Swim Deep - Page 21

I agreed with him completely. I didn’t want to do anything that would worsen what appeared to be a bitter relationship between the two men.

“Are you going far when you take your hikes?” he asked in a neutral tone.

“No. Just along the trail above the beach and on the nearby forest paths.” He didn’t reply. He seemed distracted.

“Evan? There’s not a problem with me hiking around here, is there?”

“No, it’s just that I’d prefer you weren’t alone. Some of the trails are steep. Isolated. What if something happened to you while you were out?”

“I’d call you. I always have my cell phone,” I reminded him wryly. “I used to hike alone at Land’s End and the Presidio all the time. I’ll be fine, Evan.”

“This isn’t the Presidio. If you haven’t noticed, we’re in the wilderness here. We’re very isolated. I’ll get you a bell you can tie to your shoestring to help warn animals of your presence, and some bear spray at the very least,” he said after a pause. His gray eyes met mine. “And I’d like you to tell me which direction you’re hiking before you go out. Okay?”

I laughed. “Why are you so worried? I’m just walking.”

His hand snaked out, grasping my wrist. I started.

“Just promise me,” he said. I stared at him, my mouth hanging open in surprise. “It can be dangerous here, Anna. It’s important that you understand that.”

“At Les Jumeaux?” I asked disbelievingly.

He seemed to come to himself, releasing my wrist. He picked up his knife and cut his steak.

“Not just at Les Jumeaux. In the forest. In the water. This isn’t a place to let down your guard, that’s all I meant.” He reached and took m

y hand, this time gently. “Just promise me that you’ll be careful. Please? You’re very precious to me. I’d feel very… ”

“Evan?” I asked when he trailed off.

“Bad if something happened to you,” he continued as if he hadn’t heard me. “Because I’d brought you to this place.”

My dropped fork rattled loudly on the china. I sandwiched his hand between mine and squeezed.

“Nothing bad is going to happen to me,” I insisted. I smiled brightly, trying to coax away his dark mood. When his expression remained unchanged, I stood and went to him. I removed his steak knife from his hand, setting it on his plate. I calmly straddled his lap and opened my hands on his shoulders. He remained very still and watchful, but I felt the familiar tension leap into his flesh. I pressed my lips fleetingly to his.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his mouth twitching in amusement.

“Making love to you. It’s a beautiful night.”

“You’re trying to sidetrack me.”

“Is that a crime? For a wife to sidetrack her husband?” I looped my forearms around his neck and pulled him closer, skimming my nipples across his chest and plucking at his lips coaxingly.

He opened his mouth slightly and I slipped my tongue in the crevice. He groaned, shifting his hands to my hips and then my buttocks. He squeezed gently, but insistently, until I backed away slightly and met his stare.

“Promise me, Anna. Promise me you’ll be careful. That you’ll let me know when you go out, and in what direction you’re going at the very least.”

“The last thing I want to do is worry you, Evan. Of course I promise.”

A muscle jumped in his cheek. He looked appeased, if not relieved. Tension continued to harshly etch his handsome face.

He moved one hand, his deft fingertips releasing the buttons on my shirt with unerring accuracy. I held my breath, watching as he undressed me, his actions increasingly hasty. Forceful. Finally, he jerked open the fabric of my shirt wide, his stare in the dim light scorching me. Both of his hands again on my hips, he slid me along his thighs toward him. He planted his head between my breasts, his warm breath misting my skin. I held him to me, my fingers furrowing through his thick hair.

I would promise him anything.

The experience of the velvet viewing room had dimmed my desire to explore in the house, at least for the time being. We lived in only a small portion of the vast house and grounds, anyway: the big, warm kitchen and sunny terrace, the sitting area in front of the fireplace in the casual dining area, our bedroom, my overlook, and Evan’s study.

One night shortly after we’d moved to Les Jumeaux, Evan built us a fire in the outdoor fireplace after dinner. Early summer nights at Tahoe could get chilly, despite the broiling heat of the daytime sun. That evening was particularly cool, but I was toasty warm and content in front of the fire, with Evan by my side.

Tags: Beth Kery Romance
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