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"Let's go Netflix and chill," Aiden said to Chloe, reaching for her hand and heading into the house.
"We are hitting up the hot tub," Lincoln said, and Maverick, Sebastian, and Julian followed.
"What are we doing?" I turned to Christian.
"Come on." He smiled, taking my hand and leading me past the house and down to the dock over the lake. The trail down the dock's path was lit with white lights, the only light other than the full moon that danced across the black water.
"Wow, this is so beautiful."
"Yes," he said, grabbing my hand and spinning me. "You are." My cheek burned, and my stomach fluttered with butterflies. I didn't know how he did it, but he made me feel things with the simplest gesture.
Releasing me, he sat down on the edge of the dock, hanging his legs over into the water. "Sit." He patted the wood beside him. Hiking my dress up, I sat down, removing my shoes before putting my feet into the water.
"Sorry about tonight."
"That was not your fault," he said. "You have nothing to apologize for."
"You know it's never going to stop, right?" I treaded my feet through the water. "You declared war with Noah; if I don't go back, there will be a war between the Villa and the Valley."
"Yes," he said, turning his gaze to mine. "You aren't going back if that's what you're getting at. Noah fucked up the minute he put his hands on you, and tonight when he threatened you, he declared war with us regardless of where you are." He ran his hand through his thick dark hair pushing it out of his face. "I want to kill him for hurting you."
"I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."
"Harper," he said, staring off into the water. "Was what he said tonight true?"
Sucking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes. I wondered if he'd ask me what Noah said earlier about popping my cherry. My virginity was the one thing I managed to keep through all of this. Through all my mom's perverted boyfriends' Noah's friends, and even Noah.
"Yes," I sighed. "Does that bother you?"
"No." He shook his head. He jumped up to his feet and started unbuttoning his pants.
"What are you doing," I was thankful for the subject change even though I wasn't sure exactly what he was doing.
"Skinny dipping." He laughed. "You coming?"
Turning away from me, he slid out of his pants and shirt, and then his boxer briefs were lying in the pile of clothes on the dock. My breath hitched at the sight of him. His body was made by special order from the gods. Every inch of his tanned chiseled form was perfection, his torso and arm covered in black artistic ink. He dove into the water with a splash.
Standing up, I peered over into the darkness of the water. Ever since I was a little girl, I had an unrealistic fear of deep water that wasn't clear and lit up like a swimming pool. It terrified me, not knowing what was under me. Christian emerged from the depths of the darkness, and I blew out a breath.
Looking back at the house, I wiped my damp hands on my dress. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and my heart raced.
"Harper," Christian said, running his hand over his face. His words were muffled by my heart pounding in my ears. My words caught in my throat. "Harper, are you okay?"
"Uh," I muttered. "Uh yes, I uh need to go to the bathroom." I bolted for the house.
"Harper," Christian called out, but I didn't stop. I kept going until I found the first bathroom, shut the door, and slid down onto the floor, drawing in long, slow breaths.
I'm not sure how long I sat on the bathroom floor before Christian knocked once and then walked in.
"Harper," he whispered. "Are you okay?" He'd changed out of his tux into shorts and a white T-shirt. He slid down to the floor when he saw me there. "'Harper, what's wrong?"
"It's stupid," I admitted.
"Was it because I was naked?"
"No." I snorted a laugh. "Trust me; it's stupid."
"Then tell me, please".
