Page 68 of Almost Priest

The water crested her knees and her body shivered. Colin held her close and never lessened his grip on her hand.

By the time her lower belly was wet she was anxious to move in up to her shoulders to slow the chill of the night air upon her flesh.

Colin moved her in front of him and held her back flush against his heated body as he guided them deeper. She had a moment of panic when her feet lost contact with the ground, the picturesque lake suddenly a deep abyss, but Colin didn’t let her thoughts take over.

His hands caressed her under the fluid weight of the water. His touch never moved beyond her stomach or shoulders, but her body awakened nonetheless.

When they reached the point they had gone to previously, Colin turned her to face him. He expected her to try to float on her own.

He widened his arms and held her by the hands as her body coasted away from his. Her legs instinctively kicked and swirled beneath her, working to keep her head above water.

She found it easiest to work in a pattern of swirl- swirl-kick, the swirls using less energy than the kicks. Her fingers gripped his hands tightly. They were her training wheels. Colin smiled and gently instructed her on ways to move her body.

When she noticed that he too was floating and no longer had his feet on the ground her concentration broke and she lost her pattern. The break in her momentum caused Sam to sink slightly. The moment the water touched her jaw she panicked and sputtered and instinctively reached for Colin’s body and tried to climb up his broad shoulders.

He laughed softly. “It’s okay. You’re doing fine. I got you.”

It took him being insistent and heavy-handed, but he somehow managed to pry her off of him.

“That’s it. Just keep kicking.” His left hand released her right hand. “Now swirl your arm around. Don’t panic or move too fast. It’s like peddling a bike. Sometimes a long slow stroke’s all you need.”

Sam was breathing fast, but more from nerves than exertion. She held his right hand tightly in her left and swirled sideways figure eights with her right on the other side of her. Her feet found their pattern again, his larger feet acting as their rudder.

When they faced the little floating dock in the distance she saw they were moving forward. Her legs now hung slightly behind her rather than below and with each kick she propelled herself closer to the dock. Understanding what she was doing she smiled.

“I’m doing it! I’m swimming!”

“Yes you are!” Colin laughed, finding as much joy in her achievement as she. “Come on. Let’s see if we can make it to the dock.”

She mentally measured the distance and refused to let her mind see it as daunting. It was a goal she needed to accomplish, a right of passage that would say more about her self-preservation and resolve than anything else could. Steeling herself for the crossing, she took a good deep breath and kicked long and hard.

They swam in silence, Samantha’s focus never leaving the prize. Colin held her hand and they became one, united, unsinkable. Faster than she thought possible the small dock loomed before her, much bigger than it had appeared from the beach.

Her movements became uncoordinated as her muscles began to quit a moment too soon and her mind tried to figure out what to do now. Needing her right arm to continue swirling to keep her afloat, she did the only thing she could. Her survival instincts took over and she released Colin’s hand and slapped her palm onto the cool weathered wood of the floating dock.

His hands caught the wood and they each slowed to catch their breath and give their muscles a moment to revive. He grinned at her, shimmering blue eyes flecked with green glittered like the two deep pools of water. She could drown in those eyes.

He pointed out a ladder she hadn’t noticed and instructed her to climb out so they could take a rest. Although her legs shook, her mind was wide-awake, adrenaline pumping through her at her major accomplishment.

She climbed out of the water and stood on the dock. Her eyes took in her new vantage point and saw the beautiful view anew. When she turned full circle, cataloging the spectacular panoramic display, Colin was standing before her.

Rivulets of water slipped over his chest. His damp flesh appeared blue under the moonlit sky.

Her body shivered as a breeze kissed her shoulders. Sam wondered if these mountains could talk or if the wind was God’s whisper to them.

Colin’s smile faded and he looked at her in a manner she had never seen before. There was such unspoken meaning in his expression. Her smile fell as well. His hand reached for hers, squeezing reassuringly. Sam stepped closer. Slowly, without haste, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

His mouth was warm, a contrast to their cooling skin. She stepped into Colin’s arms and he held her as he kissed her. Her hair was wet at the tips and the pieces clumped together over his arm that had wrapped around her back. Her panties had sealed themselves over her flesh like a second skin and her breasts hung heavily as she pressed them into his chest.

Her fingers traveled over his broad sturdy shoulders and down his arms. His tongue tickled hidden corners of her mouth and teased the soft pillows of her lips. Seemingly in accordance, they both lowered to the dock as one, Colin holding her as he guided her to her back.

His mouth nipped at her jaw and sipped from the crevice between her shoulder and neck. She arched and sighed when her nipples abraded against his flesh. His palm reached for her breast and squeezed her. She needed the pressure, needed to know he held her tight, not by chance, but out of want.

His thumb tripped over her nipple and his lips found her other breast. The heat of his mouth enclosing over her hardened tip was heaven. He suckled her breasts deeply until they became red and pointed. His tongue passed his lips and she watched as he licked at each proud peak. When his gaze met hers, she saw the shameless seduction in his eyes and her insides melted.

Colin’s hands found the edge of her panties and peeled them away from her hips. The material slurped and clung as he tried to separate it from her skin and they giggled. He tossed the wet material aside and it landed with a soft splat.

Heavy palms slowly pressed her knees wide. If ever there was an expression of reverence, Colin was wearing it. Lowering his head, he brought his mouth to her sex and softly kissed her there.

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