Page 130 of The Vacation Mix-Up
“If I grow a third leg, I’m blaming you.”
I flick my eyes to his shorts, then back up again. “I thought you already had one.”
Riley neighs like a horse, and I double over with laughter.
“Oh my God! Please don’t do that. I’m equinophobic, remember?” I tease.
“Don’t you mean Benophobic?”
“Yeah… that.”
Galloping forward, he tugs me to follow, and we’re soon walking hand in hand across the boardwalk and over a wooden footbridge to a quieter spot in the lagoon.
“Wow!” I gasp, carefully descending the manmade steps into the pool before lowering myself into the fetid yet luxuriously balmy water. “It’s so warm and… silky.” I submerge to my shoulders, twirling with elation. “I can’t believe I’m here. This place is surreal.”
Riley pauses on the last step before letting go of the railing and tentatively walking toward me. “Why’s the ground squishy?”
“It’s silica mud.”
“Are you sure I’m not going to turn into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?”
I giggle. “I’m sure. Although…”
He pauses again. “Although what?”
“Try not to get your hair wet.”
“Why?”
“Because it might snap off.”
“What?”
“I’m kidding… kinda.”
Raking my fingers through the velvety water, I wade to a spot underneath the bridge and crouch down. “I’ve always wanted to visit here. One of the cover designers at work is from Iceland, and she told me about this place. She said locals don’t tend to come here, but tourists love it.”
He ducks down too. “Smells like ass, but I can see the appeal.”
Taking a deep breath, I attempt to regulate the sulfur scent.
“Did you just willingly breathe in the ass-air?”
“No. I mean, yes. I mean, I’m trying to get used to it.”
“And how’s that working out for you?”
I exhale harshly through my nose. “It’s not.”
Chuckling, he inches toward me, his laughter dying off, his pupils dilating. My body instantly reacts, tingling as I swirl around him, his lascivious stare peppering my skin with goose bumps. The luxurious water, the steam, the exotic atmosphere… it’s incredibly sensual and like nothing I’ve ever experienced, especially with a man I’m wildly attracted to. The setting is both alluring and somewhat nerve-wracking.
Kneeling before me, he reaches out and threads his fingers through mine, gently tugging me closer until I’m flush with his chest. “Hey,” he murmurs, voice low.
“Hey.” I bite my lip and rest my hands on his shoulders, studying the hard and soft edges of his face, his youthful yet weathered skin, the gleam in his eyes, and the kindness of his inquisitive smile.
“You want to kiss me again, don’t you?”
Dipping my head, I say, “Yes,” then slide my fingers into his hair and press my lips to his, the temperature of my body once again matching our geothermal environment.
