And I can’t wait to hear what he has to say to me when we’re alone, without an audience watching our every interaction.
Hurrying up the stairs, I strip out of my clothes when I reach my bedroom, and I opt for a loose pair of sweatpants and a crop top. I search through my bras for something more comfortable when a thought pops up in my head. Maybe... we do no bra at all.
*Cue evil grin*
Oh yes, no bra is the perfect way to go with this long-sleeved crop top that’s just loose enough that if I raise my hands, my underboob is exposed.
Yes, this is exactly what I need.
Keller willruethe day he tried to push me away after sharing a lovely evening. He has no idea who he’s dealing with.
Once dressed, I brush my damp hair out and tie it into a bun on the top of my head, and then take a look at myself in the mirror. Perfect. Ready to go, I jog down the stairs to where Keller is standing, hands in his black jean pockets, watching my every move.
I pat him on the chest as I walk by and say, “All dry now, but I’m sure you’ll have no qualms getting me wet again, right?” I wink at him, and he catches what I mean.
“Lilly,” he says in a warning tone.
“Just slipping my shoes on.” When I finish tying them, I reach for the door, but Keller beats me to it. Acting like the perfect gentleman, he opens the door widely for me, and as I walk past him, I feel his hand on my lower back as he follows closely behind, shutting the door after him. I try—desperately—not to react to his warm hand on my skin.
When outside, instead of going to the left like we always do, I go to the right.
“That’s not where we normally walk,” he says.
“I know. I want some new scenery. Plus, didn’t you say there were hot springs up this way?”
“We’re not going in the hot springs.”
“Okay, Keller.” Smiling up at him, I walk ahead and hold my arms out as I spin around. “Isn’t it beautiful out?” I ask. When I fix my eyes back on him, he’s not looking at my face, but rather my torso. I inwardly smile. “The perfect time for a walk.” Walking backwards, I keep my eyes on his as I stretch my arms above my head and say, “Feels good to just stretch out, you know?”
He pauses mid-stride, no longer following me.
“Everything okay?” I blink innocently at him.
“Lilly, what the fuck are you doing?”
“Stretching, what does it look like?”
“It looks like after that display at the table, you’re continuing your goal to provoke me.”
“Is it working?” I smile at him.
“You know damn well it is.”
Ooo, I did not expect him to be so honest about it.
Nor did I expect him to be so angry, but in a hot way, like he’s about to devour me kind of way.
And as he closes the space between us, his strides eating up the distance, I realize that maybe I’ve provoked him a little too much.
I think we can all safely agree that my plan to get him to think about something other than his dream has worked, but it also might have backfired, from the looks of it.
When he reaches me, his hands fall to my hips as he holds me tight. His large body shadows me, enveloping me in his strength.
“That display back there was pathetic,” he says.
Pathetic? Here I thought he was just about to ravish me, not insult me.
“Excuse me? I think I did a pretty good job.”
