“I think this might be my new favorite place,” I said softly, trailing my fingers in the cool water, the sensation both grounding and calming.
“I’m glad you like it,” Ethan replied, his voice full of happiness.
A sudden urge to capture the beauty of the moment struck me, and I stood up to get a better view. “Let me see if I can get a good shot from here,” I said, reaching for my phone.
“Careful,” Ethan warned, his voice laced with caution. But it was too late.
In my eagerness, I misjudged the boat’s balance. As I stood to take the photo, the boat tipped precariously, and I flailed my arms, trying to steady myself. “Whoa!” Ethan shouted, reaching out to catch me but, before either of us could react, the boat wobbled violently, and we both plunged into the lake with a loud splash.
The cold water shocked my system, sending a jolt through me as I surfaced with a gasp, spluttering and laughing. I glanced around, thankful that we hadn’t drifted too far from the shore, and even more grateful that modern phones were waterproof.
Ethan emerged next to me, his hair plastered to his forehead, and an expression of disbelief mixed with amusement on his face. “Well, that’s one way to enjoy the lake,” he chuckled, wiping water from his eyes.
I couldn’t stop laughing, my sides aching from both the plunge and the sheer absurdity of the situation. “You were supposed to keep me safe!” I teased, splashing water at him.
Ethan laughed, his grin infectious. “I tried! You’re the one who tipped us over!” He swam closer, his warm hand finding mine in the cool water. “Come on, let’s get you out of the water before you freeze.”
As we splashed around, Ethan, ever the quick thinker, grabbed the boat’s edge and guided it back to the dock, securing it with one hand.
With the boat now safely anchored, Ethan turned his attention to me, his touch steady and comforting as he helped me out of the water, his hands firm around my waist as he lifted me onto the dock. Despite the chill in the air, and the water dripping from our clothes, his presence made everything warmer.
Once we were both safely out of the water, Ethan gave the boat one last tug to make sure it was securely tied, leaving it ready for another day. Then, with a smile, he turned back to me.
“Thanks,” I said, still laughing as I sat on the dock, water dripping from my clothes. “This definitely wasn’t what I expected.”
Ethan climbed out after me, settling beside me on the dock, water dripping from his clothes. He flashed me a playful smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. “You know, Vinnie, I’m starting to think you might be a bit accident-prone,” he teased, his voice light but laced with affection.
I laughed, the sound blending with the soft lapping of the water against the dock. “Maybe I am,” I admitted, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face. “But I like to think it keeps things interesting.”
He chuckled, his gaze softening as he reached out to brush a wet strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “Well, I can’t argue with that,” he murmured, his voice dippinginto something more tender. “And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I glanced over at Ethan, an idea sparking in my mind. “Race you to the truck!” I called, a mischievous grin spreading across my face as I took off, my feet slipping on the uneven ground.
Ethan laughed, the sound full of surprise and delight. “You’re on!” he shouted, sprinting after me. We stumbled and laughed our way back to the truck, our soaked clothes clinging to us as the cold air seeped into our bones.
By the time we reached the truck, we were both breathless and still giggling, and utterly drenched from head to toe. Ethan unlocked the door and pulled it open, and I climbed inside, grateful for the shelter from the biting wind. As he joined me, he rummaged around in the back seat and pulled out a small duffel bag, tossing it onto the seat.
“I keep some spare clothes in here,” he explained, pulling out a dry T-shirt, a flannel shirt, and a pair of shorts. “I like to go hiking and camping, so I’m always prepared for getting a little wet or dirty.”
He handed the clothes to me. “Here, these might be a bit big, but at least they’re dry.”
I took them, noting that they smelled like him—clean, with that familiar hint of his cologne that I found both comforting and intoxicating. I suddenly felt self-conscious, the reality of our situation hitting me. As much as I wanted Ethan, I realized I didn’t want our first time seeing each other naked to be under these circumstances—rushed and out of necessity. I wanted it to be on our own terms, something we both chose and savored.
“Could you turn around for a moment?” I asked, my voice softer now.
Ethan smiled, his eyes twinkling with understanding. “Of course,” he said, turning his back to give me some privacy.
As I quickly changed, I made the decision to shed my wet bra and panties, not wanting to soak the dry clothes. The oversized fabric of his T-shirt fell to just above my knees, and his scent wrapped around me, like he was holding me when we weren’t even touching.
“Okay, all set,” I said, putting on the flannel shirt like a jacket.
Ethan turned back, his smile widening when he saw me in his clothes. “You look adorable,” he said softly. The heater whirred to life, filling the cab with toasty air that chased away the chill.
A blush crept up my cheeks, and a flutter in my stomach made me feel shy and giddy all at once. “Thanks,” I replied, managing a small smile. “I might have to steal this shirt from you.”
Ethan’s smile turned into a playful grin, his eyes glinting with mischief. “You can have all my shirts if it means seeing you in them,” he teased. “But just a warning, I might need to steal them back every now and then.”
“I think we can work something out,” I replied, my voice matching his playful tone, though there was an undeniable heat simmering beneath the surface.
