Page 30 of Love By The Falls

“You are?” I ask, incredulously.

“Everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime swimming in the ocean at night.”

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. I’m sure I’ll die peacefully one day not knowing what dark ocean water feels like.”

This time, he doesn’t hide his smile. “Do what you want, Charlotte. But I’m going in.”

He unbuttons the first button of his shirt, and his fingers move quickly to uncover the others. The moonlight hits his chest at the perfect angle that I swear he planned this moment.

Next, he unzips the front of his pants, and I nearly roll my eyes when I realize he isn’t wearing any briefs.

“Are you serious?”

“It’s hot and I’m wearing long pants. Besides, I wouldn’t mind if you wore no underwear one night. It would drive me crazy knowing you were naked beneath your flimsy clothes.”

Shockingly, I think about doing just that tomorrow night, but the distraction doesn’t last long as a naked Caleb is now standing in front of me.

God, he’s beautiful.

I swallow, but it’s difficult since my throat is quite dry. He’s barely been out in the sun since arriving, yet he has a tan-line. He probably vacations often or has a pool at home. Maybe he even lives in L.A. or some place warm.

With no other words to convince me, Caleb marches into the ocean, raises his arms above his head, arches forward and dives right in.

I jump back, avoiding the splash, and watch the water ripple toward me in a circular pattern. In the next moment, he breaks the surface, whipping his hair back and running his hands over his face to wipe away the water.

It's like watching a cologne commercial live.

Except there’s no one else here but us.

He swims forward, keeping his head up to look at me. “The water’s nice and warm, Charlotte.”

I dip a toe to the water’s edge and jump back. “Liar. No, it’s not.”

“It is if you dive in. I promise you.”

“I don’t believe you,” I shout as he swims away from me.

It’s dark all around us and suddenly I feel very alone on the shore.

I purse my lips, considering my options. I could wait here all by myself until Caleb returns. I could leave him here and go get a drink at the bar. Or I could take off my clothes and join him.

I shake my head. I can’t believe I’m considering the third option. But I don’t want to leave, and I don’t want to wait here alone.

I look around again, checking that there’s no one nearby. Quickly, I pull the sundress over my head, unhook my bra, and wiggle out of my panties all in less than three seconds. Crossing my arms over my chest, I run into the ocean.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I curse as I trample in. Caleb’s smile stretches across his face, and he dives forward, swimming quickly toward me.

Despite my anxiety, the water isn’t cold, it’s quite pleasant. I still have goosebumps all over, but that’s more from the breeze than the water.

I pull the hair tie from my wrist and wrap my hair in a topknot. Caleb reaches me and stands up quickly, splashing water onto my chest.

“I can’t believe you did it.”

My chest is heaving. “Neither can I.”

He places his large hand over my collarbone, and it covers nearly the top part of my chest. I shiver, but I’m not cold.

“Come,” he says and pulls me deeper into the sea. When the water becomes too deep, Caleb lifts me effortlessly and I wrap my legs around his waist. The water bobs at my breasts but I’m engrossed by the rivulets that stream down his temples and jaw.

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