Page 176 of Through the Water

“C’mon,” Bailey pleaded.

Morgan paused and glanced back over her shoulder at him. “I was actually thinking of grabbing a quick shower to wash the sand off, but y’all have fun.”

Bailey grabbed the flamingo by the neck and tipped himself into the water. “Shit, Killian. I almost had you there. Well, better luck next time, right? Morgan, wait up! You might need some help in those hard to reach areas!”

He hauled himself out of the pool and followed her inside, leaving us alone.

Finally.

I felt a little winded, but it was probably just due to my walk on the beach and not the nerves currently gnawing a hole in the pit of my stomach. I frowned at my trembling hands and willed them to obey.

We’re fine. Nothing to worry about.

Killian raised a brow, looking almost mischievous. “You coming in, slugger? Water’s warm.”

My breath came faster, and I spun the engagement ring around my finger before nodding. “Sure, I’ll sit and put my feet in.”

I placed my notebook on the patio table and rolled up my leggings, mentally tweaking the song lyrics I’d written on the beach.

When Killian abandoned the inflatable flamingo to take a few laps, I made my way over to admire the view. His body glided through the water with ease, muscles rippling with each stroke.

His beauty, inside and out, left me suddenly fighting the urge to cry. If the dampness on my cheeks was any indicator, it was a battle I was clearly already losing.

Stupid hormones.

Finding a spot near the shallow end, I sat down and waited for him to resurface. A couple of seconds later, he swam over to join me. I slowly kicked my legs, letting the bubbles tickle my toes.

Killian reached for one of my feet, gently kneading along the arch. “Morgan said you were down by the beach. Did you write again today?” His gravelly voice pulled me from thoughts of songwriting and directed me toward the bedroom.

He was good at that.

Maybe a little too good.

“I did.” I drew my lower lip between my teeth. “It’s a little different, though.”

“How so?” Killian might have been rubbing my feet, but I knew I had his full attention.

Something wet landed against my cheek as I leaned in to brush the drops of water from his lashes, and I realized I was doing it again.

I lifted my eyes to the darkening sky and blinked to clear my vision before softly admitting, “Well, it’s a lullaby.”

“A lullaby?”

I sensed he was smiling but didn’t dare look. I’d never get my words out if I did. “Yeah, you know, songs for babies.”

“Babies,” he repeated, definitely grinning. “Well, that is different for you, slugger.”

“Right?” I agreed, my face still tipped up to the sky.

Killian lowered my feet back into the water and moved between my legs, sending flutters throughout my lower belly. His hand lifted to my jaw, tucking several strands of windswept hair behind my ear before bringing my eyes down to meet his.

“That’s better,” he murmured, the corner of his mouth quirked up. “Now then, tell me more about these songs.”

I took his free hand in mine. “Well, I just started writing it today. It just kinda came to me this morning. And now I don’t know if I want to wait to do a big wedding after the season’s over because this, um, song, it might be really big by then.”

“Is this song—is it one you want to write?” Killian asked quietly. The pad of his thumb stroked along my cheek while his blue-gray eyes surveyed mine.

“Absolutely,” I answered without an ounce of hesitation. “It just changes things a bit.”

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