“Tessa,” I murmur, “thanks for nursing my boo-boo earlier.”
She blushes, water droplets clinging to her lashes. "That's whatnurses do."
"Is it? Because I'm thinking about all the other things you could do to make me feel better."
I feel her fingers tighten against my shoulders. The water laps around us, warm and gentle, but the heat between us burns hotter than the summer air.
"Like what?" she whispers, and there's something bold in her voice that makes my blood surge.
Instead of answering with words, I let my hands do the talking. I slide one palm up her spine, feeling the water cascade between my fingers as I trace the elegant curve of her neck. My other hand finds the small of her back, pulling her closer until there's no space left between us.
The lake rocks us gently as I kiss her again, deeper this time. She tastes like summer mornings and possibility. Her legs wrap around my waist beneath the surface, and I groan against her mouth at the contact.
"You're playing with fire, Montgomery," I murmur against her lips.
"Maybe I like the heat," she whispers.
Her words send a jolt straight through me. I cup her face with both hands, thumbs brushing water droplets from her cheekbones as I study her eyes. They're dark with want, pupils dilated despite the bright morning sun.
"Girl, you’re setting me on fire while I’m floating in a lake. Guess we better take a little break … beach time. But first …”
My mouth finds hers again, hungrier now, less careful. She responds with equal intensity, her fingers threading through my wet hair, nails scraping lightly against my scalp. The sensation makes me shiver despite the warm water.
I break the kiss reluctantly, both of us breathing hard. "Come on," I say, scooping her up in my arms. She squeals and laughs as I carry her toward the shallow water near my privatebeach area.
The sand is soft beneath my feet as I set her down gently, water lapping at our ankles. She looks up at me, hair slicked back, skin glistening with droplets that catch the sunlight like diamonds.
Tessa is tearing me up.
Chapter 16
Tessa
We dry off in the sun, sitting on a couple of loungers. I’m truly at a loss for words and he must be as well. What would I tell him if I bared my soul? What would he tell me?
The strange thing is everything does feel natural — the kissing, the touching he did under the water. I don’t feel awkward about it. Hell no! I feel elated. I have crushed on this guy for years. And now, it feels like we’re something. I don’t know if I would call it ‘together’, but it’s something.
Liam leans back, sunglasses on, and looks up at the sky.
“Forecast says rain’s coming tomorrow. Two straight days of it.”
I glance at him. “Seriously?”
He nods, face relaxed. “Started thinking we could use a break anyway. That porch roof’s not getting done before the weather moves in.”
“You giving up already, coach?”
He grins. “I’m postponing. There’s a difference.”
I nudge him with my foot. “And what do you propose we do instead?”
He lifts an eyebrow. “I’ve got a pontoon boat, a cooler full of soda, and the last of some brownies I hid as my own private stash. But, I’d share with you.”
I blink. “Sounds like sugar bomb on the water fun!”
“We could pack sandwiches, spend the afternoon on the water. Get a little sun before it disappears.”
“You had me at brownies.”
