Page 85 of The Scars I Bare
“It’s just an observation, Cora. It’s not good or bad because it’s all you, remember? The unorganized but always involved mother with the geekiest heart of gold.”
She laughed at my humorous addition as I bent down and kissed her mouth. She tasted of salt and tequila, warm Texas nights and possibilities. I wanted to spend forever exploring every inch of her body with my tongue.
“So, are you going to show me where this hole is, or am I going to be forced into making a bad joke?”
“Actually,” she said, tugging me toward a grove of trees, “it’s just over here.”
Of all the things I’d imagined in my mind, which was actually very little, I hadn’t expected this. Nestled inside the grove of oaks was a large pond. The moon reflected off the water, giving plenty of light as we walked up to the edge.
“It’s a swimming hole,” I said, finally understanding the name.
She nodded. “Or watering hole, if you’re a local.”
I took a moment to look around, spotting what appeared to be a hammock tied between two tree trunks and a small paddleboat at the water’s edge. There was even a rope hanging near us for diving, I assumed.
“This must be a blast during the day,” I said, imagining how apeshit Lizzie was going to be when we brought her here in the morning.
A hand slid around my waist, and my focus was drawn back to her. Only her.
Cora’s eyes dazzled under the moonlit sky as she looked up at me. “It can be a lot of fun at night, too,” she said. “Or so I’ve imagined.”
She stepped back, giving me a full view of every luscious curve of her perfect body. The moment her fingers touched the hemline of her shirt, I knew I had to say something.
Taking her hand in mine, I brought it to my lips. “This doesn’t have to be today, Cora. I said I’d wait, and I meant it. I know you’ve had an emotional day and—”
Her lips halted my words, kissing away any doubts I’d had with a single breathless moment. “I know what I want, Dean,” she said. “And I want you. Right here. Wet and wild, under the stars, in the water—”
It was me who didn’t hesitate that time, kissing her with such passion, I thought we might burn the whole pasture down around us.
When her fingers went for her shirt, this time, I didn’t stop her. This time, my hand followed hers, trailing behind, tracing over her bare skin like I was an explorer on uncharted land. But my hand wasn’t enough. Soon, my lips were everywhere at once. The hollow of her collarbone, the subtle curve of her neck, and the delicate valley between her breasts.
“More,” she murmured, tugging at my shirt. “I want to see more of you.”
I did as she wanted, pulling my shirt up over my head, and watched her eyes roam over my body with desire.
Just seeing her reaction to my half-naked body was enough to make me hard.
Harder than I’d felt in my entire life.
We took our time undressing each other, both knowing this moment, this first, would only come once. I savored the way her skin, still tan from summer, almost seemed to shimmer in the faint light. I brushed my fingers over the tiny scar from Lizzie’s C-section and the scattering of freckles that adorned her breasts.
“Will you make love to me in the water, Dean?” she asked, wrapping her arms around her neck.
I cupped her cheek with my hand. “I’ll make love to you whenever and wherever I can, for however long you’ll allow me the honor, Cora.”
“How does forever sound?” she asked.
“Perfect.”
We moved toward the water before I stopped myself. She turned back, a look of concern in her eyes.
“I can’t go in the water with my prosthesis,” I said, unsure why I still felt nervous about taking it off.
I’d done it once.
I should be over this fear.
Obviously, she sensed my hesitation.
