My heart lurches into my throat. I look down at myself.
I start to wade toward the shore, my hands instinctively moving to cover myself because my chemise is soaked through. There is no time for modesty.
“We have to hurry,” Julienne says in a rush. “You’ll never make it back to the cabin and down into the hiding place before they arrive,” she whispers.
“What do we do?” I whisper back, panic rising in my chest.
“You need to hide here. In the water.” Julienne points to a thick patch of reeds growing near the edge of the pool. “Both of you. Go in there. There’s an open part deep in the thick section. Crouch down low and stay absolutely silent. I’ll handle whoever’s coming. Take her clothes.” Julienne points at my costume on the ground.
Sebastian picks it up, crushing it in his hand, and then he looks at me, and our eyes lock. After a beat, he wades into the water, making straight for me. For just a moment or two, I forget about the danger closing in.
Heat flares inside me despite the chill of the water. Despite the danger. Despite everything.
I hate how affected I am by him.
I should hate him, but I don’t.
15
Sebastian
I turn back as I wade deeper into the cold water, my eyes finding Julienne on the shore.
“You need to erase our tracks,” I say in a hushed tone, gesturing to the mud at the river’s edge.
She nods quickly, already moving. “I’ll take care of it. Just hide. Quickly!”
I turn and push through the water toward the thick patch of reeds Julienne pointed out. The water rises to just over my hips and is shockingly cold against my bare skin.
From the soft splash of her movements, I know that Isla is right behind me. Her breath comes in soft pants.
I glance back and immediately regret it.
Her wet chemise clings to her like a second skin. The thin white fabric has gone transparent in the water. My eyes are drawn to the swell of her full breasts, the dark peaks of her nipples now tight from the cold. To the indent of her waist. And the flare of her hips.
Her wet hair streams down her back in golden waves, water droplets catching the morning light like diamonds.
Kakara help me.
My belly tightens. Responding in ways I don’t want or need. Not right now. Not ever!
I tear my eyes away from her and push forward into the reeds. The thick stalks close around me, providing cover. I move deeper.
There is a small gap in the dense growth, just as Julienne described. It’s barely big enough for two people. I hold open a thicker section of the reeds so that Isla can pass.
We duck into the open space, dropping low. The water comes up to my stomach. The reeds form a living wall around us, blocking us from view.
Isla is in the small space next to me. Our bodies press together. There’s no way to avoid it. I put an arm around her because there is just not enough space. We need to keep very still.
Her skin is warm despite the cold water. She moves a little closer, brushing her breasts against my chest. Her hard nipples graze my skin, and I have to bite back a groan.
Why me?
I grit my teeth.
She’s shaking. Whether from cold or fear, I’m not sure. Probably a bit of both.
I try to create distance, to shift away, but there’s nowhere to go. The space is too small. We’re wedged together.
