Page 100 of Reluctant Chemistry
Floating to her feet, she felt his gaze, and she turned to watch him swimming toward her, the easy freestyle from before traded for breaststroke. As he drew closer, she swam to meet him. Her arms encircled his neck as she wrapped her legs around his waist. “Hey, Chopper Guy. You hungry?”
The urgency of his kiss took her by surprise. “Yep. Very hungry.” He bent down and sucked the curve above her collarbone as his hands cupped her breasts.
“Luka!”
He drew back, flashing her a huge grin. “What?”
“We’re on a public beach.”
He looked toward the shore, squinting against the setting sun. “And it looks like we have company.”
CeCe followed his line of sight to see Mitch and Tayla’s SUV pulling up beside the Kombi. When Tayla waved through the open car window, CeCe waved back.
She jumped onto Luka’s back as they waded into shore and whispered, “Guess that quickie in the Kombi will have to wait for another time.”
He burst out laughing. “Did you actually just say that, or am I dreaming?”
“You’re not dreaming.”
* * *
They stayed at the beach for a couple of hours, sharing food and stories with Mitch and Tayla. On the way home, they drove with the windows down, the breeze lifting Luka’s hair from his forehead, his foot tapping time to a Sam Smith song on the radio.
When CeCe stopped outside his front door and cut the engine, they both stared straight ahead, the sky still light in shades of pink and pearl gray along the horizon.
Knowing the ball was in his court, CeCe sat in silence as Luka turned to her. She didn’t want to leave but if he wanted her to stay, and she was almost certain he did, he had to offer the invitation.
He leaned over and brushed a kiss across her lips. Anunfinished businesskiss that teased and offered a gentle hint of suggestion. “Are you coming in for a nightcap?”
She smiled. “Do you have any whiskey?”
“Sure.”
“I feel like a whiskey right now for some reason.”
He nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
Luka held her hand as they took the wide steps to the front door. Despite the warmth of the evening, CeCe shivered as he unlocked it, and as he led her into the dark foyer and switched on the lamp, a sudden desire to slow things down surprised her.
He turned to her. “Ice?”
“Sorry?”
They reached the living room, his lazy smile warming her insides. “In your whiskey? Do you want ice?”
“Oh, yes. Thanks.” She looked around. In the corner, a Christmas tree sat in a hessian sack. Decorated in white, silver, and gold, it seemed almost too traditional for his taste. “Do you mind if I have a shower first? I’m all sandy.”
“What, alone?”
“If that’s okay?”
“Of course. Use my en suite. The towels on the rail are fresh.”
“Thanks. I’ll just grab some stuff from the van.”
While it would have been nice to shower with him, that could wait. After all, what was an epic love affair without anticipation? And just knowing that Luka was in the kitchen, pouring her a whiskey over ice as he imagined her naked in his shower, made her ache for him with a strength that couldn’t be denied.
Taking her time, CeCe washed her hair and let the water soothe her. She thought of the whiskey waiting for her on the end table by the sofa, how a few sips would heighten her senses and loosen her inhibitions. Because now that she’d stepped up, even though they’d slept together only a few weeks before, she still felt a little apprehensive. Perhaps he did too.
