Chapter 40
My eyes dart out to the vast expanse of water. I can hear the waves rolling onto the shore slowly, almost like the ocean is getting sleepy, but it looks nearly black against the sky. Majestic and menacing at the same time.
“That? At night? You’re not serious.” I grab what’s left of the wine bottle and pour it into my glass. I take a sip, narrowing my eyes at him. However, the look on his face appears to be dead serious.
“If you haven’t gone night swimming while you’re here yet, we need to cross it off your bucket list. Tonight.”
He can’t actually expect me to get in that. Not with all the creepy night creatures I was just thinking of moments ago.
“I distinctly recall a very wise man telling me that sharks feed at night. And besides, I don’t have my swimsuit.” I smile, knowing full well my lack of swimsuit will only encourage him even more.
“Who said anything about swimsuits?” Dom grins back at me. A rush of new adrenaline runs through me when I realize what he’s suggesting. Then he stands up. His ab muscles practically dance in the firelight, daring me to take the bait.
I lean back and drain my glass, then set it down thoughtfully, enjoying what I’m seeing already.
I laugh. “Don’t tempt me with a good time. I’m perfectly content with my current view.” I let my eyes wash down his body, suddenly hungry for dessert.
“This isn’t a temptation, as much as it’s a promise.”
Then he takes off, sprinting toward the crashing waves in the distance.
* * *
“I’ve never been skinny-dipping.” I’m standing breathless at the water’s edge. The sand beneath my bare feet still feels warm from a day spent baking in the sun.
I have yet to pull my kaftan off, still fairly unconvinced that we’re actually going into that dark water.
“How is that possible?”
“No one is exactly stripping down to jump in the Hudson River these days.” I giggle nervously. “At least no one that I know.”
He’s standing just inches away, looking down at me with a stark white grin, all the whiter in the near darkness of the moonlight. Heat from his body pushes through the thin fabric I’m still wearing, making my entire body pulse harder, screaming at me to get in the water if it means having another go with him. I wish he’d sling me over his shoulder and dive under the waves with me, just to get it all over with.
He bends down to kiss me, gently at first, then hungry for more.
Adrenaline courses through my veins. I’m unable to ignore the fresh wave of desire rushing through me, filling me to my core.
“You ready?” he whispers.
I pull the kaftan over my head in one swooshing motion, just as Dom tosses his board shorts aside.