His resounding laughter echoes off the rocks. ‘It’s the sea, of course there are fish in there.’
‘What about crabs?’ I cling on to the salt-rusted handrail, wondering why I ever thought this was a good idea.
‘Baby, trust me when I say you don’t need to worry about crabs.’ Ronan turns and shoots me a wink as I reach the last, slightly larger, moss-covered step.
I slip my palm into his and he offers it a reassuring squeeze.
The air shifts, carrying the tangy scent of salt and the faint fragrance of seaweed. The pool is no more than ten metres wide and more oval shaped than round. The edges are adorned with weathered flat stones, smoothed by the swell of the ocean over time. Barnacles cling to the crevices, while colourful algae paint the scene with hues of green and red.
I eye the water tentatively. Even through my terror, I can appreciate its mesmerising blend of azure and jade. Gentle ripples dance across the surface. Under the sun’s gentle caress, the water sparkles and shimmers.
‘It’s absolutely beautiful.’ Ronan tugs me closer to the edge.
‘It is. But I still don’t know if I can do it.’ Nerves gnaw at my stomach.
‘Let me go first, then I’ll help you, okay?’ Ronan drops the towel wrapped around his waist on the flattest part of the largest rock. If the glistening water doesn’t entice me in, the glistening sheen on his naked body just might.
‘What happened to “we’ll go in in our underwear?”’
He arches his eyebrow and smirks. ‘You did say there’d be no one else around.’
‘It’s one way to get me into the water.’ I drink him in. The curved rippling torso, the sharp V of his hips. His impressive length. His body is perfection, but the more time I spend with him, the more I see the real appeal. His permanent positivity, his cool confidence and his huge…heart.
He sits and lowers his thick, toned legs into the water.
‘Is it cold?’ I tentatively drop my own towel and step closer.
‘No.’ Ronan inches himself in until he’s standing, the gentle ripples lapping at his chest. At least it’s not too deep. ‘Come in. It’s fabulous.’ He sinks beneath the water, submerging his entire head before leaping up.
The expression of joy on his face appears to be genuine. I lower myself to a seated position and Ronan extends his arms, reaching out for me. ‘I’ve got you, baby. I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to you.’ His eyes twinkle brighter than the sea. ‘I’ve got you.’
So he keeps saying.
I drop the towel tucked beneath my arm and Ronan pointedly eyes my lingerie. ‘Lose it. Fair is fair.’
Our eyes remain locked as I reach to unclip my bra. As it falls to the rocks below, Ronan let’s out a low whistle of appreciation. ‘Fuck, Savannah, you are so fucking beautiful.’
His praise and the low gritty tones of his voice give methe courage to drop my panties. They slide downwards across my thighs, and I kick them aside.
Before I can overthink it, I take the hands he’s extending and allow him to help me in.
The initial plunge is like a shock therapy session sponsored by the North Atlantic. The water is cold enough to double as a walk-in freezer. My squeal is probably audible in Dublin.
‘Ahhh! Liar! It’s fucking freezing!’ I yell at Ronan, who’s laughing so hard he almost chokes on his own tongue.
‘It’s only freezing for a minute. When you get used to it, it’s magnificent.’ He reaches for my waist and pulls my body flush against his.
Goosebumps gather at a speed that could break records, then agonisingly slowly, my body begins to acclimatise to the elements. Just when I’m about to retreat, something miraculous happens. The euphoria kicks in.
The shock mellows into an icy embrace that leaves me momentarily breathless.
Ronan’s hot body against mine only propels the goosebumps further. My nipples are like bullets.
I’m in the sea!
Okay, it’s a salt water tidal pool, but still, Savannah Kingsley, known by her fathers and friends for her fear of water, is in the actual fucking sea!
A colossal sense of achievement erases all my fears. My teeth are chattering to their own jig, but the laughter bubbling in my chest is uncontrollable.
