Chapter 5 #2
Even when my breath begins to lose steam, swimming up feels as though I’m leaving bricks at the bottom of the water.
Gasping for air, I’m met with Stone’s wry smile, and I know my own face must appear exhilarated. “That was…”
“What we needed,” he finishes my sentence.
“Do that often?” I wonder.
“All the time,” he states simply then snickers. “Actually never. Just thought it was a good idea.”
I splash water at him. “Seems like you are full of ideas. It will come to you—what to write, I mean.”
“I just needed some inspiration.” It barely escapes, and his jaw ticks, his eyes locked on mine.
That overwhelming air circles around us. “Turns out this retreat did what it was supposed to do,” I say softly.
“Yeah.” It’s delicate. Stone seems to realize he is lost in his gaze and shakes it off. “Gloria should be fired, though.”
I chuckle. “Probably.” I push the water around me with my arms. “As much as standing in a pool is fun. I believe we now have to head back to our rooms dripping wet.” His head recoils, and my eyes close from my choice of words. “That just happened again… sentences taken completely out of context.”
“It’s your intuitive thoughts. I’m just along for the ride.” His smug look signals victory before he begins to walk to the steps of the pool.
My head lolls to the side then bows down, as I enjoy our banter that it seems my soul needed.
“I guess I’ll change, and I think I want to write for a while. Ideas have kind of hit me.”
He grins even more as he leaves the pool. “I’m your muse. Don’t deny it.”
Yes, but I wish you weren’t.
He will forever cross my mind when I write scenes that I will now imagine involving him.
Following him out of the pool, he hands me a big fresh white towel from the shelf at the side for guests. We both pat our bodies, even though it’s pointless, as we’re soaked through.
Then it sputters out of my mouth. “Want to grab dinner later?”
A cheekiness ghosts his face. “I thought you’d never ask.”
It was actually difficult to grab a table at the Dizzy Duck Inn.
There is normally a waiting list, as the chef has won many awards.
Luckily, having a claim in the hotel has its benefits.
Throughout the meal, it felt like we talked about every hobby under the sun, our opinions landing on every opposite there could be.
We decided to skip dessert and instead grab a chocolate chip cookie from the front desk, usually reserved for evening turndown service, after Stone gave Stuart a strong glare.
I’ve noticed when Stone clashes with someone, then well…
it’s a strong conviction. The cookie travels to my mouth for a bite.
Probably an insult to the gourmet meal we just ate, but damn, those cookies are delicious.
Besides, we had no plans to turn down and needed some fuel as we opt to head out to the end of the dock.
The moment our feet hit the stone pathway outside that leads to the dock, I notice Stone hesitate.
I know exactly where his mind went. “It’s fine. I don’t mind night when I know where I am and there is no chance of any unwelcome surprises. Plus… I’m with you.”
The corners of his mouth tug from my answer. What feels right is interlinking our arms together as we walk, and I initiate that.
When we reach the water’s edge, with lit candles outlining the length of the dock, we both take in the night.
“Tomorrow, I leave.” I’m sad about it.
Stone sighs. “Figured we couldn’t keep you in Lake Spark forever.”
“Yeah…” No more hours of conversation and subtle looks. “You can send me letters that arrive by boat, taking the long way down the Illinois River into the Mississippi to the Gulf, which means I maybe won’t get them for weeks.”
“How very old-fashioned of us. But why not?”
“Or email works just fine… I’ve heard it’s faster.”
He turns to me and seems pleased with my suggestion. “Sounds like a perfect idea.”
Stone steps closer to me, and my entire body anticipates what his mission may be. I’m wishing for it. Should I be?
“Tell me it’s okay?” It’s a plea more than a question.
I’m with him on what he is insinuating, and I gently nod in agreement.
"I want to kiss you," he states, his voice soft.
"I think I want you to kiss me too."
Lines form on his forehead. "Think?"
A smile begins to form. "I would appreciate it if you kissed me."
"Appreciate?"
He inches closer, now aware that I'm playing coy with him, and his head tilts as he prepares to take charge.
Now my smile is in full force. "I undeniably want you to kiss me and have been thinking about it all day."
"That's better."
His grin doesn't get a chance to shine as his hand slides along my cheek until his other hand follows on the opposite side of my face. Stone cradles my head, supporting me to ensure I don’t lose the strength in my legs, because that’s what is beginning to happen.
I’m weak from his touch, with his thumb tracing my lips.
I press against his finger with my lips to encourage him not to stop.
Stone dips his head down and slowly his mouth meets mine.
Closing my eyes, my senses magnify. His kiss is soft at first, allowing my body to adjust to what’s happening.
It’s electrical, awakening things inside of me that may have been dormant.
Wait, no, that’s not true. This is all new.
Different to anything before. A kiss that will be far too memorable.
I murmur into his mouth, inviting him to explore with his tongue. He groans when he angles the kiss in a different way, capturing more of my desire for this man who I only met a few days ago, but it feels as though we were meant to cross roads.
Kismet is apparently real.
We part, only to feather one another’s lips. A delicate brush that I feel all the way down to my toes.
Then another kiss, this time deeper. More together.
An intensity takes over. Enrapturing me into a space that feels enticing, and I want to explore more. How far can I go to give and take?
Then it hits me.
I’m broken goods. This man needs someone to match his needs and persistence.
I’ll just ruin it for us somehow.
Which is why I break this kiss, even though I think that I could ever stop. But I can’t lead us down a lane with no clear ending.
“Tomorrow I Ieave, but maybe it’s better to part now… Goodbye, Stone,” I whisper.
“Harlow,” he warns before I walk away, our fingers only letting go at the very last moment.
I don’t look back.
I should have known that it wouldn’t stop Stone Madden.