Page 6 of Charlie

“Barely twenty.” I grimace and hold up my hands. "I know, I know. I should have listened to everyone that told me to wait."

"You're only twenty-six?” His eyes searched mine, waiting for my response.

I nod. "And I feel like I haven't even had a chance to live yet. How old are you?"

"Thirty-four. An old man compared to you."

"Experience is a good thing," I muse, immediately realizing how it sounds the second the words come out of my mouth. "I did not mean it like that," I stammer, the heat in his eyes lighting me on fire.

I'm boiling alive in these layers. I peel my jacket off, eyeing the water. "Does anyone ever swim?" I ask, fanning my shirt, wondering if he'd be scandalized if I stripped and jumped in.

"Yes, usually only the locals, though. It's freezing – a lot colder than it looks." His gaze slides from the water to my eyes. "Local legend says these pools are what made the fairies immortal."

"Well, in that case..." I shed my flannel and jeans, desperate to make contact with the cool air. Silk whispers over my stomach as I pull off my camisole, gooseflesh taking its place, my heart pounding as I stand there in only my bra and underwear. "Are you coming?" I flip my hair forward and pull it into a high bun, watching Cameron from the corner of my eye. He's stretched out, his hands behind his head, the brim of his hat pushed up, his full attention on me.

"Aye, I was just taking a moment to admire the view." He winks, pulling at his laces, loosening one boot and then the other. His gaze roots me in place as he stands and peels off his socks. Despite the cold, I can feel the crackle of heat between us. I slide his jacket down his arms, tossing it to the rocks. He grasps the bottom of his shirt, ignoring the buttons, and pulls it over his head. I watch his muscles flex as he pulls his pants off, revealing sculpted thighs and boxer briefs that don’t leave much to the imagination.

He links his fingers with mine and guides me toward the pool, supporting me as we pick our way over the rocks.

"Ready?" he asks, pulling me to his side at the pool's edge. I pluck his hat off his head, sling back toward our clothes, then carefully lift his glasses from his face, setting them on a rock where they won't get crushed. We stare at each other for a second, the tension thick.

"Ready," I breathe, floating in this moment like a bubble in a glass of champagne.

"One, two, three... go!" We plunge into the water and come back up spluttering and laughing, our gazes locked and hands intertwined. He pulls me closer, his hands sliding along my skin, coming to rest on my hips. His hair is slicked back, the elegant sweep of his jaw on display. The dark spikes of his eyelashes frame eyes the color of the sky. His gaze drops to my lips. My stomach tightens.

Caressing my cheek with one hand, he uses the other to pull me tight against his body. He bends down to me, his nose brushing mine gently before his lips melt into mine. I cling to him, my buoyancy making it hard to keep my footing. His hands sweep down over my backside and hook on my thighs as he backs up to the pool's edge, setting me on a rock just under the water. He sprinkles tiny kisses on my ear, my neck, and the swell of my chest. My nipples harden, begging for his touch. He pulses between my legs, setting my entire body on fire. I whimper, pulling his mouth back to mine. He deepens the kiss, his tongue dipping in to taste me. Sliding his hand up, his thumb caresses the side of my breast. I arch into him, desperate for his touch.

"Dr. MacDonald?"

He nips my bottom lips, his eyes hooded. "Fuck."

"Here!" he calls, angling his head so his voice will carry over the sound of the waterfall.

One of the students pokes her head over the lip of the pool. "Are you able to help Tanner and I?"

"Of course. Give me a minute." Once she disappears again, he presses a gentle kiss to my lips. He brushes his thumb over my cheek, his gaze intense. "I'll never forget this, Charlie." He sighs. "Time to activate teacher mode." We climb out of the pool together, our teeth chattering after thirty seconds. He scoops me into a hug, nestling his face into my neck. "Thank you for coming today," he murmurs into my hair.

"Thank you for bringing me; I loved it." Today will be burned into my memory forever.

He presses his forehead to mine, and I drown in the endless pools of his eyes. "I'll be in the field this weekend, so I won't be able to make it to dinner Sunday. Can I see you the weekend after?"

"Yes. Please," I say, not even trying to play it coy. I like him—a lot.

He smiles, cupping my jaw, catching my lips with his. The kiss is filled with inevitability. We're at a tipping point and there is no going back.

6

Idaydream about Cameron at the most inconvenient times, like when I'm supposed to be working. I've caught myself staring into space several times over the last half an hour.

It's a problem.

I sigh, frustrated with my lack of progress. Get with it, Charlie. If I don't get further in my research soon, it will jeopardize my finish date. I can't do that to Arty – especially with him footing the bill for this trip. I need to get shit done now, so I don't feel guilty spending time with Cameron on Sunday. I scrub my hands over my face and gulp down the rest of my coffee. I can do this.

The following week passes the same way; only my daydreams are getting more explicit by the day. This wasn't the first time I've found myself squeezing my thighs together while looking up Arty's ancestors in the tiny registry office. I slam my laptop closed and walk back to the flat. Cameron will be here tomorrow. I don't know what to expect. As far as I know, he doesn't ever stay overnight, and there's no way we can disappear to my room for a couple of hours – the walls are thin, and I refuse to put Cameron or his parents in that position.

My phone dings, startling me. It's Cameron. My heart hammers in my chest.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

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