Everything That Lingers by Raina Ash

Author:Raina Ash
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Raina Ash
Published: 2023-11-18T05:17:23+00:00

chapter eighteen

GRACE

I GET RESTLESS WHILE BRENT is taking care of personal stuff, and I'm a little worried that being so open scared him off. To distract myself, I decide to go for a swim. The sky is still blue, and the temperature is warmer—the storm is officially over—so I don't wear my cover-up when I stroll outside.

Brent is in the guesthouse, and I can see him through the windows. He's pacing and talking forcefully into his phone. His arms are animated, and he keeps shoving a hand through his hair, trying to calm himself.

See? It's not me. He has work or other things going on. Although…I hope everything is okay.

With the knot in my stomach loosening, I dive into the warm pool. I let out a moan of pleasure, as if experiencing a pool orgasm. How does anyone survive without heating their pool? This feels divine.

I swim a few laps and then just float on my back, gazing up at the clear, bright sky. The sun is blinding, but I'm savoring it after all those cloudy days. Closing my eyes, I take it all in—the crisp pine scent, the glorious sunlight, the sensation of lightness in my body. The world around me is muffled by the water covering my ears, and it's peaceful. For the first time in a long while, I can simply relax and savor the moment.

Except, I don't.

Despite my efforts to ignore my worries, I'm growing more and more concerned that telling Brent about my past was a mistake.

It was too soon, wasn't it? I'm stupid. I'm not ready to trust again. Why did I tell him?

As I float, I hear a muffled splash, and then water waves around me, making me rock back and forth. I crack an eye open as Brent surfaces, shaking water from his hair and wiping his face. He flashes a weak smile.

I dip my butt to straighten myself.

"Great day for a swim," he says. "Are we racing again?"

He seems like he's back to his normal self. Possibly. Something feels a little off, like his smile isn't as wide as it normally is. His voice might sound a little more beaten down too.

No, I’m just overthinking.

"Sure," I tell him, trying to get out of my own head.

We position ourselves at one end of the pool, then Brent counts down and we push off. I pump my legs and arms as fast as I can, but he still beats me by a few seconds. We both emerge in the romantic lighting of the waterfall cave, and I groan at him.

"I've decided next time you can let me win," I say with a playful huff.

Laughing, he responds, "What? Why? Don't you want to win fairly?"

"I would just like to win once, even if it's a lie."

He floats closer. "Then next time, I'll let you win."

"Good." He's close enough for me to touch him, so I lightly place my palm on his chest hair.

He cups my hand, and I can feel his pulse beneath my fingertips.

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.