Taken (Give and Take) by Maine Kelli

Author:Maine, Kelli [Maine, Kelli]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: alpha male, contemporary erotic romance
Published: 2012-08-07T14:00:00+00:00

Not finding you anywhere in the hotel, I wander outside. My hands are pruney from washing a million dishes, and my finger has a blister on it where it’s burned.

I follow the path to the pool. The tall grass and vines along the trail have been cut back with a weed whacker. I still hear it humming in the distance. I guess it would be easier to carry equipment and supplies through here without being tripped up by Mother Nature.

The crew comes into view, tearing down the roof of the covered cloister where you and I swung in the hammock. I wonder what you did with the rope hammock. I hope you saved it.

A radio blares, hammers pound, saws buzz. Shirtless men in cut-off shorts toss scraps of wood into a pile and take measurements. Joan sits cross-legged in a lawn chair in the shade talking on her cell phone, but you’re nowhere in sight.

“Hey! Miss DeSalvo!” Beck calls from up on a ladder. He nods his head farther down the trail. “I believe you’ll find what you’re looking for by the water.” He shoots me his trademark wink.

“Thanks!” I square my shoulders and walk past Joan, who doesn’t bother looking up at me.

It’s sweltering under the direct sun beating down on my head and shoulders. Bees drift lazily over wildflowers, and I think about my comment to you‌—‌how you’ll try to remember to be more honey-like.

You’re very honey-like around me. I understand your reluctance to let your charming side show in business relationships, but you honestly have no idea how to deal with people in your personal life. Honey would help all around.

Between two trees by the water, you lie in the hammock reading papers and gently swinging. I stop walking and study you‌—‌so calm and relaxed‌—‌looking nothing like a billionaire business god with your hair blowing back and your chest bare. I could’ve never picked you out in a crowd‌—‌didn’t in fact.

You glace up and meet my eyes. “Are you stalking me?”

“I can only aspire to one day be as good of a stalker as you.”

You smirk. “I would say you’re too nice, but after putting Joan in her place, I think you just might have it in you after all.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” She’s your employee, not mine.

You shrug. “She has thick skin. I’m sure she’s over it.”

“Thick skin from working with you?” I walk toward you, running my palm of the tops of tall grass and flowers.

“It’s a requirement. I don’t like to worry about offending people.”

I reach you and weave my fingers through the rope hammock. “What about the honey?”

You roll your eyes, and I shove the hammock with all my strength, sending you swinging. “Okay!” You laugh. “I said I’d try for more honey, less vinegar. That’s what I’ll do.”

When the hammock swings back toward me, you grab me around the waist and pull me on top of you. “Hey!” We’re both laughing and swinging, and I snuggle in beside you, into the crook of your arm with my head on your chest.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.