Legends

Lost Time: Part I

Allie's POV

I heard Brantley's footsteps as he walked out on the deck as I shut the door to the bedroom and leaned back against it letting out a deep breath. I closed my eyes mentally chiding myself. Not the time to get in your head Allie, so not the time to get in your head. You were married to the man for almost six years. You have this. I pushed off the door walking over to the bag Brantley had packed. I chuckled when I opened it seeing the black bikini I'd been wearing in Nassau sitting on top. I rolled my eyes, should have known.

I pulled it out deciding to put that on then stopped. I mean, the man did say clothing was optional. I knew exactly what he meant by that. I was pulling my jeans off when a piece of material caught my eye. I tugged out the blue silk robe the color of my eyes that he had bought me years ago. I had forgotten that I had stuffed it into one of my suitcases. Deciding that was a better idea, I shimmied out of my clothes slipping it on then spraying on a little of my favorite body splash, piled my hair up in a messy bun calling it good.

Throwing my shoulders back and mustering up a little confidence, I opened the door and headed toward the glass doors leading outside. I rolled my eyes and grinned at the pile of clothes and pair of boots near the door. That black hat sitting on top of the pile. Yep, I knew it. I shut the door behind me then took a couple of steps out onto the deck pausing at the steps. I looked down at the hot tub framed by some of the most beautiful stone work I had ever seen with a couple steps leading up to it. A pair of fluffy white towels to the side, the lights on low inside it, and candles around the edges.

I could see the steam rising from the water in the cool night air but that wasn't what had my attention as I got closer. It was the broad pair of shoulders leaned against the side with long arms stretched out as he had his head tipped up looking at the night sky. Think the only times I have ever seen him so still was in his sleep or hunting. I walked up the smooth stone steps and stopped. I bit down on the inside of my cheek to tamp down the butterflies in my stomach as that intense green gaze locked on me. I fought off the urge to growl at Brantley when a wide smirk spread across his lips.

"When I said clothing was optional Allie Cat," he said with a grin. "I meant none...at...all."

"I know what you meant," I huffed rolling my eyes reaching for the belt of my robe then pausing. "Look it's been four years okay."

"Nothing I haven't seen before baby," he said with a chuckle sitting up in the water slightly and I just about drooled as more of that chest and ink came into view. "You sleep most nights in just my damn t-shirt anyhow."

"Still," I said swallowing deeply. You can do this Allie, I thought. I stopped as my hands shook a tad from nerves. "Either turn around or cover your eyes B."

"Are you fucking kidding me Allie?" Brantley said rolling his eyes at me shaking his head.

"Please?" I pleaded softly making his glare soften before he heaved out a sigh.

"Fine," he grumbled lifting his hands to cover his eyes pouting like he was two. I quickly stripped out of the robe and slid into warm water with a sigh. I kicked my foot against his leg as I settled across from him.

"Don't think I didn't notice you peeking," I said with a soft laugh as he lowered his hands giving me a wink.

"I never claimed to be a saint honey," Brantley said with a dark chuckle. "You know this."

"Boy do I," I quipped back with a grin. I let out a soft moan as he picked my right foot up massaging the arch gently with his thumbs.

"What was that all about Allie Cat?" he asked gently giving me a look. Damn man could read me like a book. "I know you are in your head. I mean yes, I understand that time has passed. There have been other people in both of our lives, but sweetheart, we were married. There is very little honey I don't know or haven't seen."