Page 46 of Dancing With Lies

“She might, but that’s not happening.” He kicked at a piece of driftwood and stopped caring about how much his shoes cost. “I don’t have any intentions of dating Tanya, no matter what she might think she wants.”

“I hope she figures that out, sooner rather than later.” Roxie wrapped her arms around her waist and looked out at the water, staring at a spot where he could see the moonlight lit up the sea out in the distance. “I’d almost buy a small yacht so I could disappear out on the ocean, be alone, away from everyone.”

“Why would you do that?” He couldn’t imagine the fun-loving, usually cheerful woman he knew being happy alone on the ocean.

“Because then nobody would be able to break my heart again.” She whispered, almost as if she didn’t want him to hear her. “It’d be more peaceful, wouldn’t it?”

She spoke louder on the last sentence. She turned her head to look at him, and he looked at her again with admiration. Strength oozed from her, even if he could see the way her smile trembled, as if about to collapse into a frown.

“I guess, but it would be boring. What would you do?” They stood there and that was fine, even if it was late. He was tired, but he’d stand here with her all night if that was what she needed.

“I don’t know. It’s just something I’ve considered when I’m a little overwhelmed with the world. I’d be like Kevin Costner in Waterworld, traveling the globe alone, with no one depending on me.”

“Yeah, but he ends up with two dependents by the end.” He reminded her and she frowned at him with consternation.

“Spoilsport.”

“Maybe so, but it’s reality.” He shrugged and gave a slight nod of his head. “People need people, even when they want to be alone.”

“You mean like I do now?” She cringed at what she’d said so bluntly and rushed to fix her blunder. “Not that I mind your company, it’s just that I’d usually hide in my apartment until I’d got everything that has happened figured out, absorbed it, you know? Then I’d face the world.”

“I can go in if you’d prefer to be alone. Or we can sort out one of the bedrooms for you now and I can leave you in peace.”

“No, despite what I said, I like having you here now. I never thought I’d say something like that, but yeah, I’m glad you’re here Lincoln.” She shrugged this time and started to strip down. “Ever been skinny dipping in the ocean?”

“Uh, no.” He immediately answered, staring at her in worry. Was this safe? He’d seen Jaws, he knew what happened to people swimming in the ocean at night. Besides, what if there were rip currents they couldn’t see?

“It’s fine, there’s not a prehistoric shark down there looking to chomp your dick off, or anything like that.” She laughed with a huge grin and he watched as she walked towards the edge of the water, completely comfortable with her own nudity.

“Roxie, don’t.” He stopped her, fear for her safety overwhelming him when he realized how reckless this was. “You could be swept out to sea, or…”

“Or what, Lincoln? Burned alive in a fire? Get a knife in my heart for not giving up something I own? Be killed for a stupid reason beyond my control? It’s not like simply choosing to live comes without risks, you know?” She turned to him, unashamed of what she had to display. He tried not to let her nudity distract him, but she had a beautiful body, an incredibly beautiful body. “We aren’t safe from life, Lincoln. Sometimes a risk is a good thing. It reminds you of why you choose to keep breathing.”

“But...” He started, but she’d turned away to walk into the foamy surf. He couldn’t let her go in there alone and started to strip off his clothes. Normally he only wore suits, but since he’d moved down here, he’d invested in some shorts and t-shirts for wearing around the house. “Roxie, wait for me.”

“No, slowpoke. Keep up or stay behind.” She called with reckless abandon as she dove into a wave.

She’d forgotten he was a competitive swimmer then, he thought with a grin. He’d won medal after medal. Catching her would be child’s play.

He was a powerful swimmer and despite the darkness, he could see her in the blaze of moonlight. He swam towards her with sure strokes that propelled him towards her like a torpedo that had found a target. He wasn’t sure what he should do when he caught her, but he’d think of something.

She swerved away from him when he was almost near enough to grab a slim foot. He had to give it to her, she was a good swimmer. He changed directions and decided to let her have her way. She’d had a nasty surprise waiting for her at home tonight, she needed to distract herself. The tug and pull of the ocean would exert her enough that she might be able to get some sleep.

He kept an eye on her while he treaded water, making sure she didn’t go out too far or get into trouble. His worry slipped away as she moved in the water. She finally swam up to him, watching him as they both moved to stay above the surging ocean around them. “So how do you like it?”

“Like what?” The question could have been about anything, so he asked for clarification.

“You can be so obtuse, Lincoln. Skinny dipping in the ocean, duh.” She gave him a look of exasperation that melted into a smile.

“Ah, that. It’s not bad. As you said, my dick hasn’t been bitten off yet.” His grin was less smirk and more relief. “Not that I was actually worried about that until you reminded me.”

“I see.” She swam closer and he watched her, wondering what she had in mind now. “So you’re perfectly capable then.”

“Of?” His left eyebrow quirked, and he noticed how her lips twitched and her eyes widened a little. Was she…?

“Fucking me. What else?”

The air seemed to rush out of his lungs when she answered. He stared at her, shocked at her bluntness. Not that he should be, not now that he’d gotten to know this new version of her better.