“Nope. He was dozing in a rocker when I left. I think he had been reading.”
“Must be your influence. I’ve never seen him with a book in his hand.”
“Well, this one was lying on the floor so who knows how far he got.”
Laurel chuckled. “If we swim closer to where you jumped in, you’ll be able to stand on an underwater ledge.”
“Really? That devil Dillon never mentioned it.”
“Probably because he didn’t want you relying on it... and because he’s a rascal.”
Call slipped under the water and swam toward the rocks. He found it easier to move when he was submersed rather than struggling awkwardly to keep his head up. He clutched at the stones until his feet found the ledge and then he stood. Carefully turning around, he faced Laurel.She was lazily keeping herself afloat by making figure eights with cupped hands. He marveled at her ease.
“Are you frozen through yet?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Used to it already. You?”
“About the same. It feels good.” Because he was standing now, he was able to keep his balance and raise a hand. He crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”
“I don’t think so.”
“This won’t work if you’re not cooperative.”
“I thought we agreed you would come to my bed.”
He shrugged. “You told me you were thinking of your comfort when you said that. You’re comfortable now, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but—”
“Well, then, come here.”
After a brief hesitation, Laurel sculled the water and moved within an arm’s length. He lifted a single dark eyebrow and regarded her sardonically. Laurel was not immune to the challenge and she paddled closer.
“That’s better.”
Was it? She wasn’t so sure.
“Are you getting tired yet?”
“No.”
He grinned. “You’d probably let yourself drown rather than admit it. Need I remind you that this was your idea?”
“This? I don’t think I ever imagined this. Actually, I’m quite certain I didn’t.”
Call caught the curve of her waist while she was still talking and pulled her close. “See? It’s fine.” He settled an arm around her back. “You can rest and I can support you.”
Laurel thought she should be sorry that she told him about the ledge, but she wasn’t. It was comfortable, the way they fit together, especially now with the water embracing them. His chest was bare and hers might well have been—the flimsy cotton camisole was no barrier at all. The material simply clung to her like a skin she was about to shed.
“Put your arms around my neck,” he said.
When she complied, he shifted his hands and cupped her bottom in his palms. Laurel felt herself being lifted effortlessly, and it came to her as completely natural to raise her knees and use them to hug his hips.
“You should probably kiss me,” he whispered.
19
Call’s smile was charming, Laurel thought. How had she not noticed that before now? Did he hold it back for occasions such as this, when he was single-mindedly bent on seduction? But then how was it seduction if he was asking her to take the lead? She didn’t know, but she wasn’t opposed to the idea of it.
