Mom and Dad won’t be home until later this afternoon. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the last dregs of summer before the frigid weather of autumn gets ushered in. It only solidifies what a good idea it was to play hooky. A tiny squeal of excitement escapes as I swing away from the window and dig through the second drawer of my dresser to find a bathing suit. I pull out the first one my fingers come in contact with.
Drumroll, please. And the lucky winner is…
A little black string bikini!
It’s not one I wear often because it’s a little too revealing to wear around family. Dad would probably have an apoplectic fit if he saw me in it. Today, with the fam gone, it’s getting worn.
I strip off the tank and panties before stepping into the bikini bottoms and fastening the top. I secure the tiny triangles over my breasts before grabbing a towel from the bathroom and heading downstairs. As if on cue, my belly growls as the aroma of soup permeates the air.
No matter what the weather, there’s something infinitely comforting about homemade chicken noodle soup. I chow down an overflowing bowl until my belly is content before dropping the dirty dishes in the sink and exiting through the sliding door to the red stamped patio.
Almost immediately the blistering sun beats down on me, stroking over my flesh. I run inside and grab a can of sunscreen before liberally spraying my front and back. Then I stretch out on a plush lounger and allow it to dry.
I exhale a breath as my skin heats. If I were at school, I would be in third hour, dreading lunch with Kingsley. Yesterday was a nightmare. From the shirt he made me wear without a bra, to the way he treated me like a servant, and then forcing me to sit on his lap and feed him.
Today, the big jerk will have to get his own food.
When a light sweat coats my body, I decide it’s the perfect time to take a dip. The pool isn’t the standard rectangle. It’s custom, more of a kidney shape with an outcropping of rocks where water slides over them creating a mini waterfall. The sound is ridiculously soothing. Near the rock formation is a round stone hot tub.
With my toes at the edge of the blue tile, I dive headfirst into the deep end. Cool, refreshing water envelopes my body as I arrow through the salty liquid before surfacing at the other end.
It’s official. I’ve died and gone to heaven.
I swim a few laps from one end to the other before lazily turning onto my back. With my eyes closed, I enjoy the sun as it strokes over my bare skin. It’s only after my fingers turn pruney that I drag myself from the pool and collapse on the lounger with a satisfied sigh. I turn over onto my belly and reach around, untying the knot at my neck and in the middle of my back until the strings slide to the sides.
My eyelids feather closed as the gentle gurgling of the water feature fills my ears. Birds chirp as I drowsily drift under the scorching sun. I don’t know how long I doze off for. All I know is that I’m jarred out of my contented state when a sharp slap lands across my ass cheek. I blink away the grogginess and rear up before swinging around. My heartbeat stutters when my gaze collides with a narrowed one.
“Ow!” I cry when he cracks the other side with as much force. “Stop that!”
“Why aren’t you at school?”
“I’m sick.” When he continues to glare, lips sinking into a frown, I force out a weak-sounding cough.
His gaze meanders over my nearly naked body. “Not that I’m complaining, but this is the second time I’ve found you with your titties on display. It’s almost like you’re trying to tempt me into playing with them.”
I glance down at the unobstructed view he has of my breasts before dropping my body to the cushion.
“Please, I’m not trying to tempt you into anything,” I grumble, wishing he would go away. “I’m enjoying the sunshine. I was in dire need of some vitamin D.”
He steps closer, dropping into a squat until he’s nearly eye level with my ass. The tiny brief does nothing to cover my cheeks. It’s more of a glorified thong, which is exactly why I don’t wear it. Clearly, that decision has come back to bite me in the ass.
The moment Kingsley’s fingers settle on my warmed flesh, I hiss out a breath. His gaze jerks to mine as his hand strokes over the rounded curve before giving it a squeeze. The tips of his fingers bite into my muscle and I close my eyes as a groan slips free.