Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
___
Since we’re both hot and bothered, I tell Hayden I need to take a shower and clean up before we start the second part of our date.
He decides to use our short intermission to take Hades back home.
I’m a little sad to lose our chaperone.
Hades would have probably been more effective at keeping my clothes on than I’ll be by myself, but realistically, I knew this night wouldn’t end before Hayden and I had sex one last time.
I think about it as I dry off after my shower, then rub lotion all over my body.
I think about it when I pick out a pair of blue lacy panties to wear under my strapless midnight-blue sheath dress with a keyhole cut out between my breasts.
I love this dress.
The fabric is silky smooth against my skin, and it clings to every curve on my body. It’s very sexy, so I grab a thin white cardigan to go over it, then I find a pair of navy blue flats to finish the look.
I’m not sure what we’re doing for the next part of our date, but just in case a lot of walking is involved, I don’t want to be wearing heels.
It’s a few minutes before six when Hayden rings my doorbell.
“You changed,” I say, leaning against the doorframe and looking him over. He’s wearing a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show off his sexy arms and a pair of dark blue jeans.
He looks me up and down, a faint smile on his perfect lips. “So did you,” he points out. His gaze lingers on my bare legs, and I shift on my feet, anxious to get out of here before he gets me in the house and out of my clothes.
“Are you ready to go?” he asks.
I nod and grab my purse, then I make sure to lock up.
Parker should be home from Hannah’s house soon, so I text her in the car to let her know I’m going out, and to text me when she’s home and the place is locked up again.
I have to admit, though, I feel safer than I did before Hayden got involved. I know there are cameras, and I’ll get an immediate notification on my phone if anything is amiss. I can check the live view anytime to make sure everything is all right, and now that the neighbors think Hades might be staying with me, I highly doubt any of them will step foot on my property.
He really has made all of my problems go away.
Well, those problems.
He’s a whole new problem, and I have a feeling he won’t help me fix that one.
Chapter Ten
Gemma
Hayden takes me to a nice restaurant for dinner, then to his brother’s bar for a couple of drinks.
I don’t drink as much this time since I’m less nervous. When I feel myself getting tipsy, I switch to water, then when Hayden finishes his drink, he pays the bill, takes my hand, and we walk along the beach.
I love walking the beach at night. It’s so peaceful.
I take off my flats and carry them in one hand so I can sink my toes in the sand.
Hayden hangs back and watches me for a little while. We don’t talk, but the silence is companionable and not awkward at all. I love being around someone I can just be with in the quiet without the constant expectation of conversation. Some moments don’t require words.
I move closer to the water’s edge so I can use my toes to write in the wet sand before the water comes and washes it away.
That’s our relationship, really. We’re playing in the sand, knowing the waves will wash it all away before anyone can ever see it. It’ll be like it was never there to begin with, and only we will know it was.
It’s kind of beautiful in a way.
It could be sad, but I’d rather think of it as beautiful.
The waves lap at my ankles. I wish I had a swimsuit on underneath my dress. It’s a balmy night, perfect for playing in the water without worrying my fair complexion will earn me a painful sunburn.
Turning back to Hayden, I look him over. He’s standing guard, his hands shoved in his pockets, watching me play in the ankle-deep water.
“Have you ever gone skinny-dipping?” I ask him.
His lips tug up. “Yes. Have you?”
I shake my head and make another heart in the sand while the waves roll away from the shoreline. “A friend dared me to once, but I was too afraid someone would see me.”
“Is that a common occurrence for you?”
I look up at him, a questioning smile on my lips. “Do a lot of people dare me to skinny dip?” I tease. “No, I can’t say they do.”
He smiles but shakes his head, still wanting his answer. “Do you skip a lot of experiences because you’re afraid of them?”