Page 56 of Love Off Course

“What was the deal?”

“I forgot already. Let’s swim.”

While I’m dazed by his sexiness, he squats and then tosses me over his shoulder. I go from hot and bothered to furious in an instant.

“Put me down, asshole!” I smack at his ridiculously hard ass. In return, he smacks mine. I squeal and kick to no avail. “You’re going to make me puke!”

My words are cut short when we go airborne. Panic seizes me a second before chilly water sucks me into its void. Before I can freak out, we break the surface of the water and Camilo is pulling me to his chest. His dark hair hangs in his eyes—dark eyes that assess me to make sure I’m okay. I’m pissed he dunked us in this lagoon, but I find myself wrapping my legs and arms around him. He grins his stupid, cocky smile that makes my heart patter faster.

“I hate you.”

He laughs loud and flicks his head back, sending his hair out of his eyes. God, that move shouldn’t be so hot, but it is. “Hate, huh? I still have the rest of the day to turn that into love.”

“You’re impossible.”

“I’ve been called worse. Mostly by you.”

I roll my eyes and then take in the scene around us. It’s a small lagoon about the size of a backyard swimming pool. I’m not sure how deep it goes, but it’s almost completely surrounded by rock. There’s a little inlet small creatures could swim into, but not even the waves can get through. The water moves back and forth but nothing like the waves beyond the protective rocks. Beautiful vegetation grows in the rock crevices. It feels like an oasis.

“It’s pretty here,” I murmur, bringing my attention back to Camilo, who’s staring at me intently.

“You have no idea.” His voice is gruff.

My stomach does a flip and I can’t help but cling tighter to him. His palms run up my back and then down again. Playfully, he squeezes my ass before swimming backward toward a rock ledge on the side. He pulls us onto it with me still straddling him. The water is cold, but his body is incredibly warm. I press my breasts against him, eager for his warmth.

“In love yet?” he teases.

“Close,” I joke back. I let out a heavy sigh. “Have you ever been in love?”

He frowns, shaking his head. “No. You?”

“I thought so, but now I don’t know.”

“David?”

We stare at each other for a long moment. I nod and absently run my fingers through his hair. His palms continue to roam up and down my back. I’ve never been held like this before. It’s strange, yet peaceful. My heart squeezes because I really like it.

Reality reminds me this is one last day of romance and fun.

Tomorrow I leave this all behind.

I leave him.

“It’s hard for me to connect with people,” I explain. “I have these walls up. All the time. I’m afraid of getting hurt, I guess. With David, he’s known me since I was little.”

He makes a disgusted face. “Nice.”

“It’s not like that,” I assure him. “He’s not a perv, but he knows a lot about me. Knows the me before I ever erected those walls. It’s easy to give myself to him because he already knows me. He already loves me.” But he’s not in love with me. David would do anything in his power to help me because of Daddy.

“Hmm.” His brows furrow as he studies me. “Easy sounds boring.”

A chuckle escapes me. “Maybe a little.”

“I’m not boring.” He flashes me a wicked grin that makes me melt.

“I know. You’re too difficult.”

The asshole preens.

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