Page 90 of The Kidnapped

“I like taking baths with you,” Hollis said as she lay her back against Raleigh’s front.

“If your mom wakes up and finds us like this, though, it’s on you. I’m just hiding my face behind your back and pretending like you forced this upon me,” Raleigh joked, kissing Hollis’s bare shoulder.

“I needed this,” Hollis said. “I love having you here when I get home. Is that wrong?”

“No, I think we’re supposed to like spending time together,” Raleigh replied, running her hands up and down Hollis’s arms. “Now, want to tell me what you were avoiding telling me at dinner?”

“No, because you’re not supposed to know me this well yet, so I should have more time before you figure out that I’m not telling you everything,” Hollis replied, resting her head back against Raleigh’s shoulder.

“Too late, I think,” Raleigh said, kissing Hollis’s cheek. “But you don’t have to tell me.”

“It’s my dad. He called and left a message.”

“What did he say?”

“He wants me to visit and decide if I’m going to help him or not.”

“He’s pressuring you?”

“I won’t talk to his lawyer, so this is the next step, I guess.”

“I think it’s important you know something,” Raleigh said.

“What?”

“That whatever you decide is the right decision.”

“How is that even possible?”

“Because it’ll be what you need; what’s right for you. You’re the only person who matters here.”

“My mom matters. My–”

“She’s already told you what she thinks, Holl. And she’s an amazing mother. She understands you’re her first priority always and that whatever you need here should come first.”

“You called me Holl.”

“Yeah?”

“You’ve never called me Holl. No one has, I guess.”

“Your name is a mouthful.”

“And ‘Raleigh’ just rolls off the tongue?” Hollis said, giggling.

“Now, we’re talking about my tongue? Are you sure you want to be in the bathtub right now? My tongue rolls pretty well somewhere else.” Raleigh wrapped her arms around Hollis’s middle and squeezed.

“You know I wish we could just go to your place and have sex on every surface, right?”

“I know,” Raleigh said. “And ditto. But we need to be here, and that’s okay.”

“Are you sure? You have work. You have Eden.”

Raleigh kissed Hollis’s shoulder again and said, “Would you like to be introduced to my normal nightly routine tonight?”

“What does it entail?” Hollis asked.

“Her Facebook page and the website. I also make weekly calls to the cops and the FBI, and I’ve been bugging Dylan too much already.”

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