Page 52 of When Sinners Dare

Fresh from the shower, Kai is something to keep a smile on my face. He roughly dries his hair but stops as he catches me perched on the back of the sofa with the robe open. “Didn’t feel like dressing?” His eyes eat me up, and I enjoy the attention.

“It’s a beautiful day, and I feel I deserve to spend it enjoying the sun for once. I’ve not used the pool in weeks.”

“Whatever you say.”

I watch him dress, but he keeps his shirt open. “Come on.”

We walk out of my rooms, and I head downstairs. As we pass rooms, I point them out on our way through to the pool.

The sun hits us as we escape outside and walk around the decked area by the pool. It looks so inviting. “Fancy a dip?”

“I’ll pass, thanks.” He sits on one of the chairs set by the table, and I join him, positioning myself in the sun. A few minutes later, coffee and brunch arrive – a perfect morning. Still, beneath the surface, those questions are hovering that I want answers to. Maybe after my dip in the pool.

I graze on the fruit, and little egg cup bites between coffee and enjoy the company of a man other than my brothers. Kai looks like he’s not eaten for a week and tucks into everything.

“Hungry?”

“You could say that. I seem to remember working up an appetite.” He grins and sits back, resting his elbows on the chair.

“Do you have any questions for me?” I offer.

He doesn’t answer immediately, and I wonder if he’s hiding what he wants to say.

“I’m good.”

“Great. I’m going to go for a swim.”

“You know, you should really wait after eating.”

I stop and look at him, stunned that a man who’s been inside and could have easily beaten a guy to death would tell me to wait before swimming with a full stomach. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Yeah. Can't have you drowning and-” Giggling, I strip my robe and climb down the steps into the warm water. Seems the view silences him, which makes me smile some more.

I let the water wash around my shoulders and tilt my head back to drift off on my back. The sun bathes me in heat. Then, twisting my body, I propel myself to the edge of the pool before turning back to see he’s now standing by the side.

“Changed your mind?”

“Jeans don’t mix with water.”

“Take them off, then. I’ve already seen what’s underneath.”

I cover my face with my hand to shield my eyes from the glare of the sun, so I can watch what he does. To my joy, he unbuckles his belt, kicks off his boots and strips his jeans and shirt before diving into the water with just his underwear.

He pops up right in front of me. “Why, hello,” I greet.

Shaking his hair clear of water, he starts caging me against the side. “You’re a bad influence on me, you know.”

“I guess that’s a matter of perspective.”

I duck under the water, under his arms to escape him, and swim for the other side where I can stand on the bottom of the pool. He follows after me and pulls me back into his arms before turning me and brushing the water from my face as he holds me. “You’re beautiful, you know that? Truly.”

I look up into his eyes. “It’s nice to hear it from you.”

He leans down and kisses me. Possessive and deep – everything I crave. But I’m not someone to play with. If he’s doing this, talking like this, I want those questions answered.

“So,” I start, as he pulls his face away. “Where does this leave us?”

My words break the spell, and he loosens his grip on me in the water. “What do you mean?”

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