“My mother lived hard.”I smiled up at him.“I think once she got me out of high school and knew I had a full ride to Vanderbilt, she didn’t care anymore.I never saw her again.”
“So now you teach little ones.”
I smiled.“Yeah.I do.”
“You love it,” he observed.
“More than anything,” I admitted.“Those kids… they’re why I get up every morning.”
We fell silent, watching the water cascade down the cliff face, the hypnotic pattern of ripples spreading across the pool’s surface.The air had warmed considerably, and I was uncomfortably aware of how my T-shirt clung to my skin from the hike.
“We should swim,” Oktober said suddenly, his eyes reflecting the blue of the water.“Best way to cool off.”
I glanced at the inviting pool, then back at him.“I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”
His grin turned wicked.“Neither did I.”
Before I could respond, he stood and pulled his shirt over his head in one smooth motion, tossing it aside.The sight of his bare, tanned skin stretched over defined muscle and intricate tattoos made my mouth go dry.
“Coming?”he asked, his hands moving to the button of his jeans.
I stood, suddenly self-conscious but unwilling to show it.“Why not?”
I pulled my own shirt off, aware of his eyes tracking the movement, lingering on the simple cotton bra beneath.His gaze felt like a physical touch, raising goose bumps along my exposed skin.I shimmied out of my jeans, leaving me in just my underwear.
Oktober had stripped down to black boxer briefs that left little to the imagination.His eyes traveled the length of my body with frank appreciation, and I found myself returning the favor, noting the way his thighs corded with muscle, the flat plane of his stomach, the intriguing lines of ink that disappeared beneath the waistband of his underwear.We’d had sex and spent the night together, but I hadn’t had the chance to really appreciate how beautiful his body looked.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, mirroring my thoughts.The simple sincerity in his voice banished any remaining self-consciousness.
“Race you in?”I challenged, and before he could answer, I ran the few steps to the edge of the rock and launched myself into the crystal pool.
The deceptively deep and very cold water shocked my overheated skin, driving the breath from my lungs in a gasp as I surfaced.I pushed wet hair from my face just in time to see Oktober dive in, his body cutting cleanly through the water’s surface.He emerged with a shake of his head, droplets flying from his hair, like diamonds in the sunlight.
“Jesus, it’s freezing!”I laughed, treading water.
Oktober grinned, swimming closer with powerful strokes.“Good for the circulation,Kätzchen.”
I splashed water in his face.“Is that your expert medical opinion?”
His eyes narrowed playfully.“You’ve declared war,” he said, and lunged for me.
I shrieked, diving away, but he caught my ankle underwater, pulling me back.We wrestled in the cold water, splashing and ducking, his hands grasping for me while I slipped away like an eel.Our laughter echoed off the rocks, mingling with the constant rush of the waterfall.Each time he caught me, his touch lingered a little longer, his grip a little more possessive.
During one escape attempt, I dove deeper, swimming beneath him.As I surfaced behind him, I wrapped my arms around his neck from behind, pressing my body against his back.
“Caught you,” I whispered in his ear.
Oktober went still.Then, in one fluid motion, he twisted in my arms until we were face-to-face, his strong legs kicking to keep us afloat.His expression had shifted, playfulness giving way to something darker, more intense.And so lust-filled he took my breath.
“Ja,” he said, his voice low.“You absolutely caught me.”
His mouth found mine, cold lips warming instantly as we kissed.I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he moved us toward the waterfall, until my back pressed against smooth rock.The position allowed him to stop swimming and focus entirely on me, sliding his hands up my sides to cup my breasts through the wet cotton of my bra.
I gasped against his mouth as he brushed his thumbs over my hardened nipples.The contrast between the cold water and his hot touch sent electric currents racing along my nerve endings.When he pushed the fabric aside to take one nipple between his lips, I arched against him, my head falling back against the rock.
“Oktober,” I breathed, my fingers tangling in his wet hair.
“You like my touch,Kätzchen,” he murmured against my skin, moving us deeper behind the curtain of falling water where a narrow ledge provided footing.
