Page 65 of Covenant

I tilt my head back and feel the sun on my face once more. As I do this, I can feel his gaze on me the entire time, watching me intently. But I don’t look his way, just let him ogle his fill until he finally turns around and walks away.

In the distance, I hear the front door open and close and I let out a long breath.

He can fucking run but he was always terrible at hiding. I always found him.

And this time is no different.

* * *

The villa is expansive, everything beach-themed and luxurious. All of the rooms are open and bright. Alive. Exotic flowers sit on end tables, and windows look out to the ocean beyond. It’s beautiful. Everything about this is picturesque. It’s exactly what I imagined it would be.

My gaze travels around the space and I realize Matthias is nowhere to be found. Of course he’s hiding. It’s what he likes to do when things get hard.

I move through the living room, kicking off my shoes and unbuttoning my shirt as I go, letting the warm air hit my exposed skin. Shit, that’s nice. So much better than the rain and cold of the Pacific Northwest.

Matthias would love this, but he’s not around.

I should just enjoy my time here on this island alone. If Matthias wants to ignore me, then he can. But that hidden part of me that rose up on the way here appears again. This time stronger.

Defiance.

I won’t let him ignore me.

The game is no fun if he’s not a participant.

And to be honest, I’m lonely. A part of me remembers how we were ages ago, when we were just children, how good it was, how fun. I miss that.

I miss who we were.

And yet I know we can’t go back. There are too many new feelings. Too many things have changed.

Still, I can’t help myself. I don’t understand the part of me that covets his attention, and I’m tired of trying to. There’s no way to analyze it that makes it make sense.

The only thing I’m sure about is I want him to look at me.

Make him see me.

I step outside but he’s not there. Instead, lush plants cover the garden—bird of paradise, hibiscus, yellow elders. It’s the perfect spot to relax in. Heaven.

I spot the infinity pool and groan loudly. It’s overlooking the ocean, the sunshine sparkling on the surface like glitter. I’ve never seen a more inviting sight.

Part of me wants to strip down and just sink into it, to just let the water wash it all away.

No one is around to see me if I do. Matthias sure as hell isn’t.

Fuck it.

My hands move to the bottom of my shirt and I tug it off, letting it flutter to the ground. Next, I unbutton my pants and then I’m kicking them off as well.

And without even trying to talk myself out of it, I’m naked.

My feet carry me to the edge of the pool, my cock and balls swinging between my legs, and without another thought, I plunge in, letting the lukewarm water wash over me. My ears pop as I sink to the bottom of the pool and my eyes open, everything blurry before me.

Bubbles float to the top of the water as I emerge, gasping for breath. And then I sink again, drifting to the edge of the pool which looks out over the horizon.

The sun glimmers over me as I emerge. The blue sky lightens my mood and some of the tension I’ve been carrying slips away.

That’s when I hear a throat clearing behind me.

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