One Funeral (No Weddings #2)(40)

As he moved to climb down in, I gripped the rough wood of the boathouse floor to keep us stable.

Cade took his seat, grinning wide. “You’re facing the wrong direction, Maestro.”

With care not to rock us too much, I twisted around.

His hands closed over mine, laced into my fingers, and then he guided them up to the oars. “Put your hands here.” At his instruction, I obeyed, wrapping my hands around the smooth wood. “Keep a loose hold. They’re secured into the hull, so they aren’t going anywhere. Good.

“Now bend forward, extending your arms in front of you. That’s it. And lean back, pulling them up and toward you. Exactly. You’ve got it.”

The strokes were easy and natural, and with both of us synchronized, we began gliding backward. This close to the surface, the quiet rushing sound the scull made as we sliced through the water was oddly peaceful. Soothing. A slow burn worked into my muscles while I watched Cade’s movements in my peripheral vision, matching them.

Together, we became a team, racing along as if gliding on ice. The scenery was spectacular, the greens and grays of trees and houses transforming into a moving watercolor.

“Ease up, Maestro.”

Watching his hands, I mimicked his actions, slowing my strokes until we pressed down on the oars, causing the ends to lift out of the water.

Then we coasted. The two of us, one with our craft, became a part of the world around us. The cold nip of the wind went ignored as a huge smile cramped my cheeks. Closing my eyes, I inhaled the fresh mineral scent, threw my arms wide, and fell backward, my head landing in Cade’s lap. When I opened them, he grinned down at me.

“Pretty amazing, yes?”

I nodded. “Incredible. Let’s steal this.”

He chuckled. “Thirty minutes ago you were worried about trespassing. Now you’ve moved up to theft. What’s next? Bank robbery?”

I scowled. “Shush. You’re ruining the moment.”

He leaned down and kissed me. Upside down. Hot, tender lips pressed into mine before he sucked in my lower lip, tugging for a second before releasing it as he pulled away. “And now?” He arched a brow; his blue eyes blazed electric.

I smiled, warmth spreading through my body. “Moment saved.”

For the next hour or more, we glided along the waterway. Cade pointed out landmarks he recognized as the shadows grew in length. Even though the sun still shone brightly, hung low in the afternoon sky, there was a slight chill to the breeze, and I shivered. By the time we glided back into the boathouse, my body temperature had dropped a little, but my spirits soared.

Then my random idiocy stole away my common sense; when we parked in the slip, I stood.

The sudden shift caused the scull to wobble furiously, and I lost my balance. “Shit!”

“Hannah!”

I fell forward, and the wooden edge of the boathouse dock flew toward my face. I threw my arms up, shielding my eyes as my body hit freezing water. Pain fired into my cheek and forearms while I clung to the edge of the boat slip, opposite of where we’d climbed in.

“Fuck. Hannah, are you okay?” Cade bent over me. His strong hands gripped my biceps, and he lifted me out of the water.

Shivering, I stood there, feeling like a complete moron. “I’m s-so sorry. I have n-no idea what I was th-thinking.” My teeth chattered. “Clearly, I w-wasn’t. At all.”

He touched my cheek, and I winced. His eyes narrowed. “Only a shallow cut, but it’s going to bruise. Anywhere else hurt?”

I held up my arms for his inspection. He nodded.

Then, before I could process what was happening, Cade had pulled my shirt over my head. I blinked as he tugged at the button of my jeans. “Wh-what are you d-d-doing?”

He glared at me. “You will freeze to death if you don’t get out of these clothes.”

I swallowed hard. “But…”

He arched a brow, his hands already sliding my soggy jeans over my hips. “I didn’t plan this, Maestro, but I’m warm and dry. You’re freezing and wet. Kick your shoes off.”

I did as he asked, and he gave no further explanation. Common sense slowly returned, and I understood the reason for his quick actions. But I now stood in front of him in nothing but…

We both glanced down between us as I stepped out of the soggy mess. Goose bumps were permanently branded on my flesh. Lots and lots of skin was exposed, and the only thing keeping me from being completely naked in front of a man for the first time in two years was a sheer, lilac lace bra and the matching scrap of a thong.

Cade sucked in a deep breath, furrowing his brow, raising his gaze to mine. “Damn.” The word was an awe-filled whisper.

Before I had time to react—to be embarrassed or gauge his reaction—he stripped his thin jacket off and wrapped it around me, shoving my hands into the armholes. Then he led me over to a bench and sat down, pulling me down onto his lap.

Seeking more of his incredible heat, I curled into him while he wrapped his arms around me, encasing me in warmth. Calming by infinitesimal degrees, I closed my eyes.

Minutes ticked by in an oddly soothing silence, the only cadence our slow deep breaths.

“You know, if you wanted to prove you could swim, open water would’ve been a better choice.”

I laughed softly, pressing my cheek harder against his chest. His heart pounded there, and I felt lucky to hear its rhythm. Him holding me close like this, with no agenda other than to comfort me, jarred something deep inside me.