Page 104 of Sinful Pleasure

I looked up to find Maddox visibly surprised.

“The lake? How do you know about this place?”

“Lara told me,” I said, shrugging. “I’d like to see it.”

He sighed, removing his coat.

“Very well. Looks like we’re going to see the lake after all.”

“We? Can’t I just go alone?”

“No.”

Maddox didn’t offer any further explanation, as if the idea wasn’t even up for discussion.Without waiting for me to respond, he turned and walked toward the kitchen.

*****

An hour later, I was done with my tasks, changed into a white bikini just in case, with a short white dress over it.

When I made my way downstairs, Maddox was already waiting, speaking on the phone. He gave me a once-over before walking out, and I followed him.

“Do you know the way to the lake?”

I asked as we walked down a tree-lined path.

It was peaceful and so beautiful.

The King’s estate became a mere speck in the distance.

“Yes. I used to come here a lot as a kid.”

“With Angelo?”

“Alone”

I nodded. He clearly didn’t want to share more, so I kept pace behind him in silence.

We didn’t walk much longer before we stopped, and he stepped aside to allow me to pass at the end of the trail. As I did, I gasped.

In front of me lay a small, pristine pond, its crystal-clear waters surrounded by trees draped in blossoms. It was as if I’d stepped into a fairy tale. A secret haven hidden behind the trees.

My eyes struggled to take it all in, trying to etch the beauty into my memory, hoping I could hold onto it forever.

“It’s so beautiful!” I exclaimed, rushing to the water and dipping my fingers into the cool surface.

When I was little, I dreamed of having a small, cozy house in a spot like this—far away from everything and everyone. I didn’t need much, just this, and a person to make it feel like home.

“How much time do we have before we leave?”

I turned to look at Maddox, catching him staring at me with an unreadable expression. But his eyes… his eyes were softer than usual.

“Two hours,” he muttered, watching me slip off my shoes. “What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m going in,” I said, raising an eyebrow as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He just stared at me.“Aren’t you coming?”

“Fuck no,” he said, his face scrunching up like the very idea was ridiculous.I nodded, too excited to care.

I forgot to remove my dress and just waded into the water with it still on. The cool water collided with my skin,soothing me, easing the tension I hadn’t even realized was there.For the first time in a long while, I felt like a little kid again. Carefree and happy.

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