“I really like your family. And your mum will want to spend more time with you before we leave. I’ll be in her bad books if I keep you away.”
Hooking an arm around her middle, he pulled her gently back onto the blanket. “I’d definitely rather just hang out with you.”
Her stomach fluttered wildly when he kissed her, and all thoughts of taking their physical relationship slowly were lost in a wave of desire. Pulling him on top of her, she kissed him greedily, only pausing for breath when a dog barked nearby. They both looked along the beach to where a man was throwing a stick for the excited German shepherd.
Keira nudged Noah off her. “We might be getting a bit carried away considering we’re on a public beach.”
“It’s all your fault.”
She laughed. “Oh, really? You seemed like a fairly willing victim.”
“Very willing,” he said, standing. “But now I’m going to have to get in that very cold water to cool off.”
“Have fun,” she teased as he pulled his T-shirt off.
“You’re coming too. You’ve got a swimsuit on, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” He’d told her before they’d left that they’d be able to swim, but she’d put her feet in the water when they arrived and decided swimming had been an optimistic suggestion. “The water’s freezing. There’s no way I’m getting in.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to.” Taking her hand, he pulled her up.
“I’ll go in up to my knees,” she said, stripping down to her bikini. “But that’s all I’ll manage without a wetsuit.”
“It’s fine once you’re in and moving around,” Noah told her, near the water’s edge. The water looked as though it should be the temperature of a warm bath, but it was more like an ice bath.
“Yes, because I’ll go completely numb!” A wave swept around her feet, making her gasp, while Noah wandered in as though he didn’t feel the cold at all.
“Come on.” He raised his eyebrows as he held his hand out to her. “You can’t let me go in alone.”
“Stop looking at me with big eyes!”
He pouted dramatically. “Please come for a swim.”
With a sigh, she took his hand. A shiver ran up her whole body as she stepped further into the water.
“You have to get in quickly,” Noah said, dropping her hand and striding forwards. “It’s worse if you linger for too long.”
“It’s freezing,” she complained, fighting her instinct to run back up to the beach.
With the water around his waist, Noah grinned at her then fell backwards, submerging himself. He emerged with a shudder that did nothing to encourage her into the water.
“It’s not so bad,” he said unconvincingly.
“I might wimp out and go for a nap in the sun.”
“I can dunk you if you want?”
“No.” She gave a nervous laugh when he moved towards her with mischief written all over his face. “I’ll get in. Just don’t dunk or splash me!” Holding her breath, she forced her knees to buckle and dropped down so her shoulders were under the water line. She gasped loudly and inhaled short shaky breaths while Noah laughed at her. “Why did you make me do this?” she demanded.
“It’s good for you. Swim around a bit and you’ll be glad I encouraged you.”
He was right; after a few minutes of swimming, she got used to the cold and concluded that it was lovely and refreshing.
“I love it,” she said, floating on her back beside Noah. “I can see why you want to move back here.” As soon as the words left her lips she regretted them. The last thing she wanted was a reminder of his leaving. Just the thought of it made her chest feel tight. “Where will you live when you move back?” She’d been avoiding asking too much about it, but it wasn’t as though not knowing the details would change anything.
“In the cottage.”
“Where we’re staying?”