Page 52 of In the Dust

We wade in the water; the only sounds are the thumping of my heart and the water rolling past Colton’s ore. This is peaceful, serene. “This right here is where I want to be for the rest of my life.”

Colton lets out a deep breath, one that seems like he’s been holding since I got back here. “So, you don’t want to go back?” he asks in a careful, calm-as-the-current tone.

I simply shake my head, and he puts down his paddle. “You promise me, Dixie May,” he grunts, rocking the canoe as he slips off his bench and sits on his knees in the middle well to even out the shaking.

I’ve made my decision. I carefully bend forward, cupping his face in my hands. “I promise you.”

Everything around us goes still and silent, apart from the gentle rocking of the canoe as he pulls me on top of him.

“We’re going to fall in,” I whisper.

“I don’t care,” he responds, running his hands through my hair as our lips meet.

This isn't the feral moment we shared in the barn. As Colton’s fingers curl underneath my shirt and he peels it off, I moan. Just the simple touch of his warm knuckles against my skin sends my body to another planet.

He pulls off his swimming trunks, and the movement nearly tips the canoe over, but we don’t stop. I run my palms over his chest, biting my lip as his fingers explore me. He tugs the string of my biking top, and my breasts bounce free in front of him.

He captures my nipple into his mouth, gently sucking and nipping at it before he strokes his own hardened length. His hands grip my hips, and he slowly lowers me down onto him.

He fills me completely, and his calloused hands glide along my skin. I would be worried someone might see us, but we’re tucked away in our little cove. Only the birds are here to witness the magical moment between us.

The boat rocks more as I bounce on his lap, throwing my head back as moans escape me.

I realize this is more out of hunger. We’ve both been starving for so long without each other.

As we come undone together, another puzzle piece clicks back into place. He is home.

A tear drips down my cheek. “I love you,” I tell him.

“I love you too, Dixie May,” he responds, sliding back onto the bench seat to carefully get his shorts back on.

I stand to tie my top. “I’m so hun—”

“Dix!” Colton shouts as I fall backwards into the water with a massive splash.

When I resurface, he’s leaned over the edge, grinning. “Don’t,” I playfully tease, pushing my wet hair from my face before securing my top.

“We just did that.” He nudges his head into the canoe. “But your clumsy ass can’t even stand up properly.” He laughs.

I curl my fingers around the edge, lifting myself to kiss him. Then, I wrap my hand around his neck and tip the boat a little more, so he falls in. “Oh, hell no!” He chortles, using his long arms to swim towards me.

“Shouldn't have laughed at me.” I stick my tongue out at him as he lifts me above the water and tosses me a few feet away.

We spend some time being carefree, enjoying nature and each other as we swim under and around the canoe like we’re children.

I hold one end of the canoe, and Colton grabs the other as we swim it back to shore.

We sit on the blanket to dry out. “That was …” I breathe, “so sweet, Colton.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” He bumps shoulders with me before laying down. I follow him, placing my head on his chest. He looks around. “I remember the first time we came out here.”

I blush, but he isn't referring to that time. He lazily strums his fingers along my back. “It had just rained, and we were filthy from jumping in puddles.” He laughs at the memory.

“I raced you, but we didn’t know where we were going,” I recall, “but we ended up here.”

“Yes, we did. And we swam until the stars were in the sky.”

I peer up at him. “I didn't know you remembered that.”

---