Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,65

and she moved her eyes down.

“Oh my.”

“Oh my?” I smiled at her reaction.

“Don’t act surprised. You could have warned me you were like that.” She pointed while trying to avert her eyes again.

“I am with you. You should get used to causing that reaction.”

“That fast? I mean I haven’t touched you or anything.”

“You question my arousal when you stand there in such little clothing? It is taking all of my restraint not to…”

“Not to what?” she asked innocently.

“Do you want me to answer that question?”

“No.” She turned and started toward the water.

I stood behind her and pulled her back into my chest. My body pulsed at the contact.

She groaned. “So much for your talk about the first time having to be in your bed in your home.”

“Oh, it will be. This is only for a swim.”

“Then what about that.” She touched my leg.

I got brazen and moved her hand to what she was actually referring to. I groaned even though I knew it was coming.

She let go for a moment before replacing her hand in exactly the same place. “Do you like to torture yourself?”

“I am building tolerance. It will make tonight better.”

“Are you that confident that you’re getting some tonight?”

“I am confident that I will have you.” I turned her in my arms. She let go of me in the motion, but it was for the best anyway. “I would never in my life force you to do anything, but you have the same want I have. The same need.”

“You are torturing me now.”

“Let’s swim. The cold water may help.”

“You first.” She seemed conflicted.

“How about we jump together?” I gave her no chance to argue. Instead I jumped, and she came with me. We splashed into the cool water.

“This feels so good.” She ran her hands through her wet hair.

“I know.” I held her against me. The feel of her half-naked body against mine nearly undid me. I needed her.

“It’s like a desert here. Hot during the day and cold at night.”

“Around Bellgard yes. It is different elsewhere.”

“I like it here.” She rested her head on my chest.

“I like you here.” I ran my hands over her back. I focused on what I was doing rather than what I needed to wait for.

“I want to go under the waterfall.”

“Want company?” It was not really a question. I had no intention of letting go of her.

“I wouldn’t mind it.” She detangled herself from my arms enough to start walking to the waterfall, but she did not remain on her feet for long. I picked her up in one motion, cradling her in my arms.

She squealed playfully as I situated us right under the cascading water. She leaned up and kissed me. I kissed her back. Hard, needing to feel and taste her again. We kissed while the water continued to pour down on top of us, and it was as though we were being forged together. Forged by the water and the steep stone wall that protected us from the outside world.

I could have stood there forever, holding my other half. The girl I had been searching years for without knowing of her existence.

“Wow.” She broke the kiss, and I let her slide down the side of my body.

“Wow is right.” I led her back toward the shore. I was still in a daze, and hopeful that whatever magic had connected us in that moment would never fade away.

“If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.” She leaned into my welcoming arms as she shivered in the light breeze.

“I am glad you no longer view it as a nightmare.”

“Nightmares don’t involve a kiss like that.”

“No. They don’t.”

24

AINSLEY

My heart was beating a million miles a minute as we walked through the front door of his house. The sun had almost disappeared, and the temperature continued to drop.

“You doing all right?” He watched me carefully as he held open the door.

“Fine.” I wasn’t as nervous as I expected to be. Instead I was anxious to spend time alone with him. This felt different. It was his home, and he had already explained that held significance.

“You can come in, you know?” He spoke playfully.

“Oh, yeah.” I tentatively stepped inside.

He reached around me and closed and locked the door.

The front hall was dark, and I happily accepted the hand he offered. “I will get us some light in the other room.”

I waited as he lit a few sconces. “I don’t know how you guys manage without electricity.”

“I find it more peaceful