She glowered, her eyes sharp as daggers.
A grin stretched across my face.“Look at the fish,” I said, pointing to the water’s surface, hoping to distract her with the small minnows that were gathering to greet us.
She looked down, noticing the silver flash of their scales, gathering and nipping at our skin. Though she remained silent, there was a spark of amusement in her eyes as her hand darted after a group of them beneath the surface.
I reached out, intending to block the minnows from escaping her grasp. Her hand brushed against mine, and I took it without thought, turning her palm until our fingers intertwined. Her rum-colored eyes met mine, and her hand squeezed back reflexively.
We’d developed this innate pull toward one another ever since our return. Whenever I reached out a hand, her hand met mine with nary a glance; whenever I leaned into her, she leaned back as though pulled in by gravity. It felt intuitive.
“Breathe,” I repeated.
She nodded. One breath in, one breath out, over and over.
I didn’t want to break our stare-off, but I glanced at my watch again.“Ten seconds,” I confirmed.
She squeezed her eyes shut and whispered the countdown, her voice trembling but her hand steadfast in mine.“Three... two... one...” She shot up, releasing my grasp and drawing in a sharp breath.
I watched her rise from the water, rivulets streaming down her dark, soaked shirt and clinging to her every curve. It was a fleeting glimpse; there and gone as she spun and sprinted towards the bank, then immediately uphill.
I remained frozen, a touch mesmerized, taking in the sway of her hips and the curve of her backside as it moved with her exertion. She had a stunning physique, ample and toned, with a perfectly proportioned figure that fit against mine as if she were made for me.
A raw, instinctual desire surged within me to pursue her, to track her down and claim her, but I suppressed it, rising instead with measured steps forward. Composing myself, I collected the robes and followed in her wake, striving to keep my feelings in check, as I always did. Control.
Entering the shed, I found her already lowering into the tub, having first dipped her muddy feet in the bucket we’d placed beside it to clean off the sand. I moved in without haste, cleaning the mud off my own feet before setting the robes on a bench and stepping into the tub between her legs. I sat down slowly on purpose, crowding her space and forcing her to watch me.
Her cheeks grew rosy as I settled opposite her. I didn’t miss the way her eyes traced the bulge at the front of my wet briefs, like she did back in New York. She was returning to me, and letting herself live again, letting herself know me and want me.
The hot water stung at first, but the discomfort felt punishing in a good way. The stock tank was plenty big for both of us, though a good amount of water sloshed out onto the ground as we settled in. Soon, the surface of the water settled to a near glasslike calm.
She leaned her head back, water up to her chest, her shirt floating lazily around her like a tease. Her eyes were closed, and I let my gaze drift down the column of her slender neck. I reached for her feet and shifted them between my legs, gathering her heels together until they rested on my chest. I rubbed lazy circles over her arches.
Being in the presence of a woman like her felt surreal. I’d spent so much of my life lost in my imagination, but even my wildest dreams couldn’t compare to this. I could only imagine how soft a woman’s skin could feel, but hers was like butter. Obsession was an understatement.
She lifted her hand from the edge of the tub, delicately pinching her nose with her fingers. Taking a breath and sealing her lips, she slid down and forward, submerging her head underwater. Bubbles surfaced as she released her breath and emerged a moment later.
She smoothed her hair back, sliding her feet from my grasp before turning around. Shifting back, she eased her butt between my legs, reclining until the back of her head lay against my chest.Her warm hair chased away the chill on my exposed skin.
I stopped breathing, afraid she might vanish if I exhaled. My arms rest on the edge of the tub, unsure of where else to place them. What was happening to the brave and forward version of me? I felt like a nervous fool.
She stretched out her arms, placing her bath-warmed hands on mine. She laced our fingers and guided them into the water and around her. With a hum of contentment, she then turned onto her side and pulled her knees toward her chest to snuggle close. Her ear rested against my skin; I’m sure hearing every one of my racing heartbeats.
Flexing my arms around her, I relished the embrace she allowed. My thumb lazily traced the skin on her arm. I wanted to stay like this forever.
A soft, contented sigh escaped her.“I never thanked you, by the way,” she whispered.
I hummed, completely immersed in the moment, tilting my head back against the rim of the tank and looking at the fairy lights overhead.“Oh yeah? For what?”
Her hand traced a path up my forearm.“Getting me out of New York. I think I’m finally seeing how fortunate I was to have you. If it weren’t for you being there, I don’t think I’d exist right now.”
I glanced from the ceiling to the crown of her head before burying my nose in her hair.“I’m sorry for everything, Buttercup,” I murmured, my voice muffled.“I’m sorry for not making this easier.”
“But you’re not sorry you met me, right? Even if I am a bit of a pain in the ass?”
A chuckle escaped me.“You’re a pistol. That’s for sure.” I could feel her grin against my skin.
“You like it,” she stated as if it were a fact.
I didn’t reply, but it wastrue.After years of mediocrity and repetition, she was exactly what I needed. I’d be content if being her friend and holding each other like this was all we ever did for the rest of our lives. And though a very significant part of me desired more, this was perfect for now. There was still a lot of lingering apprehension to overcome before we took that next step.
