Page 71 of He Loves Me Knot
Her hand slipped into his. “I’ll guide you.”
This feels like trouble.
And not because he couldn’t see where he was going. But because each time he touched her, he wanted more.
Liddy’s hand tightened against his as she tugged him forward. “It’s an unobstructed path. You’ll be perfectly safe. I’ll just lead you over there and get in, and then you can get in after me.”
“Question.” He really shouldn’t ask, but she was making it impossible for him not to wonder, given her worries about being seen in a bikini.
“What?”
“Are you a virgin?”
Her fingertips reflexed, just slightly. “Um . . . no.”
“But you don’t like anyone to see you naked, right?” He was increasingly aware of her proximity, the softness of her hand against his.
“You’d be amazed at what you can do with the lights off.”
“So you’ve never let any man look at you?” They were closer to the hot springs now. He could feel it from the humidity that hung in the air, the sound of the rushing water drawing ever nearer.
“Callum Scott, these are not the sort of discussions you and I are supposed to have. You know I can turn the tables—like...ask you your favorite position. If you like lots of foreplay or just jumping each other?—”
“Hot and heavy is infinitely preferable because it usually means foreplay isn’t necessary.”
Liddy paused mid-step, which caused a break in their hand holding. “Wait, Callum?—”
But it was too late. He’d already stepped from the path, straight into the blazing hot water. The temperature would have been tolerable, but he was unprepared for a sudden dousing, and his foot slipped against a rock as he went tumbling into the shallow pool with a splash.
Oh, fuck me.
Callum tried to keep water out of his nose by blowing out, his eyes popping open almost involuntarily. Bubbles surrounded his face as he came back up, dripping.
Liddy watched him, open-mouthed, from the nearby path, a mixture of horror and amusement in her expression. “Are you all right?”
Only a few people were in their vicinity, but he was certain he’d been seen falling into the water like a fool—if by no one else, by Liddy. He sat, knees popping out of the water, as he did a mental check. His hip was a little bruised, but otherwise, nothing felt abnormal. “I think I mostly smashed my dignity.”
Liddy laughed, and his gaze focused on her.
She’s . . . incredible.
And he absolutely hated anyone who had made her feel otherwise.
She caught his stare and gave him a scolding look as she rushed into the water. “You’re not supposed to be looking at me. You promised.”
“And you promised to lead me safely. Look where I am.” He gestured around him. “A completely inglorious entrance into a bloody hot spring.”
As she submerged herself, she scooted past him. Callum reached out and caught her hand. “Let’s go this way.”
He led her to the deeper part of the pool, then followed the water upstream, climbing over rocks to get farther away from other people.
Maybe it was the fact that they were in the hot springs, or perhaps it was because the resort was supposed to be a romantic getaway for couples, but the setting was idyllic. Public but intimate. They found a small pool that didn’t have room for more than the two of them, a cascade of water coming down black rock surrounded by lush green ferns, orange and red parrot flowers, and purple orchids. The beautiful part of Costa Rica he’d largely forgotten.
As they climbed in, they were only inches from each other.Inches from possibility.“Come here, you gorgeous woman.”
She turned toward him sharply, her eyes widening, and he pulled her closer, spreading her palm flat against his. His thumb stroked the inside of her palm, and she glanced down toward it, a blush spreading on her face. Her luscious lips were pink. Droplets of water dripped from her long, dark hair, cascading over her shoulder.
Electricity seemed to crackle through his fingertips as he touched her.