But my heart surged because he asked.
“You’re crazy,” I said again, and discovered it’s possible to kiss someone senseless while smiling like an idiot the whole time.
We had a few hours to kill before taking the ferry back to Santorini, so we hit a nearby beach. Cutting through a ravine, one of the few places on the island with trees, we followed a footpath down to the water. A small pebbled beach revealed itself like a hidden treasure at the end. With the cliff behind us forming a protective cove, the water was calm and clear, a sheet of turquoise glass.
“No one’s here,” I said, as Alex rolled out a towel on the rocks. It seemed like a crime to have such a picturesque place all to ourselves. “What’s going on over there?” I shaded my eyes and pointed to a group of people across the bay. They were mostly hidden from view, but the canary yellow bulldozer was hard to ignore.
“They’re building a hotel on that side. They’ve been at it forever. They keep starting and stopping. Permits. Finance. Building materials. They seem to be dealing with a new obstacle every time I come home.”
“It’ll be spectacular when it’s done though. Imagine a room right there, by the water.”
“Speaking of water…” Alex held out his hand. “You missed your swimming lesson last night. Let’s go for a dip.”
“What? Out here?” I scoffed at the open sea. A swimming pool was bad enough, but it had boundaries. It didn’t swallow up the horizon or make you feel small and completely in awe.
“Such a chicken.” His lips grazed mine before he turned to the water, leaving a trail of clothes as he undressed.
I took a mental snapshot of him standing barefoot in his boxers, his body silhouetted against the sky, the perfect shape of his back.
Alex met the sea like it was an old friend, jumping in with a loud whoop. I leaned back on my elbows, my legs stretched out, and tilted my head back. A few clouds passed overhead, dissolving into wispy threads under the heat of the sun. It wasn’t long before beads of sweat started collecting between my breasts.
Sitting up, I saw Alex glide like a sleek eel under the water. Shrugging out of my blouse and shorts, I tiptoed to the edge in my underwear. The water was shockingly cold after sitting in the sun, but so clear that I could see my shadow on the rounded pebbles below.
“Come on in,” Alex said.
“Cold.” I gritted my teeth with each step I took. “Cold. Cold. Cold.”
“That’s it. I’ve got you.” He met me halfway and enveloped me in his arms.
Truth be told, he was cold as ice, but the feel of his body was infinitely worth it. His hand trailed rivulets of water down my back.
“Your nipples are so puckered up, you could key the side of someone’s car with them,” he said.
“You lured me in here to insult me?”
“Insult you? My God. I love your nipples. I would totally let you carve your initials on my heart with them…”
I laughed. “But?”
“But we’d have to discuss the font. You know, if it’s going to be a permanent thing.”
A permanent thing.
“What’s wrong?” Alex traced the frown lines between my eyes.
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “We both know this can never be a permanent thing.”
“Do we?” He cocked his head. “Nothing permanent starts that way. It’s something you invite to stay.” A glint of challenge flashed in his eyes.
“Alex, I—”
“I know. I’ve spooked you. Put thoughts in your head that weren’t there before. It’s what I do. Give you something to chew on—on the table or off. I think it’s time you return the favor.” He sunk his teeth into my neck and pretended to take a big bite. “Nope. Not meaty enough.”
I squealed as he went for my butt.
Splashing through the water, I laughed as he grabbed me and pulled me back.
“Not cold anymore?” He stroked my arm, shoulder to wrist.
