Melting the Ice(101)

            “Really. What kind of nefarious plans?”

            “First, we’re going to take a swim, so get out of those clothes.”

            “I like the sound of that.” She pulled off her top and her capris, then slid into the water, which felt warm and glorious. She swam a few laps side by side with Drew, who then scooped her into his arms and swung her around before dunking them both. She came up laughing, and then he took them under again, this time kissing her underwater. She wrapped her arms around his neck, loving the buoyant feel of the water and the way his lips felt on hers.

            When they surfaced, she turned in his arms and wrapped her legs around him.

            “This is a good start,” he said, pushing through the water toward the cement stairs. He sat her on the edge, then untied her bikini top, letting it fall to her waist.

            Undaunted, she untied the back and tossed the top to the side of the pool. “Part of your nefarious plans?”

            “I’m only just beginning. But first, sunscreen for you.”

            “Oh, that’s right. We’re in the sun again.”

            Drew got out, water dripping from his body as he headed over to the supply cabinet on the covered veranda. There was such fluidity to his movements, the way he walked with such ease and confident masculinity.

            It was the same as when he was on the ice. When he skated, whether he was coasting or zooming along at some crazed speed, it was a beautiful thing to behold. She was mesmerized by him, and she’d caught each of his games when they were apart this past week. Not just for the lines and watching the movements of his body, but also because she’d missed him.

            Which was a dilemma she had decided not to think about today.

            He came back with lotion, pouring some in his hands. “Lean forward,” he said.

            She did, pulling her hair out of the way so he could spread the lotion across her back and down her arms. His motions were thorough, and yet slow and sensual, heating up her body more than the sun had. Each touch was a caress, as if he was learning her body for the first time. He swirled the lotion down her spine and across her back, all the way to her bikini bottoms.

            “Now, lean back.”

            She smiled up at him as he spread more lotion on his hands, then began at the front of her shoulders, moving his way inward, toward her collarbone, cupping her neck in his hands and using slight pressure of his thumbs as he caressed her throat. She watched his face when he did this, his expression so serious, as if he wanted to make sure to cover every inch of her skin. His brows knit tight in concentration, his lips compressed. She had to smile at how seriously he took this task.

            She swallowed as he made his way down across her collarbone. He cupped her breasts, teasing her nipples until they tingled.

            He lingered at her breasts, using his thumbs to brush across the aching buds until she arched against him. Then he looked up at her, and the heat and desire in his eyes made her breath catch.

            “I like you touching me,” she said, watching as he continued to tease and torment her nipples.

            “You have the most beautiful breasts, Lina. I could play with them all day, watching your nipples harden. And from the way you move when I touch you, I know you like me lingering here.” He proved it by swirling his thumbs over her tingling nipples. Her lips parted, her breaths coming out in fast pants.

            “Yes, that feels so good.”

            “And there’s more of you I want to touch.”

            He moved down to her stomach, putting more lotion in his hands and rolling across her abdomen, her hips, her lower belly, and then lifting each leg to rub and caress every part of her, all the way down to her calves. It was a soft, lingering sensual massage that awoke every nerve ending in her body.