The Lake House.

(KAIRA'S POV)

Slade was torturing me with silence. Simply leading the way.

I followed him closely like a pupil behind a headmaster, past the house doors, the hedged pathways, the garden gates and was soon welcomed in the most gorgeous variety of flowers. I had no time to stop as we kept walking past chrysanthemums, tulips, different roses, orchids, daisies… and then carefully past the stepping stones sitting on water to the serene lake house.

I tried to stay calm as I climbed the stones. I am not a fan of water bodies that are bigger than a filled bathtub.

And even though I was conscious, I found myself captivated by the scenery, the water, the glass lake house reflecting the brilliant sunset. I had totally zoned out when Slade's voice pierced the silence and reminded me of his presence.

“What are you doing here?!” His voice was too calm for the deathly glare he was sending my way.

“M-my, y- your dad.. our parents are getting engaged.” I said avoiding his gaze and hating that I sounded so weak.

"Did you do this? Obsess yourself into making me your stepbrother?" He demanded lowly, sternly.

My mouth fell open and I only glanced at him for a second before turning my attention away. I knew where the stalker allegations were coming from and I didn’t want to reply

"Or is this a gold-digging plan by your mum?" He accused.

My calm snapped instantly and our gazes collided.

"My mum is not a gold digger and you know it." My chin was raised.

A flash passed his eyes and his face hardened.

"So you knew."

He sounded soft yet dangerous as he walked towards me, pinning me to place with his focus. "You knew your mother was my nanny."

My throat burned. His leer was heavy but I didn't look away. I couldn’t.

"Was that how you tracked me down years ago?" He continued, now closer. "Stalked your way and destroyed the most important thing in my life."

The angry look on his face took me back to that day, four years ago.

The day Slade Horton met me and the day his hatred for me began.

Guilt wrapped me and I felt my body tremble before him. He was now less than a foot from me, so close that if his head bent a few inches more, his dark strands would touch my forehead.

"I said I was sorry. You don’t have to forgive me but stop acting like I did it on purpose.” I defended in a shaky whisper, keeping eye contact.

My neck was craned, like his hand was around it. And though no parts of us touched, I was frozen to the spot.

Slade scoffed, his face barely moving. His eyes had stopped flashing and now he looked bored. Irritated. The normal Slade Horton look. But he still didn't move away.

“I-I’m really sorry.” I found myself saying.

"Of course you're sorry. What else can you give? Your whole life can't afford what you fucked up."

The gut-wrenching words broke my heart and I hate that it did. I staggered back but he came closer again, a renewed hostility in his eyes.

"You've made a terrible mistake." He growled. “I’ll make sure I punish you for what you did four years ago and then I’ll punish you for thinking you and your mum are good enough for the Horton name.”

I gasped softly to hold back tears but I could tell I was about to lose, and so I turned around and quickly headed back in the same direction Slade had led me.

I tried to hold in my tears as I walked quickly. I could feel Slade's eyes boring into the back of my head and I hated that even though I knew he would never follow me, I wished that he would.

But those were foolish dreams.

The dam collapsed and tears blurred my vision as I hurried away. As I wiped my eyes angrily, my foot landed on slick moss instead of a stepping stone. I swayed sideways and landed into the lake in a huge splash and with a loud scream.

Jolts of panic infiltrated my veins.

One moment I was gasping for air and the next, i was choking mouthfuls of water. Just when I thought I would black out, I felt strong protective arms and my head was over water. My hands hung tightly around his neck as I was scooped in to his arms. I could feel him moving, in water and then out but my mind was in chaos.

“Open your eyes! Look at me!” Slade’s voice weakly fought the darkness in my mind.

"Is this you trying to manipulate me?" He demanded.

I didn't answer him. My face remained pressed to his chest; I clung to him like I was seconds away from death.

“Stop shaking! Open your eyes!” He sounded frustrated. More at himself than at me.

But I couldn’t stop myself. My heart slammed against my chest impatiently and my body rocked violently. I could still feel the water splashing around me as I struggled to breathe.

“Open your eyes !” He ordered through gritted teeth, this time even more aggravated.

Then, I felt his touch. His hand, surprisingly warm and gentle, rubbing my back in consistent circles.

"Calm down, okay? Breathe." His tone had changed completely, unbelievably serene.

I fought to create stillness in my mind but my eyes remained shut and my breath still came out in short rasps.

"Breathe. It's alright now. You're okay now." His cool but immersive voice came again and again and ceased when I stopped breathing noisily. The back rubs continued though, for some time before he asked,

"Are you alright?"

My eyes opened slowly. I wanted to reply him, to tell him I was okay. But I realized how close we were and my tongue became dead.

His voice replayed in my head, telling me to calm down, telling me to breathe, asking me if i was alright and in the center all that was his stunning pair of emerald eyes.

Never had I felt so breathless. Never had my body felt so alive. Every sense and nerve tingling, calling out for contact even though I was still in his arms.

My heart stomped with raw excitement and I could hear myself breathing, as we drank each other in.

Slade stared at me. Like he was looking at me for the first time.

“You have a perfect face.” He totally shocked me by saying that and I wanted to say thank you but I still couldn’t move my lips.

His eyes were locked on mine for what felt like eternity before they moved lower, to my lips. My throat dried when he licked his lips while staring at mine. Then he cursed under his breath, like he was fighting something, before he leaned over and kissed me.

His lips brushed mine once, like he was tasting, savoring—and that sent all the energy points in my body screaming. His lips brushed mine again, twice this time, and then I sighed in content as I kissed him back.

My stomach erupted with butterflies before he pulled away.

In a short span—less than five seconds— the fireworks disappeared like it had never been there. Slade had withdrawn his lips from mine like he remembered who I was.

Our eyes met.

The clear regret in his eyes felt like a kick to my stomach.

I felt a rush of shame instantly.

I hated that he looked at me like a mistake.

I hated that his touch felt safe.

Most of all, I hated that I yearned for him to keep holding me.

Just as I wanted to disappear into thin air, the sound of footsteps broke the silence. Heavy and purposeful coming from the garden path.