Page 33 of Crease Collision

“I think the American term is ‘right back atcha.’”

He breaks into a hard laugh I can’t resist joining.

We change places, and I begin with his upper back. His shoulders loosen by degrees, and I lean over to kiss the back of his neck.

His hum is like a cat’s. “That was so nice. Please do it again.”

I do, and his soft “thank you” sounds like he might cry. Kai is clearly not used to being cared for like this.

We do not speak again until he asks me to teach him something in Swedish. I take him through the Swedish for “good morning” and “nice to meet you.”

He dutifully repeats them and seems pleased with himself.

“Your accent is not bad,” I tell him. “You have a good ear for Swedish.”

“I have good inspiration. Those words are a mouthful.”

“You will sound like a native speaker in no time.”

After we sun ourselves for a while, we get back in the water. The other swimmers have gone inside, so we hold each other and trade kisses. Kai is perfect in my arms, bulky and strong, yet so soft with need. I can tell he loves being held.

“It’s wonderful being with you,” he says. “Can we stay like this a little longer?”

I use two fingers to tilt his chin up until I can see his eyes. “We can stay like this as long as you want.”

As he relaxes, I kiss him again. We are in no hurry, and our soft sounds betray our contentment.

It is almost seven o’clock when we go back to his condo. As soon as we step inside, he tells me to wait, then runs down the hall toward the bedrooms. He is back a moment later, wearing dry shorts and toweling his hair. He tosses me a dry towel and says, “You are not dripping chlorinated water all over my floors.”

While I work on my hair, I touch his foot with mine. “You invite me over to swim and are surprised by wetness?”

His ears go pink. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.” I enjoy having his eyes on me as I rub myself down. “But it was fun to say.”

Letting out a little scoff, he heads for the kitchen.

I follow him. “Are you pissed off? Notice how I said that, tutor?”

“I’m deciding.” He gives me a stern look.

“Deciding if you are pissed off at me?”

He shakes his head and treats me to another rumble of laughter. “At myself for giving you opportunities to throw me off balance.”

I lean against the counter. “Too late. I have discovered you are easy to fluster.”

He pulls his head out of the refrigerator and looks back at me. “Easy?”

“Yes. Watch.” I step closer and kiss his neck. “Your shoulders look very strong after swimming.”

His cheeks blaze.

I touch one. “See? Easy.”

“You are a menace.”

“You like me.”