Nathalie broke the surface of the water with a loud, desperate gasp, the air stinging her lungs. She wiped a hand across her face, pushing the cold lake water from her eyes. The sun felt warm on her skin, but a shiver ran through her, a mix of the cold and the adrenaline from her frantic swim.
She wondered if her clumsy performance had gone completely unnoticed. But as she turned to look at the tree where he'd been, she saw him. Jason was standing just a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest, a slow, knowing grin spreading across his face.
Her heart hitched. She hadn't expected him to follow her, to get so close she didn't even think he would have acknowledge her presence by coming down to meet her, but He just stood there, a towering over her and his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her feel like a prey in his sight. His eyes, dark and handsome, watched her every move.
Their eyes met and held. The courage she'd felt just minutes ago seemed to dissolve, carried away by the small currents of the lake. A sudden, deep shyness took over, and she tried to submerge herself back into the water, hoping it would hide the heat creeping into her cheeks.
"Nathalie, wait," he called out, his voice a low rumble. She ignored him, sinking lower, desperate to hide her burning face. Before she could vanish beneath the surface, she heard a heavy splash. Even underwater, she felt the shock of the ripples and the heat of her own embarrassment. He couldn't seriously be in the water with her.
Moments later, strong arms wrapped around her torso, pulling her out of the murky depths. She opened her eyes. The water, illuminated by refracted light, shimmered around them. Then she looked at him closely, his hair billowing out from his head like dark seaweed and his handsome features perfectly framed by the water. Her heart pounded wildly against her ribs as their eyes met again. And he grinned when he saw her flushed face.
He pulled her deeper, his hands never leaving her torso. Surprisingly, she didn't fight. She let him guide her, her body moving with his as if he were a siren, drawing her down to the depths to consume her soul. After a while, he turned her around so they were face to face. He gently brushed her wet, flowing hair from her eyes, his touch sending a jolt through her.
After what felt like an eternity, his hands moved to the back of her neck, holding her lightly, and he drew her closer, Nathalie blinked as she felt a wave of nervousness washed over her and Just as she was about to pull away, Jason's hand tightened on her waist, he tilted his head, and his lips crashed against hers. His mouth felt soft and smooth against hers, and as the kiss deepened, it seemed as though all the nervous thoughts she had were dissolved by the cool waters, she felt the pressure of his mouth, and melted into his embrace. Her lashes fluttered in a wave of pleasured surprise. She leaned into him, resting her hands on his shoulders, completely lost.
After about thirty seconds, she drew back, gasping for a breath. Jason immediately hugged her close and swam them both up to the surface.
Nathalie clung to him, coughing to clear her lungs. He rubbed her back soothingly. She had been so consumed by the kiss that she hadn't realized she had run out of air.
"Do you feel better?" Jason asked, pulling her back slightly to check her face. She nodded, taking deep, shaky breaths to calm herself.
"I'm sorry for keeping you underwater for so long," he said softly. Nathalie's face burned hot as she remembered what had just happened. She lowered her head, refusing to look at him. He chuckled softly and lifted her chin with his index and middle fingers, teasing her until she met his eyes.
His gaze dropped from her face to her chest. The cold water had tightened her skin, and her nipples had hardened into peaks beneath her bikini top. His throat went dry at the sight.
"You look beautiful," he whispered, his voice a low, rough sound.
Her eyelids fluttered at his sudden compliment. When she looked up, the look in his eyes made a gentle heat curl in her body a mix of admiration, warmth, and longing.
"Am I?" she smiled.
He didn't answer her question. He simply grinned, his hand trailing from her face to trace the line of her collarbone. His slow, deliberate movements made her breath catch and her heart beat anxiously. The look in his eyes told her he knew exactly the effect he was having on her.
His index finger continued to trail downward, all the way to her bosom. She held her breath.
Then his long fingers curled around her breasts, although they were covered with the lacy bra, it didn't stop him from softly squeezing her nipple.
"Jason!" she gasped, trying to pull away, but she slipped on the muddy riverbed. She fell backward with a scream, but he was fast enough to catch her and pull her towards him. They both tumbled into a deeper part of the lake, crashing into each other and struggling to stay afloat.
"Stay still so I can hold you!" Jason yelled, his voice strained as she thrashed in the water like a drowning chicken.
"Jason!" she screamed, her voice a mix of panic and frustration.
He swam to her and grabbed her, pulling her out of the deeper water. But as he did, the strings of her bikini top came loose and were swept away by the current.
"Jason, wait!" she screamed, covering her chest with her hands. He turned, surprised by her sudden yell, and the sight of her made his face turn a deep, crimson red.
Ohh' he whispered silently before turning his head away, the sight of Nathalie in such compromising position made is ears and face even redder. He swallowed nervously.
Nathalie was turned to the opposite side as well, away from Jason, she panicked as she hugged herself tighter, had he seen her naked? She thought as her face turned bright red. The atmosphere was so awkward, neither could turn to face the other, so they just floated around awkwardly for a while before he asked without looking back
'are you alright nathy?'
Yes I am' she replied and nodded in response
'I have a shirt in my car, just hold on for a while,I'll go get it for you' he said