Chapter 258

Audrey

The lake cottage appeared just as it had the last time we visited–secluded and quiet, nestled into a copse of pine trees with the water’s calm surface glittering in the afternoon sunlight. Edwin put the car in park at the end of the gravel driveway, and the scent of fresh air hit me as we climbed out.

Before I could remark on the fact that we had come here on a whim, barely having given ourselves enough time to change out of our ceremony attire before we had packed two bags and jumped back into the car, Edwin turned to me and held out his hand expectantly. “Hand it over.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Your phone,” he said, eyes narrowing slightly. “This is supposed to be a work–free weekend, remember?”

I instinctively clutched my phone a little closer to my chest. “But what if something happens? What if Charles needs to reach us about the orphanage investigation?”

Edwin shook his head, his patience unwavering. “Then he knows how to reach me. Trust me, Audrey, the world will still be there for you to save when we get back. But right now, you need to take a break. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”

I hesitated for a moment and glanced down at my precious phone, but deep down, I knew he was right. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed this. I needed to unplug, even if just for a little while. Yet again, I had thrown myself headfirst into my problems and was beginning to suffer for it.

So, with a heavy sigh, I handed over my phone. I felt oddly vulnerable without it.

“Thank you,” he said, slipping it into his pocket with a satisfied smile. “You can thank me later.”

I doubted it, but I managed a small smile in return.

Once we unpacked our things, I found myself sprawled across the plush leather couch, flipping through a magazine that I had found on the coffee table. The cottage was quiet, far too quiet. Edwin had insisted on bringing us here to spend a weekend alone together, a chance to clear our heads, but with it this quiet, it just made the thoughts whirling through my mind even louder.

That was, until Edwin appeared from the bathroom. I glanced up–and immediately did a double–take, nearly choking on my own breath.

He stood there in nothing but his birthday suit, his muscles glistening in the sunlight streaming through the windows. His manhood was on full display, a cheeky grin plastered to his face. I couldn’t tell if he was coming on to me or… what.

But before I could say anything, he tossed something at me. My reflexes kicked in just in time, and I caught the soft bundle. Looking down, I realized it was a beach towel.

“Meet me outside in five minutes,” he said, winking before disappearing through the back door, still fully nude.

him, but he was already gone. Still, the day was much hotter than it should have been for fall, and the thought of soaking in the lake’s cool water suddenly didn’t seem like such a bad idea. With a shake of my head and a smile,

me made me

in the water on an enormous inflatable swan, sunglasses askew, drink

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Chapter 258

did you even get that thing?” I shouted, trying to suppress the giggles bubbling up

on his

he shot back,

81%

+5

than I expected as I climbed down the ladder at the end of the dock, but it wasn’t unbearably cold. The contrast between

air was actually pleasant, and by the time I was fully submerged, I hardly felt the

the floatie, Edwin reached out and helped pull me

an arm

shoulders as we floated lazily across the lake. “Isn’t this better than

drifting lazily through the blue sky overhead. We floated in easy silence for a while, just listening to the sounds of nature around us–the soft rustling of leaves, the occasional call

ever–present orphanage investigation, Edwin would splash me with water or crack some ridiculous joke that had me laughing despite myself. It

world can’t be saved in one night, you know,” he said softly

sighed, leaning into his touch. “I

too, love. But let’s not forget that you spent nearly all of your summer working your ass off, and you

summer, and already autumn to the estate and one date night, had arrived. We were lucky that today was as warm as it was, because aside from a brief trip we

of restlessness settle in. Edwin, had been doing so much to help me unwind lately, always making sure I was taken care

I carefully climbed float and swam back to shore.

off the

to

Cook?”

raised an eyebrow,

myself. “Don’t look so shocked. I can

the steaks to perfection–medium rare, just the way Edwin liked them. I found some simple sides in the cottage’s small kitchen, and soon enough, I had everything plated up and ready to go. By the time I

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