Page 78 of Forever Fascinating

It was black with no ornate patterns except in the V-cut near the neckline that plunged low enough to be alarming, and where it was cut? There was black mesh to hide anything and keep everything together. There was a matching V-cut on the back that nearly ran to her waist, again, held together with mesh fabric to keep things from being indecent.

Walking down to the water, she saw Matthew standing there in waist-deep, watching her with this indescribable look on his face.

“Is it cold?”

“Not cold enough apparently,” he muttered, looking away. “No, it’s actually pretty nice to me.”

Stepping in, Jana realized it felt like pool water that hadn’t been warmed by the sun yet… but she’d swam in much colder water back home. The small waves lapped at her skin as she waded in to stand beside him.

“I thought you said your swimsuit was modest,” he strangled out.

“It is.”

“I c-can practically see y-your n-navel.”

“No, you can’t,” she burst out laughing at the way he stuttered and glanced at her quickly before turning away. “My belly button is here,” she said pointing. “And everything else is covered appropriately.”

“Are you going to b-burn… h-here?” he said, pointing at his own chest, nearly choking on the words.

“Nope,” she smiled softly, leaning over to kiss his shoulder. “But I am a huge fan of how you are reacting to me.”

“I can’t think,” he practically squawked, and she looked at him, stunned, realizing he was blushing.

“Matthew Barlow… are you blushing?”

“NO!” he balked, clearing his throat, and then spoke again. “No. Men do not blush.”

“Yes, they do,” she laughed sidling up beside him – only to see him leap away. “Oh my gosh… really?”

“Jana, you are… wow… and yeah, I can’t, because I can’t think right now. I mean, I can see everycurve, everyoutline, and…”

The poor man actually put one hand on his hip and the other on his brow, shutting his eyes, as if he was in pain or suffering. “I’m l-lightheaded and n-need my b-blood in my b-brain, not my p-pants.”

Jana threw back her head, roaring with laughter.

“It’s not f-funny…” he growled, glaring at her, before squeezing his eyes shut. “Oh, saint’s alive! Do you have to look so incredibly sexy? Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four…threeeee… two…”

“Does counting help?” she asked innocently, unable to wipe the smile from her face.

“Not in the slightest,” he muttered, taking a deep breath, glancing at her again, before staring off into the distance, concentrating, and he began counting again, emphatically. “TEN… NINE… EIGHT… SEVEN…”

Jana immediately sank down, feeling the shock of the cold water, and swam a few feet away, unable to help the surge of delight within her at his reaction. It made her feel so feminine, so womanly, to know she affected him so much by something so simple… only to feel something grab her ankle.

Letting out a yelp, she was immediately pulled back – directly into Matthew’s arms, as he kissed her passionately. His lips slid against hers, punctuated by the pungent saltwater, as he deepened the kiss between them, tasting her.

She stood there, held against him, and wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling his warm shoulders, before breaking the kiss.

“We are playing a reckless game, my love…” he breathed openly, pressing his forehead to hers.

“I’m playing for keeps… my love,” she whispered, touched by the endearment and the way he was slowly breaking down those walls between them, step-by-step.

“I sincerely hope so… and goodness that swimsuit is breathtaking on you,” he chuckled. “I thought my heart was going to stop in my chest when I saw you entering the water. Did I mention that I love a modest swimsuit because it lets my imagination run wild?”

“Does this mean you have a very active imagination, Lieutenant?” she whispered flirtatiously, leaning up to kiss his bottom lip, only to hear him groan aloud as he looked up at the sky above them.

“Very,” he whispered, sounding almost like he was in pain. “And you aren’t helping things.”

“Nope,” she smiled, laughing softly, taunting him gently and drawing an imaginary heart on his shoulder with her wet fingertip. “Maybe it’s because I want you to think of no one else, because you’re helplessly and completely infatuated with me?”

---