“Where is this lesson taking place?”
“At the beach. It’s a designated swimming area. I wouldn’t?—”
“Jesus fuck, Romeo.” She cuts me off. “Do you know how cold that water will be? You’ll give the girl hypothermia on your second date.”
“Not if I keep her moving and get her out of her wet clothes when we’re finished.” I realize how this sounds the instant the words leave my mouth. Heat rushes to my face. “I don’t mean I’ll undress her. I?—”
She chuckles, her shoulders finally relaxing. I thought she was going to tell me that I was being a fucking idiot, but now I think I might’ve said the right thing. Women are so confusing sometimes. Especially Gia Rossi. Why does she even care so much about my date?
“She agreed to a second date, yes?”
“She did.”
“So, you must’ve passed the test last night.”
“The test?”
“It’s a figure of speech.” She dismisses any further questions with a wave of her hand. “You wouldn’t catch me swimming in the Hudson River at night, so she must really like you too.”
I want to add that I wouldn’t catch her swimming in the Hudson River at any time of day, but I’m still replaying the rest of the comment in my head.
She must really like you too.
“But whatever the fuck you do, Romeo, if her lips turn blue, get her out of the water and warm her up.”
Sara is wearing another tracksuit when I meet her outside the salon. Baby blue. White sneakers. And a gym bag over her shoulder.
I like that she wears what makes her feel comfortable. I mean, she’d look stunning in a little black dress and heels, but she looks stunning the way she is. Natural. Relaxed. Happy. She isn’t one of those women who try to be something they’re not.
I didn’t bring flowers today, and suddenly, I can hear my mom’s voice in my head telling me to treat her like a lady.
“I brought towels.” I gesture to the bag at my feet.
I don’t know if towels are an acceptable substitute for flowers, but it’s too late to take it back now. Besides, I’m already picturing me wrapping a fluffy towel around her bare shoulders and rubbing her dry. While she chews on her bottom lip and watches me.
Her smile lights up her face. “Did you remember the life jacket?”
Fuck!Gia is going to kill me.
“No. Shit. I can go and pick one up before we?—”
Sara touches my arm lightly, and I don’t pull away. I could get used to her touching me. Iwantto get used to her touching me more than I’ve ever wanted anything before. And not just my arm.
“I’m messing around, Romeo. I trust you to keep me alive.”
“You do?”Fuck!I’m flustered, and we haven’t even gone anywhere yet. “I’m glad. I mean, I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, Sara.”
“I know.” She gazes into my eyes, and for a couple of beats, there’s only the two of us. No one else exists in the world. “Shall we?”
I take her hand, and it feels so natural, the thought of never doing this again makes my chest ache.
There are people strolling along the boardwalk when we arrive, but the beach is empty. I’m glad. I chose the river over one of the public pools because I don’t want her to feel self-conscious. There’s also the little matter of wanting her all to myself.
Sara is wearing a bathing suit under her clothes. It’s black with a pattern picked out in violet and silver that accentuates her narrow waist and slender hips. My eyes travel up to the curve of her breasts, and my loins immediately spring to life inside my swim shorts.
She is fucking beautiful.
I already knew she was beautiful the first time I saw her, but in a bathing suit… Mentally, I’m slipping those straps over her shoulders, exposing her perfect pink nipples, and tracking a line down her body with my tongue. I can taste her now. Sweet as honey. A taste that could get addictive.
