Chapter 231
**Sara**
Finally, Tom admitted defeat, and we backtracked to find the actual trail. The view from the correct path was worth the detour - rolling hills stretched out below us, dotted with wildflowers and patches of forest.
"See?" Tom said proudly. "I knew where I was going."
"After walking in circles for half an hour."
"Minor details." He reached for my hand, pulling me closer to him on the narrow path. "Besides, got us some extra exercise."
We hiked higher, and the trail got steeper. Tom kept pointing out various plants and wildlife like some wilderness expert. I was pretty sure he was making half of it up.
"And that's a rare mountain squirrel," he said, gesturing to what was clearly just a regular squirrel.
"Oh really? Tell me more about this fascinating creature."
"Well, you can tell by its unique tail movement that it's-" He was cut off by his own yelp as he stumbled over a root, nearly face-planting into the dirt.
I doubled over laughing. "Such grace! Is that also unique to the mountain environment?"
"I meant to do that." He brushed off his knees, trying to maintain dignity. "Testing the ground stability."
"With your face?"
"It's a very scientific method."
We reached a clearing with a small stream running through it—the perfect spot for a break. I pulled out the water bottles while Tom examined what appeared to be a minor scrape on his knee from his earlier "scientific method."
"Want me to kiss it better?" I teased.
"Actually, yes." He patted his knee with an exaggerated pout.
"You're ridiculous." But I still leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his knee.
"My lips also hurt from that fall."
"Nice try." I took a long drink from my water bottle. "But you didn't fall on your face, remember? You were 'testing ground stability.'"
He pulled me into his lap anyway, stealing a kiss. "Can't blame a guy for trying."
The sun was getting higher, and despite the Gucci hat, I could feel sweat beading on my forehead. "Should we head back?"
"Probably. Unless you want to see the rare mountain squirrels' mating ritual?"
"I think I'll pass on your made-up wildlife documentary."
This time, we managed to stay on the correct trail back to the mansion. Though Tom insisted on stopping every few minutes to point out more "rare species" with increasingly ridiculous names.
"And here we have the elusive stripey-tailed tree climber," he said, pointing at another regular squirrel.
"You're the worst tour guide ever."
"I'm wounded. I am sharing my vast knowledge of local fauna-"
"You mean your vast imagination?"
He grinned, pulling me close for another kiss. "Same thing."
His lips met mine, soft and playful, before he pulled back with that insufferable smirk. "Race you back?"
"With your navigation skills? You'll end up in Canada."
"Very funny." He took off down the trail, leaving me scrambling to catch up.
"Cheater!" I called after him, my feet pounding against the dirt path. For someone who spent most of his time in lecture halls, Tom could move surprisingly fast.
I rounded a bend to find him waiting, not even breathing hard. Show-off.
"Getting slow in your old age?" he teased as I caught up.
"You..." I was too out of breath to finish the insult. Instead, I shoved his shoulder, which only made him laugh harder.
The mansion came into view through the trees, and its modern architecture starkly contrasted the natural surroundings. Tom grabbed my hand, swinging our arms between us like we were teenagers on a first date.
"I need a shower," I announced as we entered the air-conditioned space. My tank top was sticking to my back, and I could feel dirt on my face from the trail.
"Want company?" Tom waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"After that stunt you pulled with the race? I don't think so."
He followed me up the stairs anyway. "I'll wash your back."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Fine. But no funny business - I'm actually sweaty and gross from that hike."
"You're never gross." He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind as I walked toward the bathroom. "And I like you sweaty."
"That's because you're weird." I wiggled free to turn on the shower, testing the temperature. Steam began filling the massive bathroom, fogging up the floor-to-ceiling mirrors.
Tom was already stripping off his hiking clothes, managing to make even that look graceful. Show-off.
"Coming?" He stepped into the shower, water running down his chest in rivulets that dried my mouth.
I peeled off my sweaty clothes, grimacing at how they stuck to my skin. "If you make one more comment about rare mountain creatures, I'm kicking you out."
"What about the elusive shower nymph?" His eyes tracked my movements as I joined him under the spray. "Known for her stunning beauty and complete inability to appreciate wildlife education."
"That's it." I made a show of turning to leave, but he caught me around the waist, pulling me back against his chest. Water cascaded over us both as he pressed a kiss to my neck.
"Stay. I'll behave."
"Since when?"
His hands slid up my sides, gathering shower gel as they went. "I said I'd wash your back, didn't I?"
True to his word, he began washing my back with slow, circular motions that felt heavenly on my hiking-sore muscles. I leaned into his touch with a contented sigh.
"See? I can be good."
"Mmhmm." I wasn't entirely convinced, but his hands felt too nice for me to argue.
He worked his way down my spine, kneading tension from my shoulders. "You're carrying a lot of stress here. Must be from all that wildlife spotting."
"You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Nope." He moved to wash my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp in a way that made me practically purr. "The stripey-tailed tree climber is very serious business."
I tilted my head back, letting him rinse the shampoo away. "You're lucky you're good with your hands."
"That's not all I'm good at." His voice dropped lower, suggestive.
"I thought you said you'd behave?"
"I am behaving. Very well, in fact." His hands slid down my sides again, this time with distinctly less innocent intentions. "Want me to stop?"
I turned in his arms, water streaming between us. "Didn't say that."
His grin was positively wicked. "Good, because I wasn't planning to."
His lips crashed into mine, hot water streaming down our faces. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing closer as his tongue traced my bottom lip. His hands gripped my hips, fingers digging into my skin.
"You know," I pulled back just enough to speak, "for someone who promised to behave, you're doing a terrible job."
"I'm behaving exactly as intended." He nipped at my earlobe, making me gasp. "Besides, you started it."
"How did I start it?"
"You existed." His mouth moved down my neck, leaving a trail of kisses that had nothing to do with getting clean. "In my shower. Naked. Very distracting."
I laughed, the sound turning into a moan as his teeth grazed my collarbone. "Your logic is questionable."
"Want me to explain it in detail?" His hands slid lower, cupping my ass. "I could draw you a diagram."
"Oh my god, stop talking." I pulled his face back to mine, cutting off whatever ridiculous thing he was about to say next.
He smiled against my lips. "Make me."
Challenge accepted. I deepened the kiss, sliding my tongue against his as my hands explored his chest. The water made everything slick and warm, steam rising around us like a cocoon.
His fingers tangled in my wet hair, tilting my head back to give him better access to my neck. "Still want me to behave?"
"Definitely not." I arched into him as his free hand found my breast, thumb circling my nipple. "But if you make one more wildlife reference, I'm leaving."
He laughed, the sound echoing off the shower walls. "What, you don't want to hear about the mating habits of the-"
I silenced him with another kiss, swallowing whatever ridiculous animal name he was about to invent. His hands tightened on my waist, lifting me slightly as he pressed me against the cool tile wall.
"Much better use of your mouth," I murmured between kisses.
"I can think of even better uses." His grin was pure sin as he started to kneel.
I tangled my fingers in his wet hair. "Thought you were supposed to be washing my back?"
"Multi-tasking." He pressed a kiss to my hip. "I'm very efficient."
The combination of hot water and his mouth made it hard to think straight. "Is this what they teach in business school?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" His teeth grazed my inner thigh. "Now stop talking, and let me concentrate."
I bit back a laugh that quickly became a gasp as his mouth found its target. Maybe his wildlife education skills were questionable, but this... this he definitely knew what he was doing.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
