Chapter Twelve
Naya took another sip from her glass and loved the way it slid down her throat and settled in her stomach. The alcohol spread through her, making her feel mellow and happy.
“Here, Naya. Here’s the joint,” Tara said.
Naya balanced the glass in one hand and took several draws from the joint before handing it off. “Are we going to watch a movie tonight?”
Amelia shook her head. “No, we’re going swimming.”
Naya’s eyes widened as her mind went blank. It took her a moment to figure out what bothered her. “Wait. I don’t have a swimsuit.”
The other girls burst out laughing.
“None of us do,” Lina said and giggled.
“So, what do you swim in?” Naya asked.
“Our underwear,” Harley said. “They cover as much as a bathing suit would.”
“But the guys will see us.” Naya thought about that and chuckled. “I’m not wearing a matching bra and panties.”
“I’m not either,” Chelsea said.
The rest of them nodded and exclaimed they didn’t either. It made Naya feel better.
The women sat around drinking for another hour before standing.
Several, including Naya, had trouble at first, but everyone helped each other, and together they made it to the backyard.
Naya stayed behind as many girls as possible as she undressed.
A few of them kept falling, which made the whole group laugh.
Amelia grabbed onto her arm as she walked toward the steps to get into the pool. “Wait. Do you know how to swim?”
“Kind of. I learned at the YWCA when I was five,” Naya said.
Amelia’s eyes widened. “Maybe you should stay in the shallow part for now.”
Naya looked at the pool as several of the women dove in and splashed each other.
“Yeah, I think I’ll do that.”
“If you get scared, just grab the nearest girl.”
Naya nodded and cautiously walked down the steps. The warm water washed over her legs, hips, and then her stomach. The feeling was almost sensual, and it made her nipples harden.
The group started throwing the large blow-up ball around, having the time of their lives. At one point, Naya grew dizzy and walked to the side of the pool, resting her arms on the concrete and laying her head in her hands.
She listened to the women’s voices, and things began to settle down. She heard men’s voices and women giggle before she felt a hard, hot body press against her back. She stiffened but never opened her eyes.
****
“Easy, babe. It’s me.”
Naya relaxed and smiled. “Dutch.”
“Yeah, babe.”
“I hope you’re doing well and staying safe,” she murmured, half asleep and definitely still drunk.
One of his hands pressed on her stomach. “I’ve been looking for you,” he said against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
Naya giggled. “Stop, you’re being silly. Dreams aren’t supposed to be funny.”
Dutch sighed. “You’re not dreaming, babe. You ran from me. Did you really think you’d get away with it?”
Naya exhaled and giggled. “Mmmm...”
Dutch rolled his eyes. She was out. Fuck. He wouldn’t be getting any answers tonight. He lifted her in his arms and felt something in him soften when her arms came around his neck. Then she pressed her face into his shoulder and sighed his name.
He climbed out of the pool. He was glad he had changed into shorts before going out to the backyard. He walked into the house, ignoring the fact that he dripped water everywhere. He didn’t want to take the time to dry them off.
Dutch got to her room, now theirs. He shut the door behind him with his heel and set Naya on the towels he’d spread on the bed.
He’d been prepared when he was told she was both high and drunk.
That shit would be put to a stop. Although she was definitely cute, he didn’t like the thought of it because it could harm her health.
He stripped her underwear off and straightened.
“Fuck.” She was so incredibly beautiful.
Even more beautiful than the last time he saw her, because she had gained some weight and filled out.
Her breasts were a little bigger, and her upper thighs.
Her stomach even curved out instead of looking concave like before.
Dutch never thought about what type of woman he was attracted to. Before Naya, women were just holes for him to fuck. He never remembered a face or if he even looked at their features. He hadn’t cared.
He grabbed another towel and dried her off, squeezing as much water out of her hair as he could. She might not like the fact that she hadn’t showered the chlorine off before going to sleep, but that shit happened when you got drunk. It might teach her a lesson.
After showering and pulling on a pair of boxers, he arranged Naya with her back against his chest, wrapped an arm around her waist, and slept.
Dutch woke the next morning and found Naya gone.
“This is getting ridiculous,” he growled and rolled out of bed.
He dressed quickly before heading toward the main level. He saw Fury and a few other guys standing around. They all turned to him.
Fury grinned. “Did you lose her again?”
Dutch scowled. “Fuck off.” He rolled his eyes when they laughed. He went to stand beside them. “Do you know where she is?”
Fury crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, now. Let me think.”
Dutch hung his head and waited for the bastard to have some fun. He wanted to punch the guy, but knew it would be a bad move since he was in his club surrounded by his men.
“I think I saw her outside in the backyard a little bit ago,” Fury said and grinned.
Dutch turned and headed toward the kitchen. A wall of pissy women stopped him from going out the back door. What the hell. “Ladies, I need past.”
“What are you going to do to Naya?” Amelia asked.
Dutch sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “First, I’m going to punish her for running from me again.”
That was the wrong thing to say, and every woman straightened and practically vibrated with anger.
He held up a hand. “Listen. I give you my word, I would never harm a hair on that woman’s head, but she’s got to learn she can’t get away with that shit.”
He waited a moment. “Now, can I get through?”
Tara shook her head. “We don’t want you to take her away.”
Dutch looked over his shoulder to see Fury and a few of his men standing behind him. He had no idea if it was to support him or be entertained by him. He turned back.
“Ladies, I have to go back to Louisiana. That’s where my club is.”
“But...” several women burst out.
He held up a hand. “How about if I promise to bring her back at least once a year?”
The women looked at each other. He could tell they weren’t happy.
“How about he and I talk about doing some business together?” Fury said. “That way it will be an excuse to visit more.”
The women nodded.
“Okay. But we’ll also want to FaceTime her once a week,” Amelia said.
“That’s doable,” Dutch answered. “Now, where is she?”
Lindsey giggled. “She’s hiding behind the pool shed.”
“Did she think I’d just leave?”
Harley clapped her hands. “She knows you’ll eventually find her, but she said she was not ready to face you.”
“She’ll get over it,” Dutch said. He opened the door and turned back. “And girls, she might be screaming when I carry her to our room, and I don’t want any interference. She has to get over this bullshit.”