Lana Read Online Free

elbow, pulling me firmly to his front door, then ushering me in.   “I’ll be quick.   Make yourself at home,” he said, stroking a hand down my hair, then disappearing up the stairs.  
      I walked through the main floor slowly, taking in all of the changes rather numbly.   It had turned from a somewhat rundown beach house into an ultra-modern, sunlit infused haven.   The color scheme was simple, with lots of white and pale gray and a few touches of bright color.   A bright yellow vase on the mantle, and a colorful painting in the living area, just splashes of color here and there, all of the neutral bringing that color out more vividly.   The whole space was open now, with only glass walls.   But the windows were the most spectacular change, lining the walls now, letting in the light, for clear, clean views of the beach.   Apparently, business had been good for Akira.   I was glad.  
      Akira changed quickly, joining me near the window as I gazed at the ocean.   He walked up behind me, and I still didn’t look at him.  
      He tugged on a lock of my hair gently.   “Hey.   Will you at least look at me?”  
      I finally did, and was immediately sorry.   He wore only a pair of black board shorts, of course.   I could see the many thick black tattoos that dotted the front of his muscular shoulders.   The tribal patterns traced down to his mid back, I knew.   I loved those tattoos.   His abs were as washboard hard as ever.   I tried not to drool as I took in his perfect naked torso.   I finally tore my eyes away from his golden skin to look into his troubled gaze.   “Your house looks amazing,” I told him.  
      He just nodded, studying my face.   “I’ve upset you.   How can I make it better?” he asked, his voice so serious and quiet.  
      I felt my face crumple, and he enfolded me in his arms.   I buried my face in his chest, in the spot right between his muscular pectorals.   I pressed my body full against him, wanting to stay wrapped in those arms forever.   This was why I could never come back here.   My feelings hadn’t dimmed with time; they’d merely been pushed back into a dark corner of my heart, ignored, as I was deprived of his intoxicating presence.   But to him, to him, I was only a burden.   A family friend with an inconvenient infatuation , I recalled, was how he’d phrased it.   Those had been his words to Milena at the time.   And that had been the day after I’d seduced him.  
        “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I said against his chest, not willing to pull away, even to speak.  
      He made that sympathetic little humming noise in his throat, kissing the top of my head softly.   “It’s me.   I’m a bastard.   I’m sorry.   And you’re probably tired from the flight.   Wanna take a nap?   We can try the beach later, or even on another day.”  
      I made a sound of protest.   “I leave in two days.”  
      I felt his chest expand on a deep breath.   “Wow.   I was hoping you’d stay a bit longer.   That’s so short, after all of those years away.   Don’t you miss it here, just a little?”  
      I wanted to sob like a baby.   I wanted to hit him.   It was such a cruel question, coming from him.   But I just stayed flush against him as tears ran down my cheeks in an embarrassing flood.  
      His chest rumbled in distress as he felt my tears streaming down my face and then his chest.   “Oh, baby, how you must hate me.”  
      I sobbed at that, because I didn’t.   Because I couldn’t.
      He picked me up, cradling me like the baby I was.   He kissed my forehead as he carried me upstairs.   My eyes were closed when he laid me on his bed.   I wouldn’t let go of him when he tried to straighten.   He laughed, a sweet little rumble against my cheek.   “Is there a reason that you’re hanging onto me like a monkey?” he asked, amused.  
      “Can you stay with me, for just a minute?”