Page 68 of Finding London

When we get out to where the water hits my chest, London wraps her arms around my neck so that our faces are level, and then her legs go around my waist.

“So, tell me what boogie-boarding is. Do I have to stand on the board?” she asks hesitantly.

“No, it’s really easy and fun. You’ll like it.”

“Easy and fun to you maybe.”

I expel a laugh. “I promise, you’ll like it. We’ll swim out to about there.” I point to where the waves peak before they roll onto the shore. “See those waves? We’ll be there. You can lie on your belly on the board. I like to go in on my knees.”

She glares at me.

“But let’s do stomachs for now.” I smile. “So, you’re there, lying on the board, and the wave will carry you onto shore. It feels like a mini roller coaster ride. Kids do it. It’s easy. It doesn’t require a lot of skill. Just wait, you’ll have fun.”

“Definea lot.”

I laugh. “Okay, it doesn’t take any skill.”

“That sounds more my speed.” She giggles. “I like roller coasters.”

“See? Perfect.” I squeeze my arms around her, pulling her soft body into mine.

“Someday, are you going to get sick of me and my lack of outdoor knowledge? You might do better with dating a lumberjack or a professional outdoor person.”

“An outdoor person?”

“You know what I mean.” She grins wide.

“Do you know any female lumberjacks? Are they as hot as you?” I ask seriously.

“Not funny.” She playfully hits my chest.

“Listen, London, I adore you just the way you are. I love that you haven’t done a lot of the things that I like to do. It’s fun to experience them with you for the first time.”

“You have a thing about firsts, don’t you?”

“With you, I do.” My eyes capture hers, conveying all the things I want to say.

She places her lips against mine. I kiss her back, slow and worshipful at first, savoring the way she feels. I have an acute awareness of her, an inexplicable pull toward her, and I feel it all—the way her fingers caress the hair at the nape of my neck, her body wrapped around mine, and the sweet sighs that escape her mouth. All of it, all of London, makes me insane with need.

She is so different from me in every sense, but she couldn’t be more perfect. Everything about her fills me with a sense of calm. With each kiss, each giggle, each pout, she is teaching my cold heart how to live again. Her presence alone is filling me up with the capacity to love.

I take the kiss deeper. I kiss her hard, my tongue licking greedily. Her taste is addictive. She whimpers into my mouth as her fingers pull through my hair, drawing me closer.

She pulls her mouth from mine, her lips swollen and red, sexy. “I’m clean, and I’m on the pill.”

It takes me a second to realize what she’s referring to, but when I do, I almost groan at the implication. “I’m clean, too.” My words come out hoarse, my voice saturated in desire.

“Have you ever had sex in a lake before, Loïc?”

I shake my head.

“Me neither.” Her voice is low and seductive.

With just a few words, London has the ability to make me crazy with desire. She is exceptionally skilled at it.

I look around to find us alone in the lake—at least, this far out. A few people are up on this section of the beach, but I know only our shoulders and heads are visible from above the water. We’re far enough out that they would only be able to tell that we’re out here, but they wouldn’t be able to make out our actions.

My breaths come out ragged. London’s eyes gleam in a silent dare.

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