Page 19 of The Earl That Got Away (Sirens in Silk #2)
Chapter Fifteen
A fter a restless night, Hawk woke early and went down to the lake at dawn to row as he did almost every morning. His guests were still asleep. He’d be back before they all came down for breakfast.
He rowed hard, his blades cutting through the still water, the rhythmic splashing coming at regular intervals.
Here, out on the water, his troubles receded.
He barely felt the pain in his muscles as he repeated the same motion again and again.
He customarily rowed for about an hour a day, but since Naila’s arrival at Briar Hall, he’d increased his time on the water, his sessions extending well over two hours.
Perspiration streamed down his torso as his muscles worked.
His entire body was involved in the motion of rowing: His legs braced him, his back and shoulders worked in tandem with his arms, his belly contracted with every stroke.
He paused long enough to remove his shirt.
He was out here alone where no one would see him, save the groundskeeper who was, by now, accustomed to seeing the master out on the lake at all hours.
Yet, no matter how long and strenuously he exerted himself, Hawk couldn’t escape thoughts of Naila.
Having her here, in the home they might have shared together, was tearing him apart inside.
He’d told himself that he had recovered from their break.
But seeing her again, having her as a guest in his home, proved what an idiot he was to think he could ever get over Naila.
Only a fool would pine away for a woman who’d deserted him.
But here he was.
He tightened his grip on the oars and cut through the water at a faster pace, trying to find the sense of serenity he could usually find on the water, if only Naila would stop intruding on his mind.
Naila walked along the lake. It was early and, as far as she could tell, no one at the hall was awake except for the servants, who were already busy at their tasks. She’d walked for well over an hour, exploring Briar Hall’s extensive grounds.
She was surprised to hear the sound of swishing water.
Peering out over the lake, she spotted him almost immediately.
Hawk was rowing a small boat at a quick pace.
Her mouth went dry. He wasn’t wearing a shirt.
She immediately fell back in time, to the afternoon when Hawk had first taken her out on the water.
When she’d boldly asked him to remove his shirt.
His physique had been fine back then but Hawk’s body had thickened, losing any lanky boyishness.
He possessed the form of a grown man and seasoned athlete.
The toned muscles in his arms flexed each time the oars dipped into the water.
She stepped back against a tree, hiding in the shadows of the branches so that he wouldn’t see her.
She was breathing heavily, and her body tingled as though he were touching her.
Her heart raced as she watched him move through the water, mesmerized by the way his lean muscles worked, his skin moist and glistening.
She remembered all too well what it felt like to have his body move against hers.
She stifled a sob that was equal parts regret and need.
Her body had been denied for too long. She ached for physical connection after having lived too many years without it. She missed being touched by Hawk. He had awakened her body in Philadelphia. She’d been starved for bodily pleasures since.
If only she didn’t know what she was missing. Maybe being in the dark would make this longing more bearable.
He released the oars, the boat skimming along the water’s surface until it eased to a stop, water ripples ringing out from the boat. He reached for his shirt and mopped his face with it. And then dragged the white cloth over the contours of his chest and under his arms.
Naila devoured the sight of him, relishing this opportunity to stare at him. Something tickled her nose. Alarm rippled through her. She tried to contain the coming sneeze to the point where it ended up sounding like a muffled squeak rather than a full-out achoo.
Out on the water, Hawk suddenly stilled.
His body alerted to the sound. He looked around, scanning the trees.
Naila shrank back against the trunk and prayed he would not spot her.
Her heart stopped when his stare seemed to fix on her.
His face was a blur but she could feel the intensity of his searching gaze.
She froze, holding her breath, willing herself to die on the spot if he actually spotted her.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hawk tossed his bunched-up shirt aside. Then he reached for the oars and began to move, powering the small boat down the lake and away from her.
Relief poured through Naila. She watched him row, her eyes never leaving Hawk, until he was out of sight.
And even then, she stayed where she was for several more minutes before rising and putting herself to rights.
Then she started back to the Hall, bracing for what was to come, and willing herself not to flush when she saw Hawk at breakfast.