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The question had her hesitating. Why was she making such a big deal about this now? They’d already spent an amazing weekend together, wrapped in each other’s arms. How could another romantic evening make things worse?
But things had changed dramatically since that unforgettable weekend. With a baby on the way, they would be in each other’s lives forever and the thought of making that relationship even more complicated was the only thing holding Lea back from rushing into his arms.
“Or—” Xander’s voice drew her attention “—I can go alone. I’ll send help.”
Evening had settled over them. But it wasn’t that dark out, with the full moon reflecting off the water. She knew what she wanted, but did she have the courage to follow her heart?
As though Xander could sense her indecision, he stepped up to her. “Lea, it’s okay. I’m sorry this happened. I swear I didn’t plan it.”
“It’s not that.” Her insides shivered with nervous energy. For so long, she had been enforcing the rules, walking the straight line, and now she was considering living on the edge and following her desires. “Let’s go for it.”
The look of surprise lit up Xander’s eye. “Are you serious?”
She nodded. “I am.”
This time she was the one to pull off her shirt and toss it on the white leather seat next to Xander’s discarded shirt. When she glanced up, she caught him staring at her with his eyes rounded and his mouth gaping.
“What?” She refused to blush. They were both adults here. Consenting adults. “You surely didn’t think I was going to swim with all of my clothes on, did you?”
And besides, her bra covered more than her itty-bitty bikini. She didn’t tell him that. But she couldn’t resist glancing up at him as she shimmied out of her capris and stood there in her lacey boy-shorts undies. She heard a distinct hiss of breath from him. Playing the seductress was new for her and she was finding that she liked it.
“Last one to shore has to collect the firewood.” And with that she dove into the water. She didn’t look back as she planned to win this race.
The water, though warm as far as large bodies of water went, was still cold against her heated skin. She kept moving quickly through the water. The faster she moved, the warmer she got. And before she knew it, the water grew shallow and she stood up.
She glanced back to find Xander hot on her heels. She ran out of the water and didn’t stop until she was standing on dry sand.
She turned back to the water where Xander was getting to his feet. The moonlight caught upon a bag in Xander’s hand. What was that man up to now?
Guilt niggled at her conscience. She should have told him about the emergency radio. Just then a breeze whished past her body, leaving a trail of goose bumps over her skin. She shivered. She was beginning to think she was never going to get warm again.
Xander turned and retrieved the bag from the sand. “I don’t know if this is still dry.” He struggled with the knot in the bag. After a few seconds, he opened it.
He withdrew a large towel and draped it around her. “I thought you might want this.”
“Thank you. But what about you?”
“Don’t worry.” Xander wrapped his arms around her. “I know how to stay warm. I’ll just hold this very hot woman in my arms.”
“I don’t know about being hot. I feel more like a very cold fish.”
He tightened his hold on her, rubbing his hands over her back. “Definitely not fishy. I’m beginning to think you’re part mermaid.”
She lifted her chin so that their gazes met. “I take it you have a thing for mermaids.”
“I didn’t before, but with a little encouragement, I might change my mind.”
“Mm... And what sort of encouragement do you have in mind?” She snuggled closer to him, seeking the warmth of his body.
He lowered his head toward hers. “This kind.”
She tilted her chin upward. And then Xander pressed his mouth against hers. His lips were smooth and gentle. His touch sent an arrow of arousal through her core. Her insides immediately heated, warming her from the inside out.
And then all too soon, he pulled back. “I better get a fire started. It might be a little while until they get here.”
