Page 28 of Seeking Stars
"Just letting out some nerves."
"Okay, let me show you. I'll let go of your hand and jump over a wave, dive under another. Just keep lifting your feet so that they don't sink in the sand."
"What if a big wave comes?"
"Go back a little so that the water is lower but you can still see me clearly."
She let go of his hand and went back. She watched him diving over and under waves, like he and the ocean were on opposing teams. After a few minutes of that, he came back to her. He ran his fingers through his wet hair to pull it back; he had drops all over his shoulders, chest and abs. Her lower belly tingled. Her mouth watered.
She made herself look back up to his eyes. "It really did look like you were playing a game."
He gave her a knowing look. She ignored it. "It feels like that."
"Have you ever had a wave throw you down for a tumble?"
He grinned. "Many times."
She must have made a face because he laughed.
"Hasn’t happened since I turned fifteen and was big enough to be a match for the waves, and had enough wisdom in me to know when not to risk it."
"I'll have to count on your body mass and brain, then," she said, asking for his hand. He gave it to her.
"That's fine. And your body mass will do just fine." He cast a barely concealed appreciative gaze down her curves.
They reached the spot where water mostly flowed around her hips. She gained basic confidence as she met the white water with her side, squeezing Liam's hand hard enough to crunch his bones together. He didn't complain once.
"Oh no," she exclaimed as a big wave swept towards them. It rolled in fast, white water threatening to reach up to her shoulders. Her brain deduced she should dive under it like she'd seen Liam do, but she wasn't ready for that. The small wall of white surf approached swiftly and, despite her best efforts to control her terror, a scream escaped her.
Instinctually, without letting go of his hand, she stepped into Liam's body and used her free hand to grab his neck. He chuckled; he gripped her waist and pulled her in close. He broke the wave for her, his wide shoulders taking most of its force. Salt water splashed all over them.
He didn't let go of her; water rushed around them and past them. Tendrils of her hair had gotten loose from her ponytail, and now stuck flatly on her temples. She lifted her face to him. His eyes sparkled as he focused on her, a wondrous grin on his face. Her heart skipped a beat and, as they continued to look at each other, his smile seemed to falter.
"My feet aren't touching the sand." Her eyes roamed over his face. His beard had some red to it when wet. Another wave broke against his back.
He held her hand between them, close to his shoulder. His other hand still held her securely against his broad chest. He stared into her eyes for another second but broke the connection, turning his sight to the horizon.
The spell broken, her brain offered an overwhelming catalog of just how much of her skin touched his, of the flutter in her heart, and the confusion in her mind. He might have looked at her lips but she wasn't sure; he had turned away so quickly.
"Okay, don't let go," he said without releasing her. He made his way further into the water, taking her with him. His hand remained firm on the flesh of her back, digging pleasurably into the softness of it. "Depending on how much the sand has changed since last night, we may be able to cross the breaking point, then you won't have to worry about the waves until you get more comfortable in the water."
He took them past the breaking point and she avoided looking at his face again, setting her eyes on the horizon and incoming waves. She had no control over her heartbeat, and she hoped he couldn't feel it drumming against him.
Right when she found her calm again, they went up a few feet as they rode a wave that hadn't broken.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, enjoying the sensation. "I liked that!"
"You did, huh?" He grinned at her.
"It's like a roller coaster drop!"
They stayed at that point, letting her get used to the ups and downs of the waves before they crested. He must have noticed she'd relaxed; he let go of her and, a little bit later, her hand as well.
***
Ana followed Liam out of the water. Her body grew heavier with each step, gravity suddenly strong after spending so much time in the weightless environment of the sea. Without discussing it, they each sat on one of the lounge chairs and let the warm air dry them up. After sunbathing for a while, Liam offered to get something to drink; Ana set up the camera from its spot on the railing, this time looking at the cabin and at them.
He gave her a glass and both sat back on the chairs. She brought her knees up and rested her temple on them, gazing at him.
