Alex's P.O.V.

"Don't blame me later." I wink at her before gripping the straps of her bra and tearing it off in one swift, rough motion. Her gasp is lost as my mouth finds her neck, and I attack her skin with hungry kisses, sucking and biting, leaving marks that claim her as mine.

My hands are everywhere, roaming over her exposed skin. I roughly cup her breasts before squeezing them with a desperation I can't control. Her nipples harden beneath my touch, and I twist and pinch them, eliciting a sharp cry from her lips.

She arches into me, her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as her moans fill the night air, mixing with the sound of crashing waves. Her pleasurable whimpers drive me wild, making me harder.

"God, Stella, the way you moan," I whisper against her skin before capturing her lips again and devouring them hungrily. Our bare chests pressed together, our hearts beating in sync.

Her hips buck against me, seeking friction, and with a smirk on my face, I grind my knee between her thighs, pressing into her lace-covered soaking-wet pussy. She shudders beneath me, her nails digging into my back as she gasps against my mouth.

"Alex... please..." she pants, her voice breaking with need.

I press my knee harder against her, rubbing her through the thin fabric of her panties, feeling how wet she is for me. Her head falls back, her lips parting as another moan escapes her, sending a jolt of heat straight through me.

"Look at you." I watch her as she writhes beneath me, her desire laid bare. "So desperate, so fucking perfect, and completely mine."

Her breathless pleas and the way she clings to me only push me further, making me crave her in a way that I can't describe. I know I'm on the edge of losing control, but tonight, that's exactly what she wants from me—and I'm more than willing to give it to her.

I move my hand down and tear off her panties with a rough tug, exposing her to me completely.

My eyes darken at the sight. "Fuck, I can't believe this gorgeous pussy belongs to me now."

As she presses her thighs together, I immediately yank them apart with my firm hands.

"Don't you dare close them in front of me?" As I deliver a sharp smack to her soaked centre, her surprised gasp fills the air.

I stroke her wet folds with my fingers, feeling her slickness coat my skin, and she stammers, "I didn't want to, but your words... they send a jolt down there, and my legs just closed on their own."

"Whatever the reason... I don't care." I grip her chin, forcing her to look at me as my voice drops to a dangerous growl. "Your legs shouldn't be closed now."

Her lips curl into a mischievous smile as she asks, "Or else?"

My jaw tightens, and I lean in closer, my lips brushing against hers. "Or else you'll face the consequences."

Her smirk widens. "Alex Blackwood, do you know you look even hotter while warning me with that dark expression? It's making me even wetter."

"Really?" I grin, my fingers still teasing her as I press my forehead to hers, our hearts racing. "Then maybe I should give you more warnings."

A shiver runs down my spine as her hands travel down my chest to my stomach, our eyes locked in a heated stare. Her fingers trace over my muscles, teasing the waistband of my boxers.

"Maybe you should. But you know, I like to break the rules." Her teasing words only make my pulse race faster, and I capture her wrists, pinning them above her head against the sand.

Fuck, I like her. Tonight, I'm seeing the real side of Stella during our sexual encounter, and it's setting my body on fire. I always knew she was fierce and had a sharp tongue, but recently, she seemed shattered and wasn't quite herself, so I'd almost forgotten about that fire inside her. But now, her fierce side is back, and it's making me lose control even faster.

As I release her hands and reach down to pull my boxer, I see a glint of mischief in her eyes. But before I can react, Stella scoops up a handful of sand and flings it into my face.

"What the fuck!" I groan, blinking and shaking my head as she scrambles up.

When I clear my eyes, she's already sprinting toward the water, her laughter echoing across the beach.

Who does that?

"Catch me, Alex." She throws a playful glance over her shoulder.

I shout, frustrated. "What the fuck was that?"

I wipe the sand from my face and stare at her in disbelief. She's completely naked, her bare skin glowing in the moonlight, and yet she's running around as if she's forgotten about this.

"Did you forget how much I love to annoy you?" She slows her pace as she reaches the shoreline. "Your pain-in-the-ass stepsister is back."

I shake my head, a smile spreading across my face. I'm so damn glad the old Stella is back. But seriously, who on earth throws sand at a man right before he is about to fuck her?

God! This woman is crazy, but I can't stop my heart from beating for her.

She stands by the water, laughing, her chest rising and falling with each breath. And it's the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. My heart pounds in my chest, and I know without a doubt—I'm in way too deep.

"Come on, Alex. Catch me if you can," she teases, her hands on her hips.

My jaw drops, both at her audacity and at how fucking hot she looks standing there, completely naked, her body bathed in the soft glow of the moon. Does she even realise she's naked? Or does she just not care?

"Stella, if I catch you, you'll be in trouble. So come back to me right now," I warn, narrowing my eyes at her.

She winks, splashing water in my direction. "I'm not scared of you. Now, if you want me, you'll have to catch me first."

I chuckle darkly. "You're going to regret this." With that, I dash toward her.

She lets out a playful squeal and dashes into the water, splashing through the waves as I walk closer to her. She's fast, but I'm faster.

Water sprays around us as I chase her, and for a second, I'm distracted by her laughter—the pure, carefree sound of it. It makes me pause, just for a moment. I'm lost in the way she's laughing with no walls up, no pain weighing her down.

It warms my heart, and I feel proud to have brought back this carefree version of Stella.

But then she splashes water in my face, snapping me out of my daze.

"Oh, you're definitely gone now, Flower." I run towards her.

She tries to dodge, but I'm too quick. I grab her by the wrist and spin her around, pulling her back against me. Her wet body presses against mine as I lock her arms behind her, pinning her in place.

"If you try something like that again, I might just have to tie you up," I whisper in her ear, feeling her body tremble.

"Why not now? I might run again." She winks at me over her shoulder.

She is way too much, and I'm loving it.

"Not tonight, Stella."

She raises a brow. "Why not?"

A dark grin stretches across my face. "Because I have something else in mind to punish my mischievous stepsister," I say, my voice rough with desire. "So if you don't want to regret it more, just do what I say."

A shiver runs through her at the tone of my voice, and she bites her lip, nodding. "Okay."

"Good girl." I release my grip on her wrists. "Now, get on all fours."