Page 72 of Lipstick Kiss

“Something warm. It’s all coming off for the surprise, anyway. But the warm clothing will be good for dinner as they like to eat alfresco, and it may be late Spring, but it can still get chilly.”

“You’re so sweet when you’re looking after me.”

“You’re worth looking after, Peaches.”

He kissed her stupid and then let her roll out of bed to get changed.

They walked across the lawns behind the cottages and past the end. It wasn’t long before Freya was led to a secluded area. Large multi-wick candles were lit inside lanterns around a natural steaming pool. The pool itself was lit as well. It looked pretty as a brochure, but her feet were rooted to the spot.

“We’re getting back on the horse, Peaches. It’s something my dad always said to all of us. Face your fears head-on. This is as much for me as it is for you. Although I think I get the bonus of seeing you wet and naked again.”

“Luke,” she said, her bottom lip wobbling. “I can’t get back in the water.”

“I’ll help you. This pool isn’t deep. I’ve put underwater lights in there. Heidi came and lit the candles when you were getting changed. I really think we should do this. I know anyone can drown in a puddle, but standing in that water would only come up to your hips.”

“Won’t it be cold?”

“That’s the surprise,” he said.

“I thought this secret pool was the surprise.”

“Nope.”

Luke let go of her hand and went over to a tree. He picked up a set of screens and positioned them around the small pool to give them privacy. He left one of the concertina doors open. Cocooning the pool brought a sudden darkness to the area and, with it, seclusion.

“I’ll be with you the entire time. I will not let you go. Come on,” Luke said, tugging on her hand.

She let him lead her as she hummed deeply with foreboding until she reached the edge. There was definitely steam coming off the water. The rock edge was not unlike the cave she’d been florin hunting in. The bowl of the pool looked pearlescent.

“All right, as long as you don’t leave me alone, not for a minute.”

“I promise. I’ll get in first and then help you in, but you need to get naked to get the full experience.”

“Okay, I trust you.”

Luke’s face faltered for a second then he grinned wide. He pulled off his clothes and draped them over a rock beside the pool. He then dropped into the water to demonstrate the water only came halfway up his thighs. She pulled down the zipper of her hoodie and put it on top of Luke’sclothes. When she saw his nipples harden and he shivered, she hurried with the rest and stood at the pool’s side. Luke came right up to her, kissed her midriff, and then wrapped his arms around her legs under her bottom. With one lift, he took her off the ledge and lowered her into the pool.

“You’re so strong,” she whispered, draping her arms over his shoulders.

“For you,” he said. “Put your legs around me.”

She lifted her thighs, and Luke put his hands under her bottom, his fingers slipping between her cheeks. Then he carefully sat down and submerged them to their necks.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” she said, clinging on to him for dear life. “It’s so warm in here. How did you manage it?”

“It’s nature, Peaches. This is a natural mineral spring. The heat is coming from the earth. Pretty cool right?”

“It is. Have you always known about it?”

“I remember Dad saying something about it. But it was Archer’s suggestion to bring you here. I thought we could use the pool at Turner Hall, but he said if I wasn’t comfortable, then it would be better if only I saw it.”

“You have a great brother.”

“The other one isn’t bad. He has comfort food waiting for you when we get back. It’s already ready in the slow cooker, just in case you weren’t ready for this. Heidi told me what to pack and got this place ready. Erica wanted to help too, but Archer has forbidden her to walk on uneven ground.”

“You have awesome brothers and their wives.”

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