Page 57 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

“Um, clothes. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t pack swimwear.”

“Me neither.” He pulls off his shirt, showing a muscular physique.

My mouth falls open. The last time we swam together—a few years ago at this point—he wasn’t nearly as defined as now.

When he pulls his shirt from his face, he catches me staring.

I could die right here, right now. But I don’t turn away. He’s magnificent.

“You gonna keep watching?” A smirk plays at his lips.

“No!” I whip around and duck under the water for good measure. I swear I hear him chuckle before I submerge myself.

After a few moments the water ripples with strong waves, jostling me. He must’ve jumped in, given the force.

It’s just as well, since I can’t hold my breath any longer. Just before my lungs explode, I burst to the surface, careful not to leap too high and risk him seeing my underwear. I wipe the water from my eyes.

Harek is close enough I could reach out and touch him. His muscles gleam in the light, and I can’t get over how big they’ve gotten. He’s all man now—no denying it.

I can’t think like that. But the more I try to shove the thoughts aside, the more they scream at me.

He must’ve set this up on purpose. At least I’m not stressing about my heartache or the magic.

“The water’s perfect.” He closes his eyes for a moment.

I’m not sure I can even blink. When he opens his eyes, I nod, not trusting my voice.

He closes the distance between us. I don’t dare think about how near he is under the water. His expression softens. “Are you okay with this?”

“Yeah.” My voice is about ten octaves higher than normal.

“I love having all this time with you. We’ve barely gotten any alone time together in ages.”

“It’s… it’s nice.” I swallow. “I’ve missed you.”

Harek brushes some hair from my face and tucks it behind my ear, his gaze not leaving mine.

Despite being immersed in water, my mouth goes dry like the ground in the summer heat.

His fingertips don’t leave my ear, nor his eyes from mine.

My skin practically burns at his touch. I don’t want him to let go. Ever. The air between us feels electric, which is dangerous around all this water.

He trails his fingers down to my jawline, tracing it. My skin tingles everywhere he touches. He stops, his hand near my lips.

I lean closer toward him, barely aware of my own movement. His thumb brushes my mouth.

My eyes widen, but his soften. He tilts his head, and flecks of silver appear in his irises. Then he brushes a fingertip along my lower lip. It’s like a trail of sparks.

A gasp escapes me. I want him to kiss me—more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

Some of his hair falls across his eye, and a drop of water trails down his face, landing on his mouth. I can’t take it anothersecond. This moment has been building for our entire lives, the intensity growing exponentially since we stepped out from the town wall. It was easier for me to be angry with him for being a werewolf than to admit how much I need him.

I close the gap between us and press my lips against his. He cups my chin and returns the kiss. Behind my closed eyelids, a fireworks show puts any real life display to shame. My heart soars as I taste him, pressing my palms against his arms. He flexes and deepens the kiss. I can barely breathe. I’m desperate to take it all in, hold onto this moment forever.

Smoke fills the air. Something’s burning.

Harek pulls away. “The food!”

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