Page 81 of Wild Hearts

"That would be great, actually." We had some volunteers, but I wouldn't mind spending that time with my favorite people.

"I think for the holiday itself, I should spend it with Dakota and my family.”

I tried not to think about what he'd just said. That I wasn't to be included in any way with their holiday. That hurt even if I understood the sentiment behind it. "Have her grandparents asked to visit?"

"I was thinking of offering to go there while she's off school."

"Oh. I didn't realize you were planning to travel."

"I thought of it today. I haven't talked to her yet. But I'm sure her grandparents want to see her too."

I wondered if it was a good idea when she was just getting settled here, but it wasn't my place to offer advice. He had his therapists for that. A girlfriend was a different role than social worker, and I'd need to remember that. I wasn't even sure I was officially his girlfriend.

"What do you think?"

"You should do what feels right." Even if it sent me into a panic spiral. What if Dakota wanted to move home and be closer to her grandparents? She missed her friends and everything that reminded her of her mother. Walker would do whatever she needed him to do. I was positive about that. As he should. He wasn't doing anything wrong. I was just scared for what this meant for our relationship. It was so new and fragile. The trust wasn't there yet.

"I'll talk to Dakota about it tomorrow. The next week will be busy. I hope we can manage to get some time together."

"We'll make it work," I said with more confidence than I felt. The holidays were notoriously busy. I tended to get a few new cases during this time too. It was a hard time of year for everyone, emotionally and financially.

"I also promised my cousins I'd look into installing hot tubs at the cabins. I decided to start with mine first. If I mess something up, I can work out the kinks before I do the others."

"Where would it go?"

"On the back porch near the swing. I've seen it put there in other cabin rentals. It's a nice feature. It might not scream luxury, but it will give the guests an amazing view. Plus it's private here. It's not like the cabins are close to one another."

"That sounds really nice."

"I'd love to test it out."

My body heated. I could imagine making love in the hot tub with snow falling to the ground.

"I'd need Dakota to spend the night at Scarlett's or a friend's house to do what I want to do in a hot tub."

The desire shot through my body, making me ache. I hated being apart from him. "Speaking of Dakota, is she making more friends?"

"She talks to Christopher at the resort. But I'm not sure about how it's going at school."

"She'll talk to you when she's ready."

He was quiet for a few seconds, and then Walker said, "Are you in bed?"

"Yeah, in my pajamas." I was an early-to-bed kind of person when I didn't have plans.

"You up for a little phone sex?"

I giggled. "Is that what they call it now?"

"I have no idea. The idea of the hot tub and getting you alone in it has me hot all over."

"Me too."

"I was hoping you'd slip your hand down your panties and touch yourself for me, since I can't be there with you. Would you be willing to do that for me, Addison?"

There was something about the tone in his voice; I couldn't say no. "If that's what you want."

"Are you touching yourself yet?"

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