Page 155 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“Don’t peek, all right?” I call out to him.

“I am a gentleman, Minnie. Of course I will not peek.”

I make quick work of removing my dress and shift. I don’t take off my brassiere and underwear, though. That would be too scandalous.

As if everything I’ve been doing so far hasn’t been the definition of scandalous.

With a sigh, I step toward my half of the lake.

Mine is still in his half with his back turned to me. He’s washing his face and hair, going underwater before resurfacing.

A shudder goes down my back.

This is going to be so cold. I can already feel it.

Bracing myself, I squeeze my eyes shut as I dip one foot in the lake.

“Oh,” I whisper in surprise. The water is lukewarm and not at all unpleasant. It’s colder outside than inside. Without giving too much thought to how this difference in temperature could happen, I get inside until the water reaches my collarbone.

I splash it over my face. Perhaps this wasn’t such a bad idea. It does feel nice to be clean.

Stepping a bit further into the lake, I emulate Mine and submerge myself to wash my hair. The bottom of the lake is slippery, and as I try to find my footing to resurface, I trip and fall further into the lake.

The water here is much deeper, now well over my head.

And there is one aspect that I did not consider.

I cannot swim.

I move my arms around in an attempt to bring myself to the surface, but just as I get a mouthful of air, I find myself being drawn under the water.

In my panic, I forget to close my mouth and water rushes in, making me splutter.

That lasts only a moment. In the next, two strong arms haul me back to the surface.

I wheeze and spit the water in my mouth, my lungs on fire both from nearly drowning and from the panic that I might drown.

“There, I’ve got you,” Mine whispers. He’s holding me close to his body.

His naked body.

As my panic recedes, I realize he’s crossed into my half of the lake. And now his naked body is next to my own and…

“Go back to your half of the lake,” I attempt to protest.

He gives me a lopsided smile. “A thank you should be in order.”

“Thank you. Now go.”

He needs to leave. Now. This is not only improper, but it is also too much for my feeble senses. It’s already bad enough that I can feel the strong muscles of his arms, and that if I leaned forward, my chest would brush against his chest and…

I redden instantly.

“My, my. You’re blushing.”

“M-me? Blushing. Of course not,” I stammer.

“Yes. You are.” He chuckles. “You’re so cute.”

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