Page 135 of My Real Love Affair

“Hmm. I’ve had some practice recently.”

After we were both sufficiently protected from the sun, we moved out of the shade to soak up some warmth. The water was beckoning.

I watched Melody wade into the crystal-clear water. She’d pulled her hair up into a messy bun, and the sight of her neck exposed like that did something to me.

She turned back, water lapping at her thighs. “Are you coming or what?”

“Just admiring the view.”

She rolled her eyes but was grinning. “Get in here, Bancroft.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I jogged into the water. The temperature was warm enough to be comfortable but cool enough to be refreshing.

When I reached Melody, she splashed me.

“Oh, that’s how we’re playing?” I asked.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” But she was already backing away, that mischievous look on her face.

I dove under the water, swimming toward her. When I surfaced, she shrieked and tried to run, but the water slowed her down. I caught her around the waist, lifting her off her feet.

“Austin!” She was laughing, kicking her legs. “Put me down!”

“As you wish.” I dropped her into the water.

She came up sputtering, hair plastered to her face, and I knew I was in trouble. But before I could escape, she launched herself at me, trying to dunk me under.

I let her think she had a chance, then wrapped my arms around her and fell backward, taking us both under the surface.

We came up tangled together, laughing and gasping for air. Her arms were around my neck, her legs wrapped around my waist, and suddenly the playfulness shifted into something else. Something heated.

“Hi,” she said breathlessly.

“Hi yourself.”

She kissed me, salty water on our lips, the sun warm on our backs. I held her tighter, never wanting to let go. This was what I had been missing my entire life. Not the money or the yachts or the luxury. Just this feeling of being completely, utterly happy with someone.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathing hard.

God, she was beautiful.

We floated like that for a while, bodies tangled, hearts hammering, bobbing up and down in the water without a care in the world. Her lashes were clumped, her lipstick long gone, and still she looked absolutely gorgeous. I loved that she was willing to get soaked and sandy and not care that her makeup was ruined, not that she had put much on.

That was new. Most women I had entertained on beaches stayed pristine, perched under umbrellas, worried about hair and makeup and tan lines. Melody dove in like the ocean had personally invited her.

After staying in so long I was sure my toes were prunes, we walked out of the water and flopped onto our towels directly under the sun. I found myself just watching her. The way the sun caught in her hair. The way she smiled at nothing. The peaceful expression on her face.

“You’re staring,” she said without opening her eyes.

“Can’t help it. You’re beautiful.”

“You’re biased.”

“I’m honest.”

She turned her head to look at me. “You really think I’m beautiful?”

“Are you serious right now?”