Page 60 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Archan rests his arm over the back of his chair. “I’m responsible for what, Natia?”

Strolling over, I slide my ass on the table with my feet on the chair so I can look down at him—it makes me feel better. “The ice cream.”

He flicks his eyes at the ice cream and grins. “In that case, can I have a taste?”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure you deserve it.”

Aaden rolls his eyes as Duncan mutters, “She also becomes an incurable flirt.” Ignoring Duncan, I have a few more spoonfuls of ice cream. My calf cramps painfully, making me scrunch up my face, and I rub it reflexively. The workout with Zee is catching up to me.

Placing the ice cream in front of Archan, I present him with the spoon. “Here… he’s a good listener. I’ve just remembered I have a hot date with someone who will make me sweat and work out all of my tension.”

His eyes widen as he watches me slide off the table and sing along to Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” I head to the balcony doors, slide them open, and stand for a moment, adjusting to the cool air.

I give the hot tub the eye. “Hey, you… as promised, here I am.” Stripping off my yoga pants and sports bra, I dump them on the slate floor.

Duncan shouts, “Shit!” Then multiple chairs scrape across the wooden floor as I step into the hot tub. I hiss as my feet sting then moan as I sink deeper into the warmth already coaxing my cramping muscles loose. Wiggling around, trying to get comfortable, I realize the issue; I lift my ass off the seat, slip off my panties, and throw them over my shoulder. A masculine grunt follows the sound of a wet slap of fabric. I twist to look over my shoulder, just in time to see Archan peeling them off his head.

Have you ever had one of those laughs where the more you laugh, the more you can’t stop? That was me, hysterically laughing, naked, in a hot tub.

“Is there room for one more?” Jed begs, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Do I look like a hussy?” I glare at him and lean to the other side of the tub to adjust the settings to massage and turn up the heat. The staff never set it hot enough. Zee groans.

Placing my hands on my hips, I turn to face them. “What?” Aaden and Duncan usher Zee inside, and Jed is looking at the sky like it’s the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen. Archan lowers his hungry gaze, and I do the same. Oh, shit… I have two options. Dive down, embarrassed, or own it. I decide to own it.

Continuing to stand, I stare Archan down. “Haven’t you ever seen a naked woman before?” His eyes drift to my breasts, where my nipples have hardened. It takes everything I have not to put my arms over them.

“I have never seenyournaked body, Natia.”

Shrugging, I give him my back and ass. He hisses.

I push my spine against a strong jet. “I’m sure it’s no better than the hundreds of women you’ve seen before.”

He closes the space behind me, scoops my wet hair off one shoulder, then trails kisses from the sensitive skin under my ear to my collarbone. Instinctively, I turn my head to the side, giving him better access.

“I have never seen a body as perfect as yours. It makes me ache to touch you,” he whispers, placing another kiss further down my chest, “and to fuck you until you’re mindless.”

I blink, his words clearing some of my brain fog. I glide to sit on the opposite side of the tub.

“You’re the reason I need ice cream. Your date is tomorrow. Tonight, I’m all his.” I skim my arms over the top of the water and smile. His face is priceless. “People don’t say ‘no’ to you often, do they?” I quip.

He shakes his head. “Not until you.” His gaze turns predatory.

I narrow my eyes. “Stop looking at me like that. I’m not a challenge; you can’t control me. So don’t even try.”

A slow, wicked grin spreads across his face. Shit, I’ve made it worse. Deciding words aren’t going to get rid of him, I scoop up some water and throw it at him, aiming for his face. But he’s a giant, so it hits his chest instead—good enough.

Jed bursts out laughing as Archan wipes some of the water from his shirt. Vaguely, I hear a little voice warning me I’ll regret this in the morning.

Suddenly, Zee steps outside, with Duncan on his heels, presenting me with a fluffy bathrobe. Archan tries to grab the robe, but Zee holds it tight. “Everyone inside.”

Duncan glares at Archan. “Agreed… this has gone far enough.”

I arch an eyebrow at Zee. “You’regoing to help me?”

“I’ve already seen you naked in the shower.”

Archan growls, and I roll my eyes—alpha males.

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