When You Come Back to Me (Lost Boys #2) - Emma Scott Page 0,149

I’m going to melt and there will be nothing left of me but the ring. You’ll have to mop me off the floor of this entry.”

“Our entry,” I say and kiss him hard.

But before the flame burning between us ignites to celebrate, I feel the sweat trickle between my shoulder blades.

“I’m too sweaty,” I say. “And probably stink. Do you care if I take a quick dip in the pool?”

Holden leans in and draws my lower lip between his teeth, then lets go with a fiery glance. “If you must.”

“I’ll hurry,” I say hoarsely and don’t even bother changing into a bathing suit. I go to our backyard, strip down to my boxer-briefs and dive in. The water is cool compared to the sticky heat of the night, but not too cold.

I take a few laps, and then head to the side to haul myself out. I go under the water and when I resurface, Holden’s lying on his stomach at the ledge, trailing his fingers over the water.

“I love this ring,” he says as the silver glints in the falling twilight.

“It came out well,” I say. “Shiloh made it.”

“Yeah? Now I love it more.”

“She’s talented,” I say. The woodwork design on yours is incredible.”

“Woodwork?” Holden frowns, examining the silver ring on his finger. “The designs on this ring are water.”

“I thought it looked like the lines inside a tree.”

“That’s because there isn’t an egotistical bone in your body. These are the currents of a river.”

God, he’s right. The flowing lines are a current, going around and around, never breaking or going still.

“My River,” Holden says and bends down to kiss me again. Then settles his chin back onto his hands, a strange look on his face.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask.

“You,” he says. “Me. How I want me to be with you.”

I chuckle. “You are with me. Always.”

“I mean in the literal sense. As in, right now.”

Then he’s pulling himself off the cement and stripping off his shoes and socks. His jacket and shirt.

“What are you doing?” I ask, my heart jumping in my chest.

“Maybe something stupid,” he says, and now he’s naked but for his underwear. “But we got engaged tonight. Because you were brave. I’m feeling a little brave too.”

Holy shit.

I’ve wanted this for him for so long. It was why I insisted on a house with a pool. I hoped someday he’d want to try, and I damn well wanted to be there when he did. I just had no idea it would be so soon.

Holden sits on the edge of the pool, his legs in the water. His face is still but he’s gripping the edge so tightly, his knuckles have gone white.

“Holden…”

“Come closer, please.”

I surge forward, my hands on his calves, letting him know I’m there. “What do you need?”

He smiles gratefully, then it fades into a look of determination. And courage.

With a short inhale of breath, he pushes himself off the edge and into the water. He gasps as the water comes up to his chest. It’s five feet deep, and he stands a foot above, the water flowing around his neck and collarbones. Instinctively, I put my arms around him.

“You okay?” I ask gruffly. I’m so proud of him, I could cry, but this is his moment and I pull myself together.

He nods quickly. “Don’t let go.”

“I never will.”

The water slips cool and smoothly between our chests. His feet are firmly planted with mine, his back to the wall. I hold him close and feel his heart beat against my own. We stay there until they become indistinguishable.

I check in again. “You good?”

“I’m fine. This is silly.”

“It’s not. You’re so fucking brave.”

His beautiful face wears that same smile from earlier and then the look of determination comes back. He pushes me an arm’s length away, still gripping my wrists.

And then he lets go.

I rest my arms on the ledge and watch him glide to the center of the pool. Tears blur my vision, but I quickly blink them away. I don’t want to miss a single moment.

Holden dives under the water and resurfaces with a small gasp. I restrain myself from going to him, but Holden is okay, floating on his back and staring at the sky. Then he sighs as if he’s letting something go. Something he’s been carrying inside for too long.

After a moment, he plants his feet on the bottom of the pool.

“Okay, that’s enough,” he says, striding toward me in long steps. “There’s only so many reunions