Page 175 of Ewan

With that, his willingness to give me more ends abruptly.

“You know what? What about we go outside, and I’ll cook for you,” he offers, pushing his chair back and already pivoting toward the refrigerator to retrieve some of that food.

“Sure,” I say, stifling my surprise.

Grabbing my cup of coffee, I follow him outside, curious to see what he plans to cook.

35

SCARLETT

I completely forgetabout our conversation after watching him prepare dinner for me.

We eat outside, and no matter how much we dance around the topic, I can’t ignore how spellbinding the place is.

It’s not big or pretentious.

It’s just perfect to feel at home. We have dinner, drink wine, and enjoy our dessert, and I have to confess to him that this is probably one of the best Christmases I’ve ever had.

“Are you up for a swim?” he asks as we finish eating.

“Now?”

“Yes. The pool is heated.”

I look at the water gently rippling in the blue-lit pool.

It looks enticing, but I never thought I’d swim this evening, so I didn’t come prepared.

“I don’t have a swimming suit.”

A smile tugs at his lips.

“Who said you needed a swimming suit? No one can see you.”

Other than him, of course.

It’s interesting how self-aware I have become.

He spread my legs open and pumped into me, and now I’m suddenly shy about lapping around the pool in my birthday suit.

“You can keep your panties on if it makes you feel better,” he says––how generous of him––and he pulls his top over his shoulders before shedding his pants and shoes.

Wearing only boxers, he walks away from me and dives into the clear blue water before spending a few seconds swimming at the bottom.

My eyes remain on his muscular body as I take him in.

What a beautiful man, I think to myself before he resurfaces.

“Are you coming or not?” he says, placing his hands on the concrete edge and shaking the water from his hair, a dazzling smile on his lips.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you,” I say, rising from my seat.

He drops his gaze.

“Take your clothes off, baby. It’s only us.”

Pacing myself, I take off my clothes and walk to the edge of the pool in my underwear.

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