The same excitement that bubbled in her own veins.
Clapping her hands, Charlaine jumped up and down, her limbs eager to move, longing to follow him up into the tree…and then down into the water. “On three!” she called and he nodded. “One! Two! Three!”
Gripping the rope with both hands, Nathanial swung forward until he was free of the tree, only water below him. Then he let go…
…and dropped into the lake with a large splash.
Charlaine laughed as he sank below the surface, displacing the water and causing waves to roll upon the shore where she stood, watching with envy in her heart. She glanced toward the tree where the rope swung softly in the breeze, now free of its burden. For a second, she was tempted to break her promise.
Then Nathanial reappeared, a wide grin upon his face as he began swimming toward her.
Charlaine rested her hands on her hips. “Now, you cannot tell me that that wasn’t fun,” she dared him.
His grin broadened as he stood, wading through the water, his shirt plastered to his broad chest. “Perhaps a little,” he conceded, splashing a little water her way.
“Hey, you’ll get me wet!” Charlaine protested, but then stuck her foot in the water and kicked in his direction, unfortunately splattering no more than a few droplets at him.
Nathanial laughed. “Says the woman who came up with this ludicrous idea!” Again, he splashed water at her and, this time, she felt a few drops soak through the thin fabric of her dress.
Annoyed with him, Charlaine knelt down, scooped some water into her hands and threw it at him as he stepped out onto the shore. It hit him right in the back! Unfortunately, the impact was minimal considering he was already soaked from head to toe. Still, a wicked grin appeared on his face as he turned to look at her.
A moment later, he spun around and came toward her, the threat of retribution burning in his eyes.
Shrieking, Charlaine retreated, her back now toward the lake, a most unfortunate position for her right foot slid down the bank and into the water. She could feel her hem soaking through, but she did not care. Her eyes were fixed on Nathanial as he advanced and she retreated. The cool water felt wonderful against her legs and her hands reached down to throw more his way.
Dodging the splash, Nathanial moved quickly and before Charlaine knew what was happening, his cold hand closed around her wrist, her heated skin all but sighing at the cooling contact. “I thought you didn’t want to get wet,” he laughed before he shook his head from side to side, sending a spray of water at her.
Charlaine shrieked yet again, enjoying herself immensely, and tried to break free. His grip, however, would not loosen and they moved in a strange imitation of a tug-of-war through the water. Charlaine could not say if they were wading in deeper or back to shore until her foot slipped on a smooth rock.
Unable to regain her balance, she fell backward, pulling Nathanial along as his hand was still wrapped around her wrist. They stumbled a few steps before Charlaine felt her world turn upside down. Her eyes closed as a sense of weightlessness came over her. It only lasted for a split second before she fell into the soft grass upon the bank, her feet still in the lake.
Water drops fell down upon her face and, momentarily, Charlaine wondered if it had started to rain. However, when she opened her eyes, she found Nathanial all but hovering above her, his arms braced to the left and right of her head, water dripping down from his chin and nose and onto her skin.
“You’re getting me wet,” she chided him yet again, a wide smile upon her face as she reached up to brush the water from his face.
Nathanial chuckled. “You’re mad,” he said once again, his blue gaze looking down at her. “Absolutely and completely mad.”
“Perhaps,” she whispered as her hands ran down the sides of his neck and onto his shoulders, suddenly unable not to touch him, “but then what are you?”
The smile slid from his face and he swallowed. “I must be, too,” he murmured, his chest moving with each rapid breath, before his gaze dropped to her lips, “for it seems I cannot resist you.”
And from one moment to the next, everything changed again.
No longer were they locked in a friendly battle, teasing each other as friends were wont to do. No, all of a sudden, Charlaine was very much aware of his large body hovering above hers, his gaze dark and captivating. That muscle in his jaw twitched as his gaze dropped from hers to trace the line of her upper lip.
Charlaine felt her breath lodge in her throat. He’s going to kiss me! That voice screamed once again. Or isn’t he?
Only too well did Charlaine remember her disappointment when Nathanial had retreated from her in the stables. She had wanted him to kiss her, but she had been confused at the time, overwhelmed and unprepared to stop him from drawing away.
Now, she was not. Now, she knew what she wanted…for it seemed he wanted it as well.
Without thought, her hands tightened on his shoulders, a soft pressure, urging him closer.
Nathanial’s eyes shot back up to meet hers, his jaw tightening, his gaze wide and dazed, but tempted nonetheless. And then he moved closer, slowly lowering himself down to her.
Charlaine closed her eyes…
…and then his lips brushed against hers.
Chapter Thirty-Six
If Only…
Nathanial felt as though he had strayed into a dream. He could feel Charlaine’s soft lips meeting his, her warm breath mingling with his own as his body lay down upon hers. Her warmth surged through him, and he felt her hands tighten upon his shoulders.
Never in his life had Nathanial wanted something as much as he wanted her in this very moment. When a soft sigh escaped her lips, all restraint fell from him.
His lips crushed down upon hers as desire ignited in every fiber of his body. All pretense was wiped away and the truth burst forth. A truth Nathanial had run from. A truth he feared. A truth he wished he could ignore.
For it brought with it the danger of loss.
However, in this moment, his mind was overruled by the sheer delight of holding her in his arms. She felt soft and warm, her body small and vulnerable compared to his. Still, he knew the strength that lived in her heart; a strength that had given him hope and a reason to smile and laugh and seek something more than a mere existence when he had steadfastly believed that there could be none. She had changed him, pushed and prodded him, made him daring enough to reach for what he wanted.
And what he wanted was her.
Even through the mindless passion that blazed in his veins, Nathanial knew that it was more than a physical need he felt for her. No, what made the pulse thunder in his veins was the woman who had all but forced herself into his life. The woman who had seen his almost desperate need for a friend. The woman who had been true and kind and daring ever since she had first addressed him the day of his brother’s wedding celebration.
Charlaine was his friend, and he loved her for it.
Still…
Bracing himself on his left arm, Nathanial cupped her face, his wet fingers leaving a trail upon her cheek, then down her neck and back up. They slid into her dark curls at the nape of her neck, urging her closer so he could deepen the kiss.
Her lips parted willingly, and a soft moan escaped her as her hands slid under his soaked shirt, her fingers tracing a line along his shoulders and then moved to the front. Her touch was delicate, tentative, but also curious and bold. It was everything she was, and Nathanial sank into her embrace without thought.