This will probably be the last update until Tuesday, I'm afraid. I'm away this weekend for a convention and the hotel wifi is not good. Then I have a paper due Monday. If I can get wifi, I'll post.


"I could get used to this," Emma sighed as she sank further into the water.

Their flight had arrived close to midnight, but it hadn't stopped them from dipping into the hot tub that was bubbling away on the back deck for their arrival.

"I'll have to invest in one for the apartment." Killian had to admit, while the water was nice, he was far more interested in Emma, and her red bikini, than he was the actual hot tub. He couldn't seem to pull his eyes away from the small droplets of water that were winding their way over her bare skin.

"I know you're joking, but I am totally going to look into getting one for mine."

Killian laughed as he pushed through the water, already fed up of the space between them.

"You look beautiful," he told her, pushing a damp lock of hair out of her face. "Like some kind of water goddess."

"I think you're a little biased." She sat down the glass of champagne she had been drinking, before running her hands over Killian's thighs and up his chest. "You, however… Let's just say there is a legion of fangirls out there who would love to see you like this. Maybe I should tweet it?"

"Don't you dare!"

The devious look that crossed Emma's face had Killian reaching for her thighs, pulling her further down into the water and onto his lap so he could hold her in place (and keep her away from her phone). She squealed at the sudden change of position before bringing her arms up to wrap around his neck.

"I love you," she told him, gently combing through the hair at the base of his neck with her wet fingers.

"I love you too."

Killian brought their lips together in a slow and sensual tease, kissing her breathless, before he stood, carrying Emma back to the four-poster bed that was waiting for them.

Neither one of them cared about the water dripping from their bodies as they went.


The next morning, Emma woke before Killian. It didn't often happen, between his early call times and her hatred for anything before nine am, so she wanted to make the most of it.

There was something so beautiful about Killian when he slept. His stubble was soft and in the dawn light, and Emma could just make out the hints of red that gave away his Irish heritage. His hair had fallen across his face as he slept. The soft strands curled just slightly at the tips where the heat from the hot tub had gotten past his usual styling products.

Emma took advantage of Killian's slumber to gently trace the features of his face. She wanted to commit every line and every freckle to memory before she had to leave.

It was as she was running her fingers over his full lips that she realised he had woken. Killian placed a sweet kiss to the tip of her index finger, before sighing contentedly.

"Morning." She smiled softly at him, even though he'd yet to open his eyes.

"Very good morning," he told her, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"What do you want to do today?" Emma didn't really want to leave the bed, but she'd do whatever Killian wanted to. As long as they were together, she would be happy.

"Can we just stay here? For a little longer at least?"

Emma slid further down the bed, so she could begin her exploration of Killian's upper body. "We can stay here as long as you'd like," she whispered placing a kiss over his heart.


They finally decided to leave the bed when Emma's stomach began protesting it's need for food. During the booking process, she had been assured that the local town would be a safe spot for her, should they wish to explore it. Celebrities often came up to the cabins for a weekend away and they kept coming back because of the privacy and normalcy they were offered in the area. When she mentioned that to Killian, he quickly suggested that they head into town and see if they could find somewhere to eat.

The manager Emma had spoken to had been right. Besides the occasional second glance, she and Killian were able to explore the town without any interference from the locals. Anton kept a respectable distance as he followed them around, not willing to risk Emma's safety for any reason. He did, however, give in to Emma and Killian's pleading and joined them for lunch when they found a small café to eat at.

It was the first time Killian had ever seen Anton relax and although he was still rather stilted with his exchanges, it was the most conversation Killian had ever seen the guy make.

"See, I told you he's warming up to you," Emma teased, as Anton paid their bill for them. (He had insisted.)

"I think you might be right. That's the most I've ever heard him speak before." Killian helped Emma into her jacket before a thought crossed his mind. "Does he speak with you often?"

"Yeah. But usually only when we're alone. I don't think he likes to show himself as being too close to me, as it can be perceived as weakness. He's a nice guy. You should meet his wife though. She is the complete opposite of Anton. So bubbly and chatty."

Killian's jaw dropped in disbelief.

"Anton's married?"


That evening, they spent their time relaxing in front of the fire. Killian had prepared chilli for them both and they ate it on the floor, discussing their families.

For the first time since they had met, Emma found herself opening up about her father. She explained how the few dishes she did know how to cook, he had taught her to make. Her mother could bake like nobody else but she was an awful cook. Emma spoke about his love for music and how he had taught her to play the piano as soon as she was old enough to sit at one. And she spoke about how much it had hurt when he'd died. How both her mother and grandmother changed so much that day and she'd changed because of it.

While Killian could never take away the pain of having lost her father, he held her that evening as she cried over the loss of the only other man she'd ever loved.

He made a promise to himself that evening. To always be the kind of man that her father would be proud to have his daughter dating. To always show Emma just how much she meant to him.

Even if they were separated by thousands of miles of land and ocean.


Thanks for reading.