She stripped off her clothes and pulled on the robe, then grabbed the towel and went outside. She glanced around, assuring herself no one could see her, then she dropped the robe and stepped into the shower. The warm water flowed over her body. She soaped herself and scrubbed her skin. As she rubbed her soapy hands over her breasts, she couldn’t help imagining Liam in the shower with her, his big hands gliding over her body. The familiar ache started inside.
She leaned the top of her head against the glass wall, the water flowing over her back. She had to get a grip on herself.
She rinsed off the soap and slipped from the shower, then dried off with the big towel. Ten minutes later, she was unpacked and dressed in clean clothes, feeling refreshed. She was running a brush through her damp hair when Liam came back into the room.
“Feeling better?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
“So what do you think of the villa?”
She glanced around the bedroom, then out the window to the ocean beyond.
The bedroom was very open and airy, with the abundance of glass making the inside feel like it melded with the outside. It was a huge room, with a full sitting area with couches, armchairs, and a large television. The neutral contemporary décor didn’t detract from the stunning outside view, and it gave a cozy, yet upscale feel to the room. She remembered the downstairs had the same feel.
“It’s very nice. It’ll take some getting used to having an outdoor shower, as well as the bathtub being practically outside.”
“I thought that was one of the best features of the place.”
His devilish smile sent sparks flirting along her nerve endings.
“I’m sure you did,” she said. “Why don’t we go downstairs so we can see the rest of the place?”
They walked out of the bedroom into the upper hallway.
“There are two more suites on this floor,” Liam said, as they passed by two closed doors, “but Del is in the second largest suite in the villa.”
They walked down the large, spiral staircase. Del was sitting in the living room gazing out at the view.
“Liam is showing me around the house,” Abi said to Del. “Join us.”
“Sure.” Del got up and followed them.
Abi was amazed at the size and luxury of the place. There was a room with a pool table. Several sitting rooms. Televisions in every room. An office with a high-end desktop computer and huge monitor. Even a small gym.
They stepped out the door to a stone deck with an infinity pool that seemed to blend into the ocean. In the shallow end, there was an area that was only about ten inches deep, where the pool angled back so sunbathers could comfortably lounge right in the water.
There were lots of cushioned lounge chairs around the pool. There were also outdoor couches and chairs in various locations around the huge patio to provide different conversation areas. Liam led them to the railing at the end of the patio where she saw that there were a few steps down to a wooden deck that led right to the white sand of the beach.
“How do you like your room, Del?” Abi asked.
He turned back to the house and pointed. “Look for yourself. You can see the whole thing from here.”
As they walked back to the house, she saw that Del’s room, like the whole main floor and the master suite, had an entire wall of glass facing the ocean. As they got closer, she could see the inside of his room.
There would be no privacy for Del if anyone was out here on the patio. At least with the master suite, no one would be walking on the second-story balcony to peer into their room. Hopefully, Del’s room had drapes.
“It’s time for dinner,” Liam announced.
She and Del followed him across the patio to stairs leading to a higher level. They passed several large pots filled with greenery and one with a plant with large red blossoms. Then she saw a round teak table set with china place settings and crystal glasses. A couple of staff were setting out food.
When they reached the table, Liam pulled out her chair and she sat down. Del sat on one side of her and Liam on the other.
There was a lovely salad with a vinaigrette dressing and some kind of fish with a fancy sauce. Abi wasn’t quite sure what, but it smelled delicious. The staff poured white wine into the stemmed glasses in front of Liam and Del. As a woman poured what looked like white wine into her glass, she started to protest.
“Don’t worry, Abi,” Liam said. “It’s sparkling white grape juice.”
The staff finished serving and disappeared into the house.
“Del,” Liam said, “this is a difficult situation for all of us, and I know it’s put you in a particularly awkward position, but I want you to know that I value your friendship and hope that no matter how this unfolds, that we’ll still remain friends. In the end, we both want what’s best for Abi, and for the baby.”
“I agree with the sentiment,” Del said, “but will you feel the same way when Abi still wants the divorce at the end of the three weeks?”
Liam’s eyebrows arched. “You seem pretty confident.”
“Despite the fact that you seem to be holding all the cards.”
Abi didn’t like where this was going. “Could we put this conversation on hold so we can enjoy our dinner and the lovely sunset?”
She stabbed a piece of lettuce and popped it into her mouth as she gazed at the
