Page 35 of Fools in Love

On either side of the cove’s opening there were high rocky cliffs with massive pine trees that hung over the edge in places. The cove’s entrance was narrow enough that it kept larger boats out. The only way to the sandy beach was by small boat.

The beach itself was only a hundred or so feet wide and long. Behind it sat another large cliff easily fifty feet high and full of dark rocks. Even if someone owned the land above, they would have to build a long staircase to get to the private area.

Normally, the water was a dark blue with the waves crashing onto the sandy shore, but today the ocean was calm, and the water had settled to a deep emerald green.

He could even see some of the larger rocks at the bottom of the cove, under the water.

He set the cooler and basket down on the blanket and sat next to Kate.

“Want to go for a swim?” he asked. “Or food first?”

“Swim,” she said eagerly, and started unwrapping her knee.

When her scar was exposed, he leaned closer and looked at it, tracing the small L-shaped scar gently with his fingertip. Her white skin was a little puckered and pink around the area, but it looked better than any scars he’d had. Her skin was practically healed, but he knew that underneath, the damage was probably far worse.

It would take time before she could trust her body again. He was sure the physical therapy helped. He knew that she worked more and more on that leg every time they hit the gym.

Dr. Stevens had agreed to allow her to start some exercises to build up her muscles around that area again.

But this was the first time he was getting a look at the scar.

“Does it hurt?” he asked.

“No, not now. When I try to do something that I shouldn’t, like putting too much weight on it or twisting my knee the wrong way, I get sharp pains. Which is why I move slowly.”

Kate set her water bottle down and then pulled off her shoes, her shorts, and her tank top.

His mouth watered as he watched her striptease.

“Well?” she said, looking over at him.

He jumped into motion. He removed his shirt and shoes so quickly that, if he’d been standing, he was pretty sure he would have fallen over.

“Help me to the water?” she asked as she held out her hands to him.

He stood and then pulled her up from the sand. Instead of helping her, he lifted her into his arms and carried her into the calm water.

She laughed and then gasped when they hit the cold water.

“It’s deceiving. It’s warm out today, but the water is freezing,” she complained with a chuckle.

“We’ll get used to it.” He walked in deeper until their shoulders were almost under water.

Kate pushed off away from him and started swimming in circles around him. She ducked under water, and he laughed when she pulled him down playfully.

“The water is so clear here you can see the bottom,” she said when she surfaced.

“I brought along some snorkeling gear.” He motioned to the bag.

“Later,” she said, pulling him under again.

As she rubbed her body up against his, he wondered just how he was going to make it through the day without bursting.

Her hands wrapped around his arms and played over his shoulders and back. Was she doing that on purpose? Was she trying to kill him?

They lost track of time playing in the water, flirting and teasing one another until they were both breathless.

After swimming for almost half an hour, he retrieved the snorkeling masks. The anti-leak, anti-fog all-in-one mask and snorkel sets were one of the best purchases he’d ever made.