“Thank you,” he murmured. “For bringing me here.”
“You brought yourself.”
“We both know that’s not true.”
I didn’t argue. Just held him, fingers sliding into his hair, letting the ocean’s rhythm surround us.
His eyes gleamed with something playful. Mischievous.
Dangerous combination.
“You know what I realized?” he asked.
“What?”
“We’ve never been swimming together.”
I laughed. “That’s what you’re thinking about right now?”
“I’m thinking about a lot of things.” His smile widened. “Swimming is one of them.”
“Xavier...”
He scooped me into his arms before I could finish the protest.
“Don’t you dare!” I shrieked, laughing, clinging to his shoulders.
“Too late.”
He ran toward the waves.
I was laughing too hard to fight properly. Half-protesting, half-delighted, holding onto him as he charged into the ocean like a man possessed.
Waves crashed. Cold water soaking through my clothes, his clothes, everything.
He didn’t drop me. Just held me as the ocean swirled past his thighs, grinning like this was the best idea he’d ever had.
“You’re insane,” I managed through laughter.
“You love me anyway.”
“Debatable.”
His grin widened. Then he kissed me.
Salty. Wet. Perfect.
I kissed him back, arms wrapping behind his neck, legs circling his waist. Ocean washing past us, sunset painting everything gold and orange and pink.
Pure, uncomplicated joy.
No danger. No Dresner. No fear.
Just us.
Laughing, kissing, alive.
He finally set me down, both of us soaked to the bone. Water dripped from his hair, his clothes plastered to his body.
