The Pool House.

(KAIRA'S POV)

"Don't ever let anyone take what's mine?"

His. The word echoed in my head, hitting me like a wave. Did he just mean the words he spoke? Since when was I his? Since when did he want me to be his?

But I didn't ask. I couldn't even breathe properly at this point. I knew that if I dared opened my mouth to speak, I would find myself saying the wrong things.

Slade's arm tightened around my waist. My hands flattened against his shoulders, feeling the heat radiating through his jacket as our bodies moved closer. I could perceive his cologne, the musk mixed with mint scent. So cool, so nice.

I leaned in to him and he exhaled softly giving me a m good whiff of wine from his breath. I dared to look at him, to look into those eyes. Dark, thick..

His hand moved, lower and I gasped. Louder this time.

"What are you doing?" I hissed at him, my cheeks were flaming.

Slade leaned closer and my heart started thumping in response.

"I'm making sure we don't humiliate our parents." He said coolly. "Don't you think all eyes will be on us now? The children of this… union."

I couldn't stop my eyes from wandering around and sure enough, pairs and pairs of eyes were on me. My grip on his shoulder tightened and I stared at his expensive-looking dark polished leather shoes.

I had just danced here, with Van. I didn't remember feeling so aware.

"Relax." Slade breathed, his thumb moved in circular motions on my back. Somehow, the rhythm began to flow with my breathing and my grip loosened.

"Just follow my lead." He whispered.

I nodded, still staring down at his shoes. Then the music started and he started to move over the dance floor.

I followed, catching my breath.

"Look at me, Makaira." He commanded. My head snapped up and our eyes met as goosebumps filled my skin.

"It's okay." He murmured, intertwining his fingers with mine.

I felt my head moving, in nods. And my legs following, trying to catch up with the steady pace he was setting.

His eyes stayed on mine unblinking, that I was focused on my reflection in them.

"It's okay." He said again, calmer, softer so that the slow music faded into the background.

His thumb never stopped tracing circles around my back, so much that I enjoyed the torture, suppressing the delicious chills that each rub sent through my body.

He gently twirled me around and I cooperated perfectly. The crowd responded with a unified sharp, admiring gasp.

But I didn't care that they were looking, I had found comfort in those warm palms of his. Unable to keep holding his eyes, I took my attention to other parts of his body. Like the jaw muscle ticking or the loose strands of his hair that had fallen forward, I wanted to gently push them away.

My eyes moved down and there were his pink lips. Perfectly drawn, perfect lines of hair above his upper lip… my heart began to race as I replayed the way he kissed me at the lake house.

I wanted to—

He moved back from me and my ears rang as I snapped back into reality with a lot of claps. People were clapping and smiling at us.

The music had ended and the dance floor was clearing for a break.

"Come on." Slade's voice was sharp as he took my hand and led me away. I cast one glance at Mum but she was speaking to Tom and laughing about something.

I smiled sadly as Slade led me through a corner. I shook my hand away from his, the moment we were out of sight.

"Where are we going?" I asked, smoothing my dress and trying my best to avoid his eyes.

"My pool house. Erica said we can't take the car. So you have to know it's a long walk from here." He warned.

I responded with a soft sigh and said nothing. I let him lead me, maybe a step ahead as we walked in silence.

I didn't want to trip. Because my mind was a junk. I could still feel his hand against my body, feel his warm minty breath on my neck, see those lips…

So I was having a hard time, being calm. I kept stealing glances at him, slow and careful. Sometimes, we locked gazes. But we said nothing.

"Here we are." He finally announced minutes after. I felt a little flustered and even though the sound of loud music was a red flag to me, I was more relieved to be here.

Slade led us through a picket fence and after a flowered gate, a pool came into view with a house looking above it.

"Wow." I breathed at the picture-perfect house. I am scared of water, but this pool… it looked perfect, too pretty to even be swam in. It sat pretty and still in turquoise, cute floaters floating around.

We went up the stairs and then past the open sliding doors.

We were welcomed by kids lounging around in a large studio apartment.

"If it isn't the newest step-siblings in town." Someone announced and a couple of cheers soon filled the room.

My eyes scanned the room quickly as I walked further in with Slade.

Two boys in the living room area, jackets missing, ties off, playing a game; three girls were seated around the little dining table.

"Oh it's the pretty bridesmaid." One of the girls said loudly. She stood up and started to walk towards us.

Perfect platinum blonde hair, a body-perfect halter neck gown and adorned with expensive jewelry, I knew who she was.

Shelly McKenzie.

Everyone knew Shelly McKenzie. PineCrest's very own beauty queen bee and an aspiring Miss United States of America. The most famous girl from one of the wealthiest families in the town.

She is practically PineCrest royalty.

"Wow! Doesn't she make it easy to see why Mr. Horton married her mum. I too would commit a scandal for a face like that."

She eyed me with a smirk on her lips.

"Shelly!!" A few of the others cautioned.

"It's true." She shrugged. "Marrying one of your workers in a shock is scandalous."

Her shoulders remained high. Then her eyes widened as she got to me.

"Oh my gosh! Are your eyes real? Or do you have contacts on?" She asked me, peering closely.

"They're real."

"So pretty." She said, giving me a wink. Then she moved towards my left

"Hey baby."

Then she rose on her toes, wrapped both arms around Slade’s neck…

…and kissed him.

My stomach dropped.

I couldn’t breathe.