Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
When I woke hours and hours ago, he was gone, having left a note on the bedside table, saying that I should make myself at home and that he'd be gone most of the day today.
So I did just that, staying in bed, snoozing off and on until noon. When my stomach woke me up with a growl, I found the kitchen and made myself a pizza pocket. Surely it was one of the ones he bought from the grocery store. In the corner of the kitchen in a large bowl, I saw the candy he purchased from me at the register. Although Ellis's body doesn't look like he eats much junk food, he could very easily spend hours at the gym in order to keep as physically fit as he is.
Thinking of his body is what landed me in the sauna room for over an hour, thinking I could sweat out all that damn inappropriateness. But even after coming out drenched in sweat, it didn't rid those types of thoughts from my head.
I lounged by the pool, but it was just too hot outside, and went inside for a shower.
Then I snoozed some more. After seeing myself in the mirror after my nap, I knew I had to get back into the shower.
The entire day was already gone, the sun already setting, by the time I turned off the shower and walked back into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around my body.
Other than the bag sitting on the bed, there was no other evidence that Ellis had come into the room.
Although my name was on a little tag connected to the bag, I was still hesitant to open it.
I stared down at the thing as if it were a coiled snake ready to strike.
This isn't the first bag the man has left for me. Twice now I've been presented with things, and both times his intention was not kindly met. When I give in and open it, I can't help but huff a laugh at the very demure one-piece bathing suit inside.
I thought I was creating something that wasn't there when he walked up to Bandera and me chatting last night. I could've sworn I saw jealousy on his face, but when he just sat down and started talking to us like it was something he'd do every day, I convinced myself I was reading too much into the situation.
After spending the night in bed with him, and there was no attempt to even move closer to me, I tried my best to shut those thoughts off completely.
The man has gone from buying me thong underwear to grabbing lingerie from my house to a solid one-piece suit, and the change is too dramatic not to notice.
He doesn't want the other men here to see me in something he'd consider sexy.
Instead of rummaging through his drawers for something to wear, I grab the suit, return to the bathroom, and try it on. It fits perfectly, unlike the sweats and t-shirt he got for me at the hotel gift shop that first night.
I pull the towel back around me because what man would think to get some form of coverup for the walk to the pool and back?
I stick my head out of the bedroom, looking in both directions, and wait to make sure no one else is around, before heading down the stairs and toward the walkout basement.
The water in the pool looks inviting, the waterfall making the top dance and ripple against the sides.
I dip my toe into the shallow end, anticipating it being warm from the sun. There's nothing worse than wanting to cool off in a pool only to discover the day has left it heated like a bathtub.
"It fits."
I spin around and face the voice, finding Ellis reclined in the hot tub, like he was born to just lounge around all damn day.
The sun has set, but the landscaping lights reflect off his smile, and I find myself a little lost in his gaze before regaining control of my body.
"Thank you for the bathing suit," I tell him as I approach, wishing the shadows cast around us didn't hide part of his face.
I'm not even going to pretend that I'm not happy to find him out here. I was hoping he didn't just drop the bathing suit and run away. I found myself missing him today. Being alone has never been one of my strong suits, hence the reason I always volunteer for the extra shifts at work.
I'm not exactly co-dependent on the company of others, but I've just never found myself comfortable when I'm alone.
"It looks good on you," he says, and I don't miss the gruff edge to his tone.
Cold chills coat my arms despite the warmth of the water as I step into the hot tub.