Aiden glanced at her, noticing the wistful look in her eyes. “’Tis nae all romantic, lass. There’s danger and hardship, too. But ‘tis a part of me.”
Katie nodded in understanding. “I can see that. I’ve always dreamed of exploring new places, seeing the world beyond what I know.”
“Sometimes life doesnae go as planned,” Aiden said. “Sometimes ye have to fight for what ye want.”
Katie smiled up at him, and he was somewhat surprised by her response. “Thank you, Aiden. I’m trying to make the best of it. Maybe this loch is one of those unexpected joys.”
Aiden gave a small, approving nod. “Aye, mayhap it is.”
An awkward silence settled between them as they continued their walk. He glanced down at her and noticed that she was smiling again, just admiring the nature around them. It was a subtle, contented smile, and it made him feel proud, almost gleeful that he’d been there to witness it.
As they neared a secluded spot on the loch’s edge, Aiden stopped and turned to Katie. He had a mad idea, something he didn’tthink she’d agree to, but it could be the exact thing they both needed to relax, and it would perhaps give them a fresh start.
“Do ye want to go for a swim? The water’s cold, but ‘tis refreshing.”
Katie’s eyes widened with surprise. “A swim?”
CHAPTER 8
“Ye should try it.”Aiden grinned.
Katie hesitated, her gaze flicking between Aiden and the inviting water. “I’ve never done something like this before. But… yes, I’d like to try it.”
They walked together in a more relaxed manner to the edge of the water. Aiden’s smile was genuine for the first time in days as he absorbed Katie’s enthusiasm.
“Aye,” he said, unfastening and shedding his outer garments. “’Tis nae every day ye get the chance to swim in a Scottish loch.”
Katie sucked in a sharp breath as her eyes landed on Aiden’s nearly naked body. His chiseled chest and taut stomach rippled with lean, sculpted muscles. His lightly furred, strong arms and rough hands glistened in the remaining sunlight.
A smooth, silky line of hair ran from his navel to beneath his briefs, where she could see the outline of his manhood. Her groin ached in response and filled her with an undeniable desire to touch him, caress his skin, and draw a line with her tongue from his navel to his hidden place. His legs were muscular and powerful, peppered with soft tufts of hair that extended from his thighs to his ankles. Katie clenched her thighs together and drank in the sight of him with unbridled lust.
Her face felt overheated, and her heart raced as she fought to tame her rising need to come together with him. With a hammering heart, Katie quickly and shakily shed her outer clothing, waded into the cool, crystal-clear blue water, and shrieked when its iciness enveloped her body. She bobbed in the water like a cork, relishing the feel of the gravel bottom beneath the soles of her feet.
Aiden laughed at Katie’s yelp and followed her into the water. The shock of the cold water was invigorating and cathartic.
Aiden circled Katie’s bobbing body until his foot grazed her shin. Katie felt him gently tip her backwards with his right hand on her shoulder, while his left hand cradled her waist in support.
“I don’t know how to swim,” Katie protested.
“’Tis nae a problem. Mayhap today ye will learn how.” Aiden smiled as he guided her into a floating position.
Katie shivered as his fingers cupped her chin, then traveled lightly down her throat, drawing lazy circles that raised the hairon the back of her neck and arms and shot tendrils of desire to her most intimate place.
His fingertips moved downwards, brushing and circling the swell of her breasts. Katie opened her mouth and let out a small groan of intense pleasure. Their faces were mere inches from each other, their lips nearly touching.
In the sudden stillness between them, Katie inhaled Aiden’s breath as he did hers. The intensity of her arousal was so great that she could not move a muscle. As their lips met, a large flock of herring gulls suddenly descended upon the waters of the loch, startling Katie, who promptly bucked in surprise and sank to the bottom of the lake.
Katie sputtered and coughed as Aiden pulled her to her feet and brushed the hair from her face and eyes.
“Mayhap I am nae as good an instructor as I’d thought.” He roared with laughter.
“Perhaps your talents lie closer to land,” Katie choked out.
The spell now broken, Aiden led her by the hand back to the safety of the shore.
“We should go back, I think,” Katie suggested ruefully.
Aiden nodded in agreement and tried vainly to suppress another laugh.
