Page 53 of Kissing Games
‘Charlie!’ she yelled, slapping at his back.
He tried to stop laughing, but every time he tried to speak, it started up again.
‘Huevón! This is serious! There’s a monster in the lake!’
At the word ‘monster’ he bent forward, doubling over, laughing so much he was almost silent, making little wheezing sounds every time he tried to draw breath.
She relaxed a little. If it was this funny, could it really be that bad? Eventually his laughs petered out and he stood straight, holding the back of her legs against his chest.
‘Are your eyes still closed?’
‘Yes, Valentina, they are.’
‘What is so funny, Charlie? There was something in the lake. I felt it.’
He kissed the side of her bottom as she lay over his shoulder. ‘Valentina, my love. The “monster” was awakened by you. The “monster” you felt, was my, er…’ He cleared his throat. ‘My, er.’
She sagged over his shoulder in mortification and groaned.
He walked them out of the water and gently lowered her to the ground, his eyes still closed. ‘You’ve got the towels. Use them all. Get dry and dressed as quickly as possible. I don’t want you catching a chill.’
‘What about you?’ Her teeth chattered as she spoke.
‘I’ll use my T-shirt. Now go before I open my eyes.’
She limped to her clothes and pulled a towel out of the bag. She was so cold she couldn’t feel her skin as she rubbed it. Her limbs were shaking violently and she could barely control her breath. She pulled her clothes on and ran to the water’s edge. Charlie was facing away, his clothes back on.
‘Are you dressed?’ he asked.
‘Yes, and I can’t stop shaking.’
He opened his eyes and looked at her with concern. ‘Let’s get you back and warmed up.’
17
Valentina’s teeth were still chattering uncontrollably when they arrived back at the castle.
Charlie rubbed her freezing hands in his. ‘I’ll grab the thermometer from the first aid kit in the kitchen. Go straight to your room and get into bed.’
She stared at him in shock.
‘Fully clothed,’ he grinned. ‘Keep your hat and gloves on too.’
Back in her room, she left the door unlocked, took off her boots and got into bed, pulling the covers up so only her nose was showing.
Charlie strode in a minute after and sat on the edge of the bed. ‘I just need your ear.’
She turned her head to one side and he brushed her hair out of the way, sending tingles down her body.
‘Friends, Romans, Colombians, lend me your ears,’ he proclaimed as there was a beep and he put the tip in her ear.
‘You are so silly, Charlie,’ she shivered. She heard another beep and turned to look at him.
He was frowning. ‘Let me do that again.’ He put it back and there was another beep followed by a sigh. ‘Thirty-four point five. You’re clinically hypothermic. Fuck!’ He leapt off the bed. ‘Don’t move. I’m going to get the fire going, then get you a hot drink.’
She pushed herself up. ‘What’syourtemperature? What about you?’
‘Back under the covers,’ he ordered. He fiddled with the controls on the radiators. ‘I’m fine. No one would miss me if I was gone, but the universe would implode if anything happened to you.’
