17. Lindee #2
Silence takes over, the air now only filled with the chatter of the rest of the group.
My pulse picks up, thrumming through me at a speed that seems like it might break a land record.
I wish I knew what to say. Conversation has never been awkward between Brandt and me.
Even the silence is comfortable. Like we can just be—no expectations to fill it.
Except now.
I feel like I was caught in a lie and need to explain myself yet can’t. In the back of my head, there is this niggling fear that it might make him break up with me. But it’s not like we’re even really together to break up. And again, I didn’t outright lie.
“Bathers ready?” Verne asks through a megaphone.
The crowd cheers, everyone around us starting to disrobe.
“Is that our cue?” Brandt asks.
“It is.”
Holding out his hand, he waits for mine.
My heart leaps, nerves taking over. I’m not sure why; it’s not like Brandt hasn’t seen me naked.
He has. A lot. He’s also kissed just about every inch of my exposed skin there is.
But something about being here, like this, is different.
It’s not simply the two of us in the dark, having a private moment.
This is out there. For the whole town to see.
And you know what? I’m here for it.
So I do the only thing I can think to—I slip my hand into his and squeeze.
Lord help me if I don’t ever recover from this.
“You two have fun. I’m going back to the warm car,” April declares, already walking that way.
I shake my head, laughing, but keeping my attention where it matters. On Brandt, as we join the group at the water’s edge.
I watch as he pulls his sweatshirt over his head, revealing his chest. My mouth waters, my body reacting like this is going to turn hot and steamy instead of cold and icy. Brandt doesn’t seem to notice, his hands already at the waistband of his pants, dragging them down his legs.
“You are gonna join in, right?” he asks me.
I nod, heart hammering in my chest. Here goes.
Stripping as fast I can, I tell myself to ignore the cold air, my nipples contracting in protest as soon as they are exposed. The trees rustle as the breeze kicks up, taunting us. Now I remember why I don’t take part in this.
“Let’s go wash our cares away, shall we?”
Brandt winks. I hold out my hand, ready to take his like before, but he has another idea.
In the blink of an eye, he scoops me up and takes off running.
I shriek, but I’m not sure it’s heard over the rest of the screams and laughter from everyone already in the water.
Looping my arms around Brandt’s neck, I hold on tight.
A wall of ice slams into us as Brandt plunges us into the creek, the water instantly surrounding us. Everything inside me contracts, my nipples puckering even harder, the freezing temps having their way with us.
Pulling me in closer, Brandt tightens his grip on me. I lean in, wanting to be close to him, and not just because he’s the only source of warmth right now. No, I simply want to be with him. There’s no place I can think I’d rather be. Which is the opposite of what this was supposed to be about.
So much for that idea.
“Luna…” Brandt whispers, pressing his forehead to mine. “How ya’ feelin?”
“Cold…” I sputter out a laugh, my small voice sounding a bit pathetic at the moment.
Behind us, Ralph and Morty splash away, like they are a pair of six-year-olds having a water fight, completely ignoring Marian who is floating on her back, her personal buoys implanted in her chest helping keep her afloat.
“Same,” he chuckles. “There’s just one problem.”
“There is?”
Brandt nods. “It didn’t work. I still care.”
His words hit me as hard as the cold water did a minute ago. Maybe harder. He still cares. As in…cares about me. He’s caught feelings too.
Holy shit.
Lowering his lips to mine, Brandt stops just short—a whisper away—waiting for me to answer him. To give him some clue that he’s not alone in this. Digging my nails into his skin, I close the gap, pressing our lips together.
Brandt takes it from there.
He kisses me hard, long, and with a fire that sends me reeling. The cold and wet surrounding us are all but forgotten. As is the rest of the group. We’re all alone in this, nothing existing but him and the way he makes me feel. Safe, wanted, smart.
Needing more, I deepen the kiss, seeking out his tongue with mine.
He answers, shifting me weightlessly in his arms and grabbing ahold of my ass.
His firm hands feel good against my cold skin.
I wrap my legs around his waist, wanting to touch as much of him as possible.
Wanting to get lost in him and the heat he’s putting out.
Wanting to feel these tingles and butterflies all the time.
I pull back, my lungs screaming for air. More than that, I have something I need to ask Brandt.
“What are you doing next Wednesday?”
Brows narrowing in confusion, he shakes his head. “I dunno. Haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“Come with me to the Spring Fling.”
“Spring Fling?”
I nod. “It’s the annual spring event that the Ol’ Troublemakers put on at the distillery. As a Murray, I get an automatic plus-one. Be mine?”
A smirk takes over Brandt’s face, sending the butterflies in my chest wild. “Gladly.”
“Good.” I snuggle into him closer, the chill starting to seep back in. “Now, how do you feel about breakfast tacos?”
“Still one of my favorite things.”
I giggle, stealing another kiss. “Good. I know the perfect place. Plus, it’s warm there.”
“It’s a date.”