The way he listened to me, hanging on to every word. I shook off the thoughts. I couldn’t take it any longer, so I took a deep breath and jumped in. I was ready to join him and have some fun.
We swam, played games, raced, and tried to outdo one another with goofy tricks. At one point, Colt flipped off a rock, and it did make me a little nervous that he could get hurt, but I knew neither of us backed down from a challenge. We splashed water on each other, fighting playfully. The water was acting as a barrier between my feelings for him, but every laugh and moment together made those feelings stronger. Our connection was still growing, and all I wanted was to know if he felt the same way I did.
After a while of swimming and goofing around, we floated on our backs. I watched the clouds for a moment, then closed my eyes before the sun started to hurt them. Listening to nothing but the sounds of the water was so peaceful and calming. I suddenly felt some movement, so I rose up.
“Do you think we’ll always come here?” I felt nostalgia and uncertainty. I wanted to forever continue coming back to this spot with Colt. I wanted to keep doing all the things with him that we have been doing over the years.
“I hope so. I really like this place.”
This spot was special, and I wanted to tell him how much he meant to me, but no other words came out.
“So do I.”
“I can’t imagine summer without you.”
? ? ?
“I dare you to swim to that rock over there.”
His face showed mischief, and his words proposed a challenge. I would never turn down a challenge. He pointed to alarge rock a few yards away. I nodded, accepting it.
I swam hard and fast to get to the rock, feeling the heaviness of the water against me as I moved. Colt was following behind me, not yet able to catch up to me, despite his efforts. When I reached the rock, I rose from the water a bit to see him finally catching up. Before I knew it, he was right beside me, his breath heavy.
“Not bad, darlin.”
I felt a blush on my cheeks. As he leaned closer, I could feel the tension building. The water rippled around us, and I knew something was about to unfold.
“We’re pretty secluded here.” The river was surrounded by trees that were currently swaying in the breeze.
“Yep. It’s just us and the fish.” With those words, he planted a kiss on my lips.
The kiss was soft and tender, mixing with the water to send a shiver down my spine. I softened against him, feeling the contrast of the cool water with the warmth of my insides. My hands found their way back to his hair, just where they seemed to be meant to be.
I wanted to lose myself in this moment.
I wanted to lose myself in him.
The world around us faded even more with each moment our bodies touched, and our lips met again. The sound of the water was a distant hum, and I felt weightless. I was surrounded by a sea of emotions. Colt wrapped his hands around my waist, my body pressed firmly against him. Every touch and every kiss felt like a promise that more was to come.
We pulled away for a moment, and I rested my forehead against his.
“Wow.” I covered my mouth with one hand, not realizing I said that out loud.
“You know, I could get used to this.” I smiled.
“Me, too.”
I pulled back and splashed some water his way, giggling as I did so. He splashed some back at me, and we were lost in our playful banter.
Eventually, we swam back to the edge of the river. As we climbed out of the water, I could feel the droplets against my skin. I looked at Colt, seeing how his body was glistening. He caught me staring and raised an eyebrow.
“You like what you see?” I jokingly pushed him. He closed the distance, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“I think you know the answer to that.” Before I could react, he pulled me in for another kiss, leaving me breathless.
We then packed up our things and headed to the truck.
“What’s next, cowboy?”
