Ignite On Contact (Brotherhood by Fire #2) -Jaci Burton Page 0,92
get in the water. And it’s safe. Our local lifeguards know about it and said it’s fine for swimming.”
She looked over at him. “In other words, your lifeguards also come out here.”
He grinned. “That’s how I know it’s safe.” He took her hand and led her through the bushes that kept the beach opening hidden from the public. It wasn’t a wide opening, but fortunately, Rafe knew the way. It wound around like a maze for about fifty feet, but then it opened up and they were at a clearing that was nothing but private beach and ocean.
“Wow.” Carmen stared out over the small stretch of sandy beach and waves. “This is amazing.”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen any part of the beach unoccupied like this. I mean, sure, at night, but there’s always buildings and hotels and lights. Here there’s . . .”
“Nothing.”
She lifted her gaze to his and offered up a knowing smile. “Yes. Nothing. No lights, no people around. It’s perfect, Rafe.”
He knew she’d like it. He led her down to the sand where he toed off his tennis shoes and dropped them on top of their towels. He dug in the sand and hid his keys, just in case someone should happen to walk by, though it was unlikely.
“Let’s get naked,” he said.
“Are you sure?” She gave him a hesitant look.
He pulled her into his arms. “We could always lie down on the towels and just make out.”
“You would be happy doing only that, wouldn’t you?”
“I’m always happy to kiss you.”
She looked out over the ocean. “It’s beautiful tonight.”
The moon was half-full, enough to highlight the water, but not enough to put them out in full view of anyone who might happen to come by. Not that they’d be seen. Rafe made sure of that.
When she turned back to him, she said, “I’ve never skinny-dipped a day in my life.”
He smoothed his hand down her back. “You don’t have to tonight, either, if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“Nothing about being with you makes me uncomfortable.” She took a step back and lifted the dress over her hips, then off, letting it drop to the towel. She hadn’t worn a bra, so she was left wearing a very pretty shade of coral underwear. She shimmied out of those and took his breath away standing in the silvery moonlight naked.
He shucked his board shorts and pulled off his tank, adding his clothes to hers.
“You look amazing naked in the moonlight,” she said.
He laughed. “Babe. Nothing compared to you.”
“Well, I’m hot and sweaty, and happy it’s dark. Let’s get in the water.”
He took her hand, and they walked to the water’s edge. The water felt cool as he waded in to his waist, but Carmen dove right in, then came up laughing.
“This feels amazing.” She dipped back under the water, coming up right in front of him, smoothing her hair back with her hands.
He drew her against him. “You look like a mermaid.”
“Yeah? You think I’m here to tempt you out to sea?” She wrapped her legs around him.
“Maybe.”
He kissed her. She tasted salty, like the ocean, but her kiss was damn sweet on his lips. He cupped his palm around her neck and dug his feet in the sand to hold them in place as the waves washed over them.
He saw lightning flash off the horizon. He knew it was far enough away not to be concerned, but he also knew a storm could roll in pretty fast, too.
Carmen pulled her lips from his. “Storm’s coming in.”
“Yeah.”
She rubbed her fingers across his jaw and rocked her hips against him. “I guess that means we should get out of the water.”
“Soon . . . ish.”
She smiled, then pushed away from him.
They splashed at each other, diving in and out of the water and laughing so hard that Rafe felt like a kid again. It was perfect to be there with Carmen, isolated and free to do whatever they wanted.
He wanted her to play for a while, to let go of whatever tension was tying her up in knots. He wanted her filled with joy, and God, he wanted to keep hearing her laugh.
By the time they walked out of the water, the wind had picked up, whipping all around them, and the lightning was moving closer. Clouds were coming in, too, obliterating the moon. But it was still humid and hot on the beach, so they didn’t even need to dry off. They collapsed on the towels, and Rafe lay