Page 82 of Just a Plot Twist
Instead of going into the parking garage in the basement of the resort where we’re parked, Benson tugs on my hand, guiding me to the automatic double doors that lead out to a massive back patio and eventually the beach.
“I don’t want to make you walk, but I also don’t want to say goodbye yet,” Benson says, pulling me into a hug.
The sun is nearly set, the oranges and pinks now only a mere smudge across the darkened sky. “I’m feeling a bit lazy after all the fun you guys had. I hate my ankle right now.”
“Want to go lift some upper body weights in the workout room inside? They have state-of-the-art equipment.”
“No.” My tone is teasing, but I can’t help it. “For my ankle’s sake, we should…get in the water. Swimming can be helpful for sprained ankles.”
Desire soaks his gaze as he tugs me even closer. “A little night swim?”
I nod. “Just so my ankle can get better.”
We both know it’s not just for my ankle.
We take it slow, our feet sinking into the sand, holding hands. Once we reach the water, we pause, glancing at each other like,Are we sure about this?
“The water’s cold,” Benson warns.
“I grew up in Longdale, Benson. I’ve been in this water a hundred times. It’s frigid, but it’s great, I promise.”
In answer, he pulls his shirt off. The planes of his upper body cause me to stare, his shoulders and biceps rippling with the movement as he discards his shirt on the sand.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I whisk my sundress over my head and then tug down my black swimsuit, making sure both cheeks are sufficiently covered. It’s nearly dark out, but still. I’m not exactly excited about standing here in front of him like this.
I begin walking into the ice-cold water, not sure if I’m more uptight about the swimsuit look I’m rocking or my feelings for him. It only takes about ten steps for me to be submerged, and I can’t help the intake of breath at the temperature.
It iscold.
But just as I surface, there’s Benson, in the water by my side.
“You got right in, without hesitation,” he says. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I didn’t want to lose my nerve.”
He wraps an arm around my waist and then lifts his other hand to peel a strand of hair off my face. I shiver at his touch.
“Youarecold,” he says, his concerned gaze flitting over my face.
I shake my head. “If we keep moving, we’ll be fine. And maybe there are other reasons I’m shaking.”
“Yeah?” His voice is husky.
“You make it hard for me to breathe, Benson Kilpack.”
It’s his turn to shiver, his hands moving up and down my sides with a stutter breath.
His eyes ask for permission. I start to give a nod when he presses his lips against mine. Softly teasing me, coaxing me. Torturing me.
At first, I don’t even close my eyes. Which is weird, right? I mean, you’re supposed to close your eyes when you kiss. But I catch the tick of his jaw, his wild heartbeat rioting under his tanned skin, and it thrills me to my core.
I close my eyes against it because it’s a dangerous thrill.
Just thinking of the sight of his tightening jaw causes the chemicals in my blood to sit straight up and whisper,it’s him. This is it. This took so long because you had to wait forhim.
My legs tremble and yes, I’m cold. But I’m also hot to the core at the same time. It’s a feverish delirium of nothing but sensation. His teeth graze my bottom lip, so urgently gentle, like he’s telling me that he cares about me. He cares about how this is for me.
Over and over again, his lips pucker and tease, and when my legs finally give out, and he senses I’m sinking, his grip on me tightens with one arm. Then, the other one lifts me, his hand snaking down my leg, guiding it around his waist. The slosh of the water and the spray it causes awakens me.
