“Want to watch me first?”

Olivia nods, so when one comes, I paddle up and hop into position, riding the wave near to the shore before paddling back to her.

“Ready?”

She bites her lip. “Yes.”

When a wave comes up, I tell her to take it, and she does, hopping into place, wobbling a little bit, but riding it halfway in before tumbling. I wait for her to resurface, and she’s smart, waiting for the force to pass before popping back up.

I hoot at her, and she turns to me with a grin, red hair splattering her forehead and round cheeks. Beautiful.

She paddles back out, and we spend the next hour riding the waves before we tromp out to eat a small lunch. Shawna andTy join us after playing in the water. Him tossing her into the deeper part of the water in different forms—flips, cannonballs, flies. Shawna has great form. I can see the Olympic swimmer in her.

Olivia’s comfortable in the water too, and that makes me happy. I love the water. Almost as much as I loved being on the soccer field as a youth. Until I got injured.

We peel the tops of our suits off to eat before I help her struggle out of it completely. She’s giggling on her back as I tug the last few inches off and remove mine.

Shawna leans in beside her, whispering something I can’t hear that renews both of their laughter.

I plop down beside Olivia, and she turns to me, rolling onto her stomach, wet hair gathered at the nape of her neck. Those green eyes fill with mirth as she blinks long lashes up at me. “That was fun.”

Leaning in, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Want to go back in for a swim?”

She nods enthusiastically.

I swat her wet ass with a resoundingsmackand watch her blush spread down her throat and to her ears. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she likes that. I give her a boost up and chase her into the water.

Her skin is slippery when I catch her before she escapes again. It sends us in circles before I snatch her up by the ankle and tow her into me. Olivia doesn’t hesitate to wrap her legs around my waist and let me hold her close in my lap, keeping us shoulder deep in the water.

“You did well on the board.” I nuzzle her neck, desperately wishing we were alone. Or at least without her friends, because then I could be sure no one is looking too closely at what I’m doing with Olivia.

What I would be doing with her given how an easy tug on her bottoms means full access to her core. Instead, I draw my touch across the lines her suit creates across her skin, up her thigh and hip to her ass.

“You are being naughty, Professor Salazar.”

“Oof, you wound me by using that name.”

But she’s grinning, and I’m smiling back. Such a flirt. I love every second of it.

Olivia leans in to whisper in my ear, her mouth brushing the lobe seductively. “Not interested in a little role-play? Or is that more taboo since you truly are my professor and I’m your student?”

My hands grip her harder as I suck in a breath. “I’m both interested and not bothered by the taboo of it.”

Her laughter tightens and twists the need inside of me, and if I’m not careful, I’ll be sporting a woody when we climb out of the water. Still, I can’t help but play with the strap of her top, running my fingers under the cups, thumb grazing her hard nipples.

“Mmm. I bet you would take me right here if you could.” Her thighs squeeze around my waist with purpose.

“You have no idea the things I would do to you, Liv. Not a fucking clue.” I give her another nuzzle, a nibble under her ear.

Because no matter where we are, I’m reminded how sexy she is. How she makes the space for herself that others don’t want to give. She doesn’t apologize for it.

That’s why the way her hand runs through my hair makes even more space for her in the spot open and waiting for her to agree to fill. Her other hand smooths over my back, shoulder, chest, abs.

“I’m not going to be able to walk out of this water for a good long while with the way you’re touching me.”

Her soft giggle only makes it worse. “I like the way your skin feels. So hot.”

I groan into her shoulder and break myself from this cycle before I do, indeed, get too carried away. I step us deeper into the water and swing her around. The laughter and silly fun doesn’t dim my attraction to her one bit, but it staves off the physical reactions enough that we can walk back to the towels and blanket and Olivia’s friends.