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I give them another once over. “I can be happy with these.”
What I’m not happy about is the hot jealousy in my stomach at the thought of other women—lots of women—ogling these covers with pictures of him.
“Three book covers means you owe me. We never agreed on a payment plan.”
I set the printed pictures on the dresser and turn to him. “I think we’re even now. If I remember correctly, we agreed to a payment in kisses and additional payment for more than kisses. We’ve done more. I also recall you telling me this is a way of life for me to try out. That would void the payment plan, wouldn’t it?” I rest my hand on my jutted hip.
He strolls to me. “Someone is in a sassy mood today.”
I’ve been more uptight than usual, that’s for sure. Time away from Atlanta and what happened has definitely helped ease me back into myself. “Have you heard anything from the PI? I forgot his name.”
“Steven.” Easton puts his hands on my hips, as if to hold me in place. “He’s still looking into it.”
I sigh and focus on his dark blue shirt. “He’s not going to find anything. There isn’t enough to go on, and I don’t feel threatened anymore. Maybe you should tell him to stop wasting his time. I doubt he’s cheap, and I can’t imagine it will lead to anything helpful at this point.”
His grip tightens on my hips. “He’s not wasting his time. He will find something, and you don’t feel threatened anymore because you’re here and you know you’re safe. That could change when you get back to Atlanta.”
“Maybe. But my mom and Tim will be back by the end of the week. I won’t be alone, and I won’t have to go into the office. I can work remotely. I miss my plants and DP misses his home.” I glance at the hamster cage on the dresser. He runs every night, but it’s like white noise to me and doesn’t disrupt my slumber.
“He seems happy to me,” Easton says. “If he’s lonely, you can bring him downstairs during the day. He might like the view out the windows.”
“I hadn’t thought about that.”
“You could put him on the porch for a little while, too. I can turn on the heater out there to keep him warm.”
I can’t stop a smile from forming. “That’s really sweet. He might like that. I would like it, too.”
“Speaking of heat. There’s a fire pit in The Four Seasons. We can bring marshmallows and make s’mores while we’re out there.”
“A fire pit? Isn’t that dangerous? What if the dock catches on fire?” From what I can see, the entire structure is made of wood.
He chuckles, and his hands slide to my waist. “It’s small, portable, and on a metal plate. Nothing will catch fire. Even if it did—and it won’t—the boat will be there for a quick, easy escape. But it won’t. I promise.”
I step away from him and stare out the balcony doors to the lake and the barely visible floating structure. “That’s a long way to swim, and the water is freezing.”
“Sadie.” He chuckles again and stands behind me, placing his hands back on my hips. “Nothing bad will happen. You won’t need to swim anywhere. I’m basically giving you your fantasy—to swim naked in a lake under the stars. It’s a clear sky tonight. Too cold for nudity or swimming, but you’ll be on the water, floating, warm and safe.”
His visual and the fact that he remembered my teasing fantasy, has me melting toward him. I lean back.
His chin comes down on the top of my head.
It’s such an intimate way to stand, as if we’re a couple. I know him as well as I would a boyfriend. Better, even. I now know him sexually too, even if we haven’t actually had sex.
It’s getting confusing. I’ll need space from him by the end of next week, lots of space to clear my head and set me on the right path. I’m not ready to date other people. What I’m doing with Easton is different. I trust him. I’m not ready to open myself up in any way to someone new. I still have to deal with Dash. He keeps texting me about getting back together, and I keep replying I need more time.
Easton’s phone rings.
He moves away from me and answers the call.
“Daire? What do you need?” He gets quiet. “You’re sure?” His tone carries an edge. I glance over my shoulder.
He’s walking out of the room. “Uh-huh. No. I’ll come there. I want to see them.” He ends the call, his shoulders tense, his jaw tight.
“Is everything okay?”
He runs his hand through his thick grown-out hair, the golden-brown strands falling in disarray. Has anyone ever been as sexy as he is? No one I’ve ever known.
I walk toward him and place my hand on his cheek. “What’s wrong?”
