Page 57 of Lemon Drop

“I'd rather have you wet.”

I ignored that and walked past him, adding a little extra sway to my hips for his benefit before I descended the swim ladder. The water was deliciously warm, a refreshing contrast to the afternoon heat. I pushed away from the yacht, enjoying the silky feeling against my skin. Beneath me, sunlight danced across the sandy bottom, illuminating scattered shells and patches of seagrass. I barely had time to get my bearings before Saadiq slipped into the water behind me and circled my waist with his arms.

“Now, where were we?”

I sighed. “Swimming, Saadiq, remember?”

“Right.”

He kissed my shoulder.

“Saadiq!”

“What?”

“We’re supposed to be enjoying the ocean.”

“I’on know about you, but I’m enjoying the hell out of it.”

I turned in his arms, laughing. “You so crazy.”

“And you fine as fuck.”

He kissed me, and I immediately forgot what I was objecting to. His lips moved over mine, gentle but firm, exploring my mouth slowly. I wrapped my arms around his neck, allowing him to support my weight as I returned his kiss. His beard brushed my chin, and I couldn’t resist running my fingers through the soft hairs.

When he finally lifted his head, I was breathing a little harder than swimming required.

“See? This why I can’t get nothing done around you,” he complained.

I kissed my teeth. “Me? You the one who won’t keep his hands to himself!”

“Look at you, looking how you looking. You expect me to?”

“Yes! It’s called self-control. You should try it sometime.”

“Been trying it for six and a half years, Apple. Shit is wearing thin.”

I swallowed, unsure what to say about that. Before I could respond, he released me and started swimming toward the reef.

“Come on. Let’s go see what we can find.”

I watched him cut through the water with powerful, strokes.

“You just gon’ leave me?” I protested.

He rolled onto his back.

“You wanted to swim, didn’t you?”

Oh, this bastard. I smiled and took off after him.

We swam toward the shallow reef, stopping occasionally to float on our backs and admire the pretty blue sky. Saadiq kept pace beside me, slowing down whenever I did and pointing out anything he thought I missed.

About fifty yards from the yacht, we came across a school of tiny silver fish that moved together in a shimmering cloud. They scattered when Saadiq approached, darting around his legs before coming together again a few feet away.

“Oh! Look at them!” I gasped.

He grinned. “You never seen fish before?”