Page 19 of She's Mine

As far as laying low and hideouts went, David’s cabin was like a luxury retreat, with every amenity you could desire, and an amazing chef. Being here would be like being on vacation, and I was determined to make the most of it.

“Would you like dessert?” Lawrence offered when we’d all finished eating. “I can whip something up. Or there’s ice cream in the freezer.”

“I’m good for now, thank you. If I want something sweet later, I’ll grab the ice cream,” I replied, having been struck by a muchmoretempting idea than dessert. “I was thinking of unwinding in the hot tub.”

Lawrence and Mavis exchanged a glance, and Mavis’ cheeks flushed with color. “We’ll leave you both to it then and have an early night.”

While I didn’t want to exclude Lawrence and Mavis or make them feel like they had to give David and I space, I couldn’t deny, the thought of spending some time alone with him was very appealing. Especially if it involved us being in the hot tub!

“I hope you both have a pleasant night,” I said, as Mavis and Lawrence cleared the table. Then I turned to David, and said, “Let’s go grab my cases.”

Before he could even say anything, I raced back into the house, and through to the garage. I grabbed the case I thought my bikini was in, and another one too, just in case, and left the others for David to bring inside -- hoping he could manage the other five alone. To some, seven cases might have seemed likea lot, honestly, it probably was. But I had no idea how long it would take for all the members of the Bloodline to be caught, and I wanted to be prepared for every eventuality.

I carried two of the cases inside, and upstairs to the guest room that would be my room for the indefinite future, as David went to retrieve the other cases. As I entered my room, I heard a giggling sound coming from the final room at the end of the hallway, and it made me smile to think Lawrence and Mavis were enjoying their alone time together.

I wasted no time opening my case and locating my bikini. I slipped into the bathroom to change, and when I appeared, David was standing there with the rest of my cases. His jaw dropped to the floor when he saw me.

He swallowed around a lump in his throat. “You’re serious about using the hot tub then?”

“Yeah, why not? The weather is still good, and I had a realization over dinner. I’m not going to let the Bloodline ruin this amazing opportunity for me. What you have here is the mostfantasticvacation retreat, and I plan to takefulladvantage of it.”

David grinned back at me. “Well, okay then. Give me a moment to change, and I’ll join you.”

As David changed, I made my way back downstairs, and poured us a glass each of the last of the wine. Then,just in case, I got another bottle out and went in search of an ice bucket to keep it chilled.

I was just checking the temperature of the water in the hot tub when David appeared on the deck, wearing a pair of loose-fitting swim shorts that came down to the top of his thighs. I had to suck in a breath and turn away when I saw him -- he lookedamazing.

Sure, I’d been naked with David once before, but at the time I’d been drunk, and I hadn’t been fully sober. Under the fairy lights strung on the deck, with nothing but his swimwear on, David looked like Adonis or something. He had a sprinkling of dark hair on his chest that only slightly obscured the spread of tattoos from his chest to sleeve his arms.

For a moment I was taken back to the night we’d shared together, and my heart rate increased.

I slipped into the water without making eye contact with David, and barely looked up when he joined me a few moments later.

“I’m glad you’re seeing our time here as a chance to relax and enjoy yourself,” he said, handing me a glass of wine. “I know you’re worried about your parents, but as I said on the drive here, they’re safe with Scott and Pedro. And you’re safe here with me. I want you to be able to enjoy yourself.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I took a sip of my wine. “How could I not? This place is like heaven, and I cannot wait to explore everywhere. I’ve already seen a dozen movies I want to watch, and books I want to read. And of course, there’s beating your highest score on Tetris.”

David laughed and splashed me with water. “You can try, but there’s no beating the master.”

Hearing David referring to himself as ‘the master’ did something funny to my stomach and chest, and I had to look away again before I got carried away with my thoughts.

If David noticed my strange behavior, he didn’t mention it, and instead closed his eyes and reclined in the hot water.

I closed my eyes too, and sank further into the water, enjoying the simple sounds of nature around us. It really was paradise, and I’d never felt so relaxed in my life.

I didn’t even realize I’d unconsciously moved closer to David until my leg brushed against his, and I opened my eyes to see him staring at me.

“What?” I asked, tilting my head to one side.

“I was just thinking how hot you look in that bikini,” David admitted, his cheeks flushed.

“That’s not what you said the first time you saw me wearing it,” I teased, moving in closer.

“Yes, and we both know why.” David licked his lips, as his gaze focused on my mouth.

I don’t know if I was emboldened by the alcohol, or just that I didn’t care anymore -- since being held at knife point and then having to say goodbye to my parents for who knew how long -- but whatever the reason, I couldn’t seem to move away from David. Instead, I inched in closer, and pressed my lips to his.

David resisted for only a moment, before his mouth claimed mine, and his tongue probed for entrance. Our tongues swirled together, and he kissed me until we were both breathless.

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