Taken

Chapter 35

I stepped out the shower and wrapped the towel around me. I looked in the mirror and flicked my hair into another towel before drying my body. I quickly pulled another swim suit on. Then took my hair out the towel before putting it back into a messy bun.

I walked into the bedroom. Nico was sitting on the bed with his head and back against the headboard. He looked to me as I walked in and smiled. Without saying anything I crawled onto the bed and over to him. He placed his arm over my shoulder and pulled me into him more. I gripped his shirt at his chest tightly and rested my head on his shoulder. I was scared, and I was craving closeness, I was wanting to feel loved and cherished.

"I'm sorry Anna. I had no idea that he'd try that. I'm sorry that I put you in that position." Nico whispered to me. I shook my head, I wasn't interested in his apologies.
"Anna?" He said, pulling back and moving his hand so it was under my chin, he gently guided me so I was looking at him. He looked concerned.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, the look in his eyes made me sad. I shook my head again.
"I don't want to hear it." I whispered, before leaning in and kissing his lips. Nico responded quickly, moving his hand so it was cupping my cheek. He moved us so we were laying, his body was resting slightly over mine, his other hand grabbing at my waist. He deepened the kiss momentarily before stopping. I looked up at him, my heart slamming against my chest.

He pursed his lips and slightly smiled at me before moving away. I could tell he was conflicted. He moved and sat on the edge of the bed away from me.
"Nico?" I whispered, sitting up and reaching for him. He raised his hand, indicating for me to stop.
"Anna I can't do that knowing that I've put you in danger." He sighed heavily.
"Kev, can you come in here?" Nico called out, leaning so his elbows were resting on his knees and his head was buried in his hands.

Kevin soon walked in the door, his eyes immediately went to Nico, then to me.

"Kev, can you take Anna? Ask the staff to cook you guys a meal or something." Nico said standing. He still didn't look at me.
Without acknowledging me he whispered something into Kevin's ear, then turned and walked into the bathroom.
I knelt on the bed looking at Kevin, feeling like an idiot. I could feel tears welling in my eyes, and the pang of rejection.

Kevin stepped forward and gently took my hand in his, helping me off the bed. He walked me to the dressing room and grabbed a sun dress and passed it to me. I pulled the dress over my head and adjusted it. Kevin gently placed his hand on the small of my back and walked me out to the area where we had eaten.

"Is he mad at me?" I whispered, sitting in my spot and raising my knees so I was hugging them. Kevin moved his chair closer to me and sat down, his hand gently resting on my knee.
"No, he's not mad at you. He's mad at himself." Kevin responded, looking to me. The sliding door opened, I spun my head to look at it, hoping Nico would be joining us. A small pang of sadness hit me when Ford walked through the doors.

"They'll be coming out to take orders soon." Ford said walking over and sitting in his spot.
"How are you feeling Anna?" He asked leaning back in his chair.
"I'm okay. Thank you for doing what you did." I responded, putting my legs down and leaning on the armrest closest to Kevin.
Ford smiled at me.
"Anytime. Thank you for opening him up. Smart move." I nodded at his words, grateful that he was aware what I had tried to do.

"Nico not joining us?" Ford said looking to Kevin, he simply shook his head. I looked down at my lap, guilt flooding my body.
The sliding of the door broke the tension that was building. Out the corner of my eye I could see it was a server.
"The dinner menu for tonight. May I start with drinks?" The server said, placing a small piece of paper in front of each of us. He stood next to me and looked at me.
"Uh, a red wine please. Your choice." I said looking to him. He nodded then moved on to Kevin and Ford. Both ordered beers.
"Will Mr Sallach be joining you this evening?" The server asked looking at Nico's spot.
I watched as Kevin shook his head.
"He won't be. But please, bring him some food, I believe he's having some meetings tonight." Kevin responded, moving his hand so it was gently touching the back of my elbow.
The server nodded and left.
"Meetings?" Ford asked, leaning back in his chair. Kevin nodded and leant back, moving his hand away from me and resting his chin on his right hand fingers.
"Yeah. He said he is happy to take them alone. I offered to stay, but he dismissed me. I believe once dinner is done we will be underway again." Kevin said, looking up at the server as they passed him his beer. He took a deep swig and looked to me as I took my wine off the serving platter.

I looked to him watching me and took a sip of my wine. There was more to it than what Kevin was letting on. I looked down at the floor, feeling uneasy.

"What's the time?" I asked looking back up to Kevin, he quickly checked his watch.
"It's 8pm." He responded dropping his hand back to the arm rest, taking another swig of his beer. I nodded and stood up. I could feel both Kevin and Ford watching me. I walked to the sun lounges and looked out at the setting sun. I quickly turned back around and put my glass on the table.
"I'm going up to the sun deck. I'll be back soon." I said, walking straight past them as I said it. I picked up the bottom of the dress and ran up the stairs.

When I reached the top I walked to the rear where the sun lounges were set up. I sat down on one and pulled my legs to my chest. Hugging my knees.
I could hear someone coming up the steps behind me. I continued looking out to the sea and to the bright orange, red and pink which donned the sky.
I could feel him step over the sun lounge so he was straddling it as he sat down, bringing his legs up so they were either side of me. I watched as he brought his hands forward and gripped them together between my calves and thighs. I lent back slightly and let him hold me that way.

"I feel like I've done the wrong thing." I whispered to him. Kevin didn't respond, simply kissed my back and left his chin there.
"You've done nothing wrong." He said gently pulling me closer to him. I nodded my head and rested my chin on my knees, watching as the last light of day faded. I was thankful for Kevin's warmth and closeness. It was the closeness that I'd been craving.

"They're serving dinner." Ford said breaking the silence. I jumped slightly. Kevin simply tightened his grip slightly around my legs.
"We'll be there in a sec." He replied, I could feel his fringe slightly flick me as he turned to look at Ford. His hands released and I lay my legs out. Taking a deep breath before I stood up. Kevin quickly stood up and moved so he was standing in front of me. I looked up to him as he stared down at me.

"I promise, you've not done anything wrong." He said, reaching forward and gently moving some of my loose fringe out my face, then cupping my cheek.
I closed my eyes and exhaled. Understanding his words; but not feeling them.
Before I could comprehend what was happening I felt his lips press against mine. I opened my eyes and looked at him before closing them and moulding into the kiss more. Kevin held me closely to his body, his hand still cupping my head and the other grabbing my waist. I reached up and ran my hand through his hair. We pulled away slightly breathless.

Kevin smiled down at me and pulled me into him again; kissing me briefly before stepping back.
"Sorry; I've been wanting to do that for a while. Shall we?" He said gesturing towards the stairs. I nodded my head and began walking, Kevin gently wrapped his arm around my waist and walked me down the stairs.
Ford sat at the table with his leg on one of the chairs sipping his beer. I walked up to him and placed my hands on his shoulders before leaning down and kissing his cheek. He smiled at me and gently grabbed my right hand with his and gave it a squeeze.
"Thank you again" I whispered to him before moving back to my seat. He nodded at me and moved his leg so he was just sitting on the chair.

Kevin moved behind me and pushed my chair in then sat down in his spot next to me. The server came out and began serving the food onto the plates. I sipped my wine and leant back.

The sliding door opened, and I looked to it. Nico walked out and walked to the table, sitting in his spot. Knots formed in my stomach, guilt began filling me. I'd kissed Nico earlier then Kevin. I immediately dropped my head and looked at my lap.
"I've got 20 minutes before the next meeting." He said, waving over a server.
"I'll have a beer and a plate thanks." The server nodded and walked away, before returning a short time later with what he'd requested.

Nico looked to me and smiled before turning to Ford and Kevin and talking about the meetings.
I ate my meal silently. Listening to what they were saying.
"What about the Murdock's?" I perked up, and they noticed it. Looking to me.
"I'm just going to have to hope that they'll help." Nico said leaning back and sipping his beer. He watched me and I mirrored his movements and sipped my wine.

Nico sighed and stood up.
"I'll catch you all later." He said looking at them before turning to me. Without saying anything to me he walked forward and kissed the top of my head before leaving the table.

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