‘You’re still independent, no matter what your relationship status is. You’re the smartest, sassiest, sexiest woman I know. I’ll never hinder your growth. I’ll support you in everything you do.’
‘I know.’ Her tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip as her fingers disentangle from mine to drift over the planes of my chest, settling over my heart. ‘And that’s why I love you.’
My triumphant smile moulds against Savannah’s mouth as her legs wrap around my waist.
Chapter Thirty-Five
SAVANNAH
I’ve thought about this place more times than I can remember, but in my hazy traumatised memories, the water was always darker, the isolation sinister instead of serene. It’s nothing like the child-sized me remembered. I’m ecstatic Ronan thought to bring me back.
Whenever I summon a picture of this lake, it’ll be an image from today. One of happiness, joy, and fun in the sun.
This is the day I faced my fears. The fear of the lake, and the fear of shedding my old identity.
The fallout from my email could be colossal.
But losing Ronan would be worse.
We splash around for a while. Ronan adopts his bossy teacher persona and insists we swim a couple of lengths.
‘Here,’ I beckon him towards the lakeside, where my phone is lying on the dewy grass.
Ronan glances at the phone, then at me. ‘You want me to pose with you?’
‘Yep.’ I wade through the shallows and snatch it up, careful not to drop it into the water.
‘I absolutely hate the camera. I never willingly get in front of one. Worst invention ever.’ A sly smile crooks his lips.
‘You would say that, given how many times you’ve been papped in compromising positions.’ I poke my tongue out at him.
‘I was only passing the time until I could convince you to take me up on one of my filthy offers.’ He slips an arm around me. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t apologise. We all have a past. I’m not exactly proud of mine either.’ An image of Finn’s wife forces itself to the forefront of my mind. I had no idea she existed, but that doesn’t stop me feeling bad for sleeping with her husband.
‘Come on then.’ Ronan tilts his head towards mine. ‘One for the wank bank?’
‘No. It’s for Instagram. Let’s do this.’
‘Seriously?’
‘No point ripping off half the plaster.’ I shrug. ‘Besides, the brand ambassador for Coral Chic is supposed to endorse their products.’ I run a hand over the gorgeous new bikini I’m wearing and shimmy closer to Ronan.
‘Damn you look hot in that Lycra, but it would look better on the floor.’ Ronan’s hand grabs my ass beneath the water, and I squeal.
‘Smile and try not to look like you’re groping your student.’ I snap images from several angles before scrolling back through them.
To the naked eye, we aren’t touching, but the chemistry between us is palpable. Probably because Ronan’s fingers are inching over my bikini bottoms in a way that has heating pooling between my legs.
Despite the uncertainty around my career and my brand, my smile is brighter than it’s been in years. My eyes are glowing with happiness. My skin is radiant, a fact that can only be attributed to multiple daily orgasms.
Ronan towers over me like the cat who got the cream, and even though his hand can’t be seen, his face says he’s up to the best type of badness.
‘Are you really going to post that?’ His fingers slip inside my bikini bottoms, tracing the curve of my ass.
‘Do you mind if I do?’ I open the Instagram app, hovering over the upload button.
‘Do I mind?’ His tone is incredulous. ‘Baby, I’ve wanted to claim you as mine from the second you smashed up my car.’
