Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,92

stomach is protesting against me. Unzipping the pack at my feet, I pull out the sandwiches and bottles of water we packed. Elias takes some food and water from my hand for himself, his fingers grazing softly against my palm.

We eat our sandwiches quietly for a while, watching the waves roll in onto the sandy beach. Elias startles me by pulling himself up, reaching down to help me up with him.

“Let’s go for a quick swim,” he says, while peeling his shirt over his head.

Oh. My.

My mouth goes dry at seeing Elias shirtless. His skin is flawless; a light trail of hair running over his breastbone, trickling down to his naval, and disappearing beneath his waistband. His body is all hills and valleys, ropes and plains of muscle, tan smooth skin. My heart thunders loudly in my chest as he hitches his thumbs beneath the waistband of his shorts, slowly dropping the material to the ground before stepping out. Elias in nothing but sexy tight boxer briefs would rival the most sculpted model.

“Are you going to stare all day? I’m guessing you definitely need a dip in the lake now judging by how red your face is,” he laughs, before turning and jogging off into the dark blue water.

I don’t have a swimming suit. Glancing down my tank top, I remember I’m at least wearing a sexy matching bra and cheeky panties. I peek towards the lake, and when I don’t see Elias, or anyone else for that matter, I whip the shirt over my head, tossing it on our blanket and shimmy out of my denim shorts. A loud whistling cheer turns my face crimson.

“Hurry up, babe! Don’t make me come up there and get you!”

Oh hell no. I kick off my flip-flops and practically run down to the beach, throwing myself into the lake before too many people can see me. The water feels cold, but not too frigid for a swim after our sweaty hike. The lake bottom is squishy and mucky between my toes. I’m about waist deep, and I spin around, trying to find Elias. He’s hiding on me, but he can’t stay down there forever. A pair of cold arms wrap around my torso, and I scream at the sensation.

“Boo!” he shouts in my ear.

“That’s not funny!” Spinning in his arms, I make a weak attempt to splash him, failing miserably.

“Oh, is that how this is?” Elias picks me up and hauls me over his shoulder headfirst into the lake. I suck in a breath at the last moment, right before my face breaks the surface, and a blast of cold water shocks my face. I flail about, righting myself, coming up for air in a childish rage.

“Oh my God, how could you!” I can’t help but laugh. With my outstretched arm, I land a perfectly huge arc of water right in his face. “Ha! Payback!”

He laughs, wiping water out of his eyes. Slinging his arms around my waist, he catches me, pulling me flush against his rigid body. My softness curves into his muscles, melding us together. We fit perfectly, like two distinct pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and I can’t help but melt into his warmth.

Home.

The word resonates in my head, and it strikes me just then that Elias really feels like home to me. A safe, comfortable, welcoming feeling that comes from being somewhere familiar. I’ve never had that before. Not growing up, not even in my apartment, which feels cold and lonely most nights. Without even realizing it, Elias has built himself into my home, and the revelation shoots a warm stream of emotion though me. My eyes well up with tears, and I look into Elias’s baby blue eyes, reaching my hand up to thread my fingers into his damp hair.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, bringing one hand up to cradle my cheek, brushing his thumb back and forth along the crest. I lean into his warm, safe touch. I keep my eyes locked onto his and prepare to do something I have never done before. It’s time to bare all.

“Nothing. Nothing is wrong. I just realized I have found something in you that I’ve never had before in my life. And the feeling is incredible.”

“And what is that you’ve found?” he asks, his mouth lifting in one corner, his eyes alight with excitement. The emotion visible on his face is encouraging, and I dare to speak the word.

“Home.”

I don’t have time to register the passion shining in his eyes