out on the polo fields, but he looked golden.
    I watched him, strong and lithe in the pool, not only because he was gorgeous, but because it was easier than taking in our surroundings. I’d never been in a hotel so luxurious and I felt out of place. I was sure the woman scrubbing at my neglected feet was shaking her head at the thought of another rich man dragging some pretty girl up from the gutter.
    Could we ever really fit?
    He was from a family with pedigree, a public image, and a clearly healthy empire. I was a country girl trying to make it in the big city , just barely scraping by day to day.
    W hat exactly did he see in me?
    When the spa attendant finished packing us into our mud baths and left us alone in the steamy Turkish tiled room , I had to blink back tears. Even here, the luxury followed us, reminding me of who he was versus who I was.
    “Is yours too hot? Want me to ring for the attendant?” His voice was soft, tender with concern.
    I shook my head. “No, no, that’s not it. ” My throat tightened up. “ I just don’t think I can handle all of this.”
    “The pampering?” he asked, clearly confused.
    “No,” I said. I couldn’t keep it inside anymore. “ Edward, I’m out of place here. If it wasn’t for you, I’d never be able to afford so much as a glass of mineral water for the bar here. Doesn’t it bother you ? ”
    M ud squelch ed as he sat up, but he ignored it. Face somber, he gazed at me. “Listen to me. I’m paying because I want you here with me. I don’t expect you to pay for any of this. I probably wouldn’t be able to either if it wasn’t for my family.”
    “But you run their big company doing whatever it is you do,” I said.
    “And you write and get coffee.” He laughed softly and reached out, trailing a hand down my mud-slicked arm. “I’m surprised you haven’t been pulled into modeling. Kendra’s one of the big up and comers and you’re so beautiful. I’m sure somebody has seen you, noticed you…”
    My stomach dropped.
    “I did,” I said slowly.
    “Oh?” His brows shot up.
    “I did a shoot. Once. I was never called back.”
    “Sounds like it didn’t go well.” Concern darkened his eyes.
    The sight of it had my belly twisted. “It’s not that. I just…”
    “Tell me you didn’t end up with one of those slimy photographers who seduces every woman he gets in front of the camera,” he said, disgust thick in his voice.
    And that clinched it. Shame a hot, heavy weight in me, I lied. “No. It just wasn’t my thing. When he didn’t call me back in, I was relieved.”
    “It’s not for everybody.” Edward caught my hand and squeezed, swinging back onto the table. “I’m glad you’re here with me, Gabriella. I want you here with me.”
    Face burning, I closed my eyes.
    Between the guilt from the lie and the annoying sense that I wasn’t doing anything to earn what I had going on, it was almost impossible to relax, but slowly, bit by bit, I did. Succumbing to the heat of the bath, the tension gave way and the guilt that sat like a stone in my belly began to dissolve.
    I hadn’t intended to sleep with Flynn.
    I’d thought I’d sensed something with him, something real. But I hadn’t. Maybe he was one of those sleazy photographers. I’d put it behind me. There was no reason for it to cloud things between Edward and me and it wasn’t like it was going to ever haunt me again. I hadn’t even signed a release for the pictures, so he couldn’t use them. Photographers had to have a release—that was one thing I knew from working with Kendra. I had taken the money though.
    As to the opulence of the lodge, and everything else