Page 46 of Magic Touch
My bottom sinks, but I wave frantically and my hips lift.
"Slow down," he commands.
I do, and I float in one spot. The stars wink down at me, and the moon smiles in approval. "I'm floating."
"You're doing wonderfully." His tone is calm and sure. "Now, lift your head and drop your feet, but keep waving your hands just as you are."
I ease up and let my feet drop. No bottom! My head goes under, and I swallow water. An instant later, William lifts me.
Coughing up the water in my lungs, I feel his legs working under the water.
I kick out and catch his shin.
"Ouch." He grins
"Sorry." I slap at the surface.
"Move your feet back and forth in opposite directions and keep moving your arms through the water." His voice is so calm even as my heart is thrumming loudly in my ears.
It takes me a few minutes before I understand what he means. Suddenly, I'm afloat, and William releases me. "I'm doing it."
"You are. Quite well, too." He backs away.
The gap between us steadily grows. "How do I follow?"
"Push the water in the opposite direction you wish to move."
Inch by slow inch, I'm swimming. My lungs are screaming, and my arms and legs ache. "Perhaps I had better return to dry land before my energy runs out."
He swims in front of me and closes the distance. "I'll take you back. Put your arms around my neck and relax."
Once I do, he eases to his back with me riding him like a raft. Then, using only his arms, he floats us back to where I can reach the bottom. "I'm very proud of you, Esme. You did brilliantly."
My cheeks heat as I climb the bank to where my night rail lays waiting. I pull it over my head and sit. "Thank you. You are a fine teacher."
William drags on his breeches and sits beside me. "Will you let me take you to bed now?"
I'm trying to catch my breath. My arms and legs feel as if they've been weighted down with sacks of grain. "I shall not tell you no."
Cocking his head, he smiles. "How about if I save the tasting every inch of you for another time and just carry you to your bed and hold you until I must return to my own room?"
"That sounds divine."
Once I'm in his arms, he carries me across the yard. "I like knowing what's in your head, but I do wish I could turn it off. I feel I'm invading your privacy."
Cupping his cheek, I wish I could hold all of him at once and give him comfort. I look at him as he brings us inside and to my room. Once on my feet, I pull off the damp night rail and toss it over the back of the chair. "You will learn to turn it off, and for now, I need no privacy."
He takes his clothes off and places them next to mine on the chair before laying in my bed.
I slip in beside him as a cool breeze flits through the window. "I think the weather is turning. Perhaps we won't need to swim to bear the heat."
Kissing my forehead, he sighs. "What a shame."
Hands on his chest, I rest my chin on them to look at my William. "You really are the most handsome man I've ever seen. How have you avoided the debutantes of your circle for so long?"
His hold around my waist tightens. "I thought you were tired."
"Suddenly coy, William? Have you been married, or are you engaged?" My curiosity is most definitely piqued.
