Page 86 of Always Be an Us

"Catch our own fish," she grins widely at me.

I smirk at her and she says, "Come on. I'll even show you my grandpa's super secret favorite spot."

The spot turns out to be a nice little cove we float onto after only ten minutes of boating on the lake by Emma's cottage. Emma gets us onto her grandfather’s boat, starting up the engine. As we leave the shore, the floating sensation underneath my feet is unsettling.

I’ve been on boats before, but usually they’re much bigger and much more stable, and I can barely feel the water. But Emma’s grandpa’s boat is small, and it feels like it might capsize at any moment.

Emma, on the other hand, doesn’t seem worried at all. She masterfully pushes us onto the lake standing straight without favoring one leg over another.

"Your ankle?" I inquire as she steers us toward the cave in the distance.

"It’s fine," she says. "We’re heading to Litchie’s Cave right now. Grandpa used to sit here for hours at a time." A gust of wind whips through her hair, making her seem like she’s a sailor from legend.

Eventually, her confidence relaxes me and I sit at her side, even taking off my suit jacket and loosening my tie. I toe off my shoes and socks, and even though I’m usually not the barefoot type, it feels surprisingly good to let loose a little.

Must really be the small-town water getting to me like my father said.

"Grandpa swears he nearly caught a sixty-pound pike here," Emma continues as we enter the cave, "but it escaped him. He's been coming back ever since to try his luck again."

Her face glitters from stray sunbeams poking through the rocks. She steers the boat to a stop with surprisingly expert ease and the cool cover shields us from outside view, lending a cozy ambiance to the ride.

Emma reaches for one of the fishing lines in the boat and smiles at me. "Ready?"

I am, but not for what she's talking about.

I decide I can’t stand not kissing her anymore

So, I quickly rectify that by leaning forward and capturing the back of her head in my hand, halting her words with a kiss.

She utters a tiny squeak of surprise right before she moans into my mouth.

And pretty soon a kiss isn’t enough.

I drag her against my body, devouring her lips, the need to go slow and tender, battling with the urge to swallow her whole. I want to touch her, feel her soft skin, kiss her everywhere all at once.

Eventually, we pull away to breathe and I watch her darkened eyes blink slowly.

"What is this?" she asks suddenly. "What's going on between us?"

Chapter Twenty-Five

Emma

I immediately want to snatch the words back as the look of leisurely desire flees from Declan’s face.

His eyebrows furrow a little and the smile that was tentatively forming on his lips completely vanishes.

Shit. Why did I say that?

I open my mouth to take the words back, but I don't know what to say. Besides, I do want an answer. I’m truly confused and don’t know what to make of Declan and my relationship. We’ve had sex a few times, but I wouldn’t call us lovers. And I wouldn’t call what we’re doing dating either, even though I’ve spent nearly every hour of the past forty-eight hours with him.

So, what do I call it then?

And why isn’t he answering my question? Is he so horrified by the idea of me thinking that something serious is going on between us?

A soft wave plops against the boat, and a distant heron squawks. The floating sensation that was once relaxing now feels more trapping, reminding me that we’re surrounded by water and there’s no easy escape.

I suppose I could throw myself in the lake and swim for shore, but that would hardly make this situation any less embarrassing.

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