Page 44 of Navigating Lexie

Lexie

Lexieallowedhermind to wander as she counted the rotations of the fan circling the room above her. After stuffing her face with pizza, she escaped to her room, needing just a few moments alone to process the entirety of the day.

A knock interrupted her thoughts--it was so faint she almost missed it. She pushed herself up onto her elbows and turned toward the door, making sure she heard correctly. She heard it again; two knuckles tapped against the heavy wood door. She threw her legs onto the floor and took three steps toward the door and popped it open several inches, just enough to let the light from the hallway assault her eyes, which had adjusted to the dark in her room over the last hour. Standing in the door frame was Nav’s goofy smile. He was wearing sweats and had his hands tucked into the pockets of his pants. She opened the door further, resting her hand along the doorknob.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked sensually.

Her eyes met his and she was instantly butter. She stepped away from the door frame, releasing her hold and extending her arm toward the room. As he stepped through the threshold his body grazed against hers. He glanced around the room and turned to face her, rubbing his jaw. “Actually, I have a better idea.”

She stood and stared back at him with an eyebrow raised. What did he have planned?

“And what might that be?” she asked, keeping her voice low. Everyone had been so kind to not ask them a million questions at dinner, she didn’t want to cause a scene now.

“Come on,” he said as she watched him walk out, his obvious swagger leading the charge. She glanced around the room, unsure if she wanted to follow, but sighed heavily and shut the door gently as she shuffled her slippered feet to catch up to him. This mansion definitely permitted the opportunity to find a quiet space outside of their bedrooms, but she also had no idea where everyone else was. Nav continued his steady pace as he walked down the hall past the stairs leading down onto the main floor. Lexie looked over the railing, but the main floor was dark. She found she was lagging behind so quickened her pace and met up with him as he stalled at a large wooden door.

“Where are we?” she whispered.

He turned to face her and pressed his index finger to his lips, signaling for her to shut up. He pushed the door slightly ajar, noted it was clear, andstepped through the threshold. She was surprised to find a set of stairs hidden here in the dark. He reached back and grabbed her hand in his as he navigated his way down the narrow staircase. They reached a small landing with doors on each side. Nav clearly knew what he was doing as he flipped the lock on a heavily-bolted door and stepped through. She followed behind as they exited into the humid evening air. She tried to catch her bearings but couldn’t figure out where they were. They were clearly on the side of the mansion, but the dark abyss around them was playing tricks on her vision. Nav still held her hand and guided them through the narrow path. She could sense the greenery beside her and was able to see the cobbled walkway they were currently on. She heard the crisp leaves brush against Nav’s skin as he pushed his way through. The heat rolling off the shrubs was causing sweat to bead up along the base of her neck. Just as she thought she couldn’t take another moment, they popped out into a small clearing. She glanced around, trying to adjust to the night only illuminated by the stars above. The small patio they were standing on didn’t appear familiar, but it was made of the same material as the rest of the house, so she knew they weren’t too far from where they had been. Nav tugged her toward him as he pushed his way down another narrow path, much like the last. She was thankful to discover this one was much shorter. As they stepped out from the greenery, Lexie was happy to see the familiar sights of the cabana they had found earlier in the day. Nav walked over and powered up the lights along the pool and inside the cabana.

“I thought maybe we could stay out here tonight if you’re up for it.”

Lexie responded by pulling Nav in for a kiss that livened every nerve ending throughout her body.

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