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He launched them off the ledge. They swung out and up. Elizabeth clung to him and cried out, stomach pitching and happiness filling her. She giggled like she never had as a child. Hays let go of the handle and wrapped his hands around both of her legs, somehow angling their bodies straight down at the water.
She heard Easton whoop as they plunged into the cold water. It was every bit as cold as Jacey and Cade’s lake had been, but the sun was shining and this time she didn’t have to be without her Superman for a moment. They only sank for a few moments, then Hays’s strong legs kicked and they rose to the surface. Breaking through the water, she gasped in the warmer outside air.
“Yes!” Easton called out.
Hays released his grip on her legs and swung her around so she was pressed against his chest. He treaded water with his legs and one hand, the other arm securing her against him. She clung to his broad back, catching her breath and blinking water out of her eyes. Being pressed close to Hays was more thrilling than any adventure.
“Did you like it?” he asked.
“I loved it.”
“Do you want to go on your own next time?”
“Now why would I do that when my Superman can hold me?” she asked, winking at him.
“Hooyah,” Hays called out, the look in his dark eyes meaningful.
Elizabeth was letting down her guard. It wasn’t smart as her father’s men could find them at any moment, but those fears were far removed with Hays holding her close.
“Hooyah,” Easton repeated. “That was clutch! Let’s do it again.”
Hays swam her to the edge and helped her out of the water. They did the rope swing three more times. She went on her own once. It was fun, but nothing was as exhilarating as clinging to Hays’s back as they swung over the water and plunged in together. She wanted to plunge with him, cling to him, for the rest of her life. The darkness and depravity of her life made that impossible. Enjoying these moments was the only choice she had.
An hour later, they sat on the bank of the lake for a few minutes, enjoying the sunshine and drying off a bit. Elizabeth was dirty, mud and grass clinging to her outfit and legs. She was out of her element and in horrific danger, yet she’d never felt so relaxed, free, and happy. It was all thanks to this specimen of a man who she’d loved all her life. Why had he never married? Had he never moved on from her either? If only they could someday be together. But that would never be fair to him.
Hays reached over and squeezed her hand. “Knock knock.”
“Who’s there?”
“Tank.”
He’d used this one on her before, but she played along. “Tank who?”
“You’re welcome.” His grin was enticing.
“How’d you guess I wanted to thank you?”
“That look in your gorgeous blue eyes.”
“Do you believe I’ll thank you after you kiss me?” she asked, shocking herself at her boldness. She shouldn’t have let down her guard like that.
“Definitely.” His eyes deepened with a smolder that filled her with heat. He eased closer. Elizabeth wanted to savor every aspect of Hays. Especially kissing him. It wasn’t fair to him, but at the moment she was as selfish as she’d ever been. She leaned up to meet his lips.
“All right. I feel like the most awkward third wheel here,” Easton drawled out.
“Apologies, my friend,” Hays said easily. “I lose my mind when Liz is close.”
“No apology necessary. If Elizabeth Oliver looked at me like she does you, I’d make anybody awkward who was stupid enough to tag along with us.”
They both laughed.
“You’re our guide, not tagging along,” Elizabeth said.
“Not much better.” Easton jumped to his feet, then told Hays, “I want to see you swim up the river.”
“Let’s do it.” Hays stood and helped Elizabeth up. They slid their shoes back on. Hays and Easton both strapped on their pistols and slid knives and cell phones back into their pockets. Elizabeth’s feet were gritty against the Chaco sandals. How strange it felt to be dirty. She’d experienced loads of emotional discomfort and even some physical pain with how hard her personal trainers pushed her, but not dirt and gritty discomfort. She liked it. She felt like a normal, average person. A woman who could let herself fall in love with the most appealing man in the world.
Unfortunately that wasn’t true, but she wanted to feel all these feels in this safe, down-home atmosphere.
