AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you want a drink or anything?” he asks.
“No, thanks. I’ve got water in here.” I jostle the beach bag slung over my shoulder.
He grabs a bottle of water from the fridge and we continue on through the back porch and outside. The sun’s powerful rays beat down on me as I set my bag on the patio next to a chaise lounge.
Kaiden sets his water down on the small table between the two chaises, then tugs his t-shirt over his head, revealing his drool-worthy abs.
I try to look away before he notices, but the hint of a smile on his lips tells me I failed. What can I say? My reflexes were short circuited from the sizzling-hot view in front of me.
“Now it’s your turn,” he says, tugging on my dress-like coverup.
Talk about being put on the spot.It’s bad enough knowing he’s going to see me in my bathing suit, but this makes it like I’m stripping on command.
Here goes nothing.
I push the straps off each of my shoulders, catching the loose material as it falls to my knees. Stepping free, I drop the coverup on the chaise, leaving me standing in front of him in my black bikini and favorite flip flops. Every single one of my body’s flaws rushes to the forefront of my mind, and my gaze focuses on the shimmering pool water. It’s difficult not to feel insecure when you’re standing in front of someone who looks like every inch of him has been carved out of stone by one of the great Italian sculptors.
Kaiden blows out an audible sigh and I look at him. With both hands gripping his hair, his eyes flick up and down my frame. I can tell he also likes what he sees.
“Do you want to swim?” he asks.
“I think I’ll wait a bit.” I sit on the edge of the lounger and rifle through my bag. I find my black wide-brimmed hat, tugging it on and angling it low over my brow before I lie back on the thick cushion.
Kaiden sits on the chaise next to mine. “Nice hat.”
“Thanks. It was a gift from Stella.”
“How is Stella these days?”
“She’s great. She works for a marketing firm in the city and lives in a tiny studio apartment two blocks away from there. She’s got a boyfriend but he lives in Georgia, and both of them seem content to see each other when they can.”
“I’m glad she’s doing well.”
“You can ask me, you know,” I say.
“Ask you what?”
“About Valentina. It won’t upset me.”
“I didn’t think it would. I haven’t brought her up because I don’t care what she’s up to.”
“Are you angry with her?”
He shakes his head emphatically. “Not at all. We were young and my life was on the verge of a drastic change. Neither of us handled it well. Looking back, I know it was for the best.”
“I remember when you two split, she forbade anyone from saying your name. Honestly, I was really sad to not see you anymore. You were always so nice to me.”
“That makes me feel bad. When relationships end, it’s not just the couple who deal with the fallout.”
“Yeah, but that’s just the way it goes. And even though you’re too nice to ask me, I’ll tell you Valentina is married and has two kids. Claudia is eight and Dominic is four.” I smile.
“I bet you’re a doting aunt.”
“It’s impossible not to be. They’re great kids.”
“Sounds like all is well with the Russo family,” he says. He lies back on the chaise, folding his arms behind his head.
“Yep. Everyone’s great.”
