She doesn’t notice me soaking her in, though. Of course she doesn’t. She’s too innocent.
She pushes wet hair from her face and cocks her head in my direction. “Speaking of naughty, why didn’t you tell me about today’s party?”
I go back to maintaining eye contact, refusing to let my gaze drop to where the water laps gently against her collarbone.
The question catches me off guard, making me wonder why she asks. Does she feel bad that she wasn’t invited? Does she want me to invite her to such things? “You were visiting your brothers. I didn't want to interrupt your family time.”
“Oh, Agafon,” she sighs. Hearing my name on her lips with such gentleness is my undoing. “You’re my family, too.”
I shrug. “We have an agreement.”
“Well, maybe the arrangement needs adjusting.” She moves closer, her legs occasionally brushing against mine from the force of the water. Each touch sends electricity through my body. “Your family is my family now, isn't that how this works?”
I frown. “Okay…”
“What I’m saying is, let me know. I’ll make the decision on how to juggle things around. Besides, the more the merrier, right? Now, I’m almost sad.”
“Sad?” I inquire.
“Yes, sad!” Her smile is all innocence, but there's a glint in her eye that's pure mischief. “Had you told me earlier, I would have been here from the start and joined my siblings for dinnerinstead. A whole day and night of drinking? Sign me up!” She swims closer and playfully smacks my chest.
But she doesn’t swim away. She knows exactly what she's doing to me. This sunshine personality hides a streak of deviousness that I'm beginning to appreciate more than I should.
“You’re quite the party animal, aren’t you?” I say hoarsely, allowing my gaze to finally drift downward, taking in the curves barely concealed by the water.
Her cheeks flush, but she doesn't swim back. Rather, she inches closer. “Oh, I have quite the endurance.”
Her breath tickles my neck just as someone accidentally pushes into me, forcing me closer to her. To stop myself from losing balance, I grip her waist, and her eyes widen momentarily. Then, to my surprise and agony, she slides her hands around my neck.
The water between us feels charged, as though someone has dropped a live wire into the pool. We've circled each other for days now since that explosive kiss. But here, suspended in water, the tension that's been building threatens to snap.
Her pupils dilate as I meet her gaze, her breathing quickening visibly. Beneath the water, my hand moves of its own accord, fingers extending toward the soft curve of her waist.
“Agafon,” she whispers, my name on her lips sounding like a plea.
We're close enough now that I can feel her breath against my face. Her eyes drift shut, her body seeming to sway toward mine despite the water's resistance. My fingertips brush against her skin underwater, just at the edge of her bikini bottom, and I feel her shiver.
One more inch and I could taste her lips. One more moment and my hand could slip beneath that bottom fabric to explore the softness I’ve been dying to feel. My body feels a need so acute it borders on pain.
A high-pitched squeal cuts through the moment, followed by a chorus of children's laughter from the shallow end. The sound jerks me back to awareness. We're at a family gathering. In broad daylight. Surrounded by my siblings, their children, and God knows who else watching from the patio.
I pull back abruptly, creating distance between us. Lilibeth's eyes flutter open, confusion and disappointment flashing across her features before she composes herself.
“The children need to be checked on,” I say in a dry tone, giving away the itch I feel.
“Of course,” she murmurs, her eyes searching mine. I nod and swim away, as fast as I can, as far as I can go.
It’s only to check on the children, I tell myself. I’m not disappointed that we were interrupted. I’m not frustrated that I didn’t get to taste her lips and explore her body and put the ache between my legs to rest.
I’m not.
Or so I tell myself.
Chapter 13 - Lilibeth
The morning after Bogdan’s party, I find myself nursing a hangover with lemonade and breakfast. I’m in the dining hall when Agafon walks in.
I’m surprised to see him here since he normally doesn’t join for breakfast, and I direct a weak smile in his direction. My smile must have come across as more of a grimace, for he chuckles.
