Page 24 of Journey to Love

As I take in my surroundings, I'm struck by the luxuriousness of the room. "Damn, they have a balcony?" I mutter aloud, unable to hide my surprise.

Lana nods with a grin. "Anya upgraded us as a present for my birthday," she explains proudly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Anya emerges from the bathroom, her voice trailing off as her eyes land on me. I'm frozen in place, not because of her surprise, but because she's standing before me in a pink string bikini. Her bottoms barely cover her ass, and the top accentuates the curves of her breasts. She's absolutely stunning.

For a moment, time seems to stand still as we both take each other in. The air crackles with tension, thick with unspoken desire. My heart races in my chest, and I struggle to find my voice amidst the overwhelming surge of attraction.

Anya's wide-eyed gaze meets mine, and I can see the flicker of uncertainty mingled with a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. But in that moment, all I can think is how utterly captivating she looks, how every curve of her body seems to beckon to me with a silent promise of something more.

I clear my throat, trying to find the right words amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. "I, umm... I... uhhh..." But before I can articulate anything coherent, Lana comes to my rescue.

"I saw him at breakfast, and he said he needed to speak with you, so I invited him up," Lana explains, her tone casual yet supportive.

Anya's gaze flickers between Lana and me, her expression shifting from surprise to acceptance. "Oh, umm... okay," she murmurs softly, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looks down at her bikini-clad form. With a quick retreat into the bathroom, she emerges moments later, now wearing a sheer wrap tied around her waist.

Without a word, she gestures toward the balcony, and I follow her lead, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness as we step outside.

Anya stands near the railing, her arms leaning on the top as she gazes out into the vast expanse of the ocean. Instinctively, my eyes drift to her legs, tracing the curve of her body up to her perfectly sculpted ass.No!I mentally scold myself, shaking off the thoughts.

I join her, standing beside her and leaning on the railing, keeping a respectful distance but unable to tear my gaze away from her. The salty breeze tousles her hair, and the warmth of the sun bathes her skin, casting her in a graceful glow.

For a moment, we stand in silence, the only sound the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. The tension between us is palpable, thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. But in this moment, with the ocean stretching out before us and the sun dancing on the horizon, everything else fades away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in time.

Anya straightens, her arms crossed as she regards me with curiosity. "What did you need to talk to me about?" she asks. I take a step closer, but she retreats, a silent agreement settling between us to maintain a cautious distance. My heart sinks at her reaction. "Okay," I concede, sinking into a chair opposite her as she settles into a lounge chair. "I wanted to apologize for last night," I begin, noticing the confusion in her expression. "What do you mean?" she asks, her tone genuine. "I feel like I might have crossed a line on the dance floor and made you uncomfortable afterward," I explain, searching her eyes for any hint of agreement or understanding.

Anya gives me a knowing look and lowers her head. "You have nothing to apologize for, Jacob," she says softly. "I enjoyed myself, and I like spending time with you. But I think I was the one who got carried away." She exhales, her shoulders slumping. "Jacob, there are things about me that you don't know, and I'm not ready to talk about them... with anyone."

I wait, expecting her to continue, but she remains silent, her gaze fixed on the ocean. "I understand," I assure her. "We don't have to talk about anything you're not comfortable with." Leaning forward, I gently grasp her hand, relieved when she doesn't pull away. "Anya, look at me," I urge, but she keeps her head down. I tenderly lift her chin with my finger, meeting her tear-filled eyes. "I'll never pressure you into anything you're not comfortable with, I promise”, brushing a tear from her cheek. "Do you believe me?" I ask, watching as she closes her eyes, more tears slipping down her face. "Anya, please," I implore, cradling her face in my hands and stroking her cheek with my thumbs. She finally opens her eyes, meeting my gaze. "Do you believe me?" I repeat, holding her gaze until she nods silently. "Good girl," I whisper, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Taking her hand, we head back inside. But as I close the balcony door behind us, I'm caught off guard by a sudden, sharp pain in my stomach.

Chapter Thirteen

Anya

In the midst of the chaos, I jolted upright, bewildered by the scene unfolding before me. Jacob staggered, clutching his stomach, collapsing onto my bed, while Lana assumed a defensive kickboxing stance, her gaze fixed on him like a predator eyeing its prey.

"What the hell, Lana?" Jacob groaned, confusion etched on his face as he struggled for breath.

Lana's glare could cut through steel as she demanded, "What did I tell you back at the breakfast bar?"

Jacob's brow furrowed in bewilderment. "What?"

"When we were at the breakfast bar," Lana reiterated through gritted teeth, her stance unwavering, "what did I say?"

Caught off guard, I watched the tense exchange, trying to piece together the puzzle. Then, realization dawned on Jacob.

"I didn't hurt her!" he protested.

"You made her cry!" Lana's accusation hung heavy in the air.

"It wasn't because of me!" Jacob defended himself.

"Actually, it was," I interjected, sensing the tension escalating. Jacob's expression shifted to one of fear as Lana prepared to strike again. Acting quickly, I intervened, extending my hand to halt Lana's impending blow.

"Hold it!" I commanded, turning to face Lana. "Yes, he made me cry, but not in the way you think."

Confusion flickered across Lana's face. "What do you mean?" she inquired.

With a heavy sigh, I spoke up, "Jacob was genuinely sweet, thoughtful, caring, and, above all, respectful of my feelings." I reached out, clasping Lana's hands firmly as I locked eyes with her. "You understand my past, what's hidden behind closed doors," I tapped my temple gently, "so you know just how much his respect and understanding meant to me."

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