Benedict Bridgerton Regency Imagines || Benedict Bridgerton

Bella Notte

It's after midnight when you and Benedict secretly steal down to the water's edge at Aubrey Hall. This is your first time unchaperoned with your intended; even just meeting him in the dead of night in the hallway seemed thrilling. But when he suggests you go to the lake, your whole body shivers at the prospect—not only for the clandestine time alone but also for the chance to dip a toe into the cool water, such a tempting prospect after an unrelentingly stifling hot July day.

The setting is stunning, the trees surrounding you a beautiful silhouette under a blanket of stars, the milky white waxing moon reflecting upon the mirror-smooth surface of the lake.

Benedict squeezes your hand and catches your eye.

"Shall we?" his buttery voice is such an alluring temptation you can't resist.

"We shouldn't...," you demure.

"That, my dear fiancee, is not exactly a no," he murmurs, releasing your hand to strip off his shirt, revealing a toned chest that makes you bite your cheek.

"You first," you whisper, a light breeze ruffling the strands of hair around your face as you watch him raise an eyebrow and reach for the buttons on his britches.

"If you wish to remain innocent, avert your eyes," he suggests playfully.

You inhale sharply and spin around to face the house, your cheeks aflame, but your eyes cut to the side, half hoping to catch a furtive glimpse of your husband-to-be's naked body. You hear the rustle of clothing being shed and then the splash of water as he seems to throw himself in bodily. The moan he makes as he surfaces does things to your insides that you don't fully understand, steadfastly still facing away.

"You may turn around now," he calls, bemused, "I am concealed by the water."

You slowly spin around to see him standing upright and almost choke. The waterline hugs low on his hips. So dangerously low there is dark thatch of hair peaking above the surface. And above it, acres of toned, muscular, very male torso painted with water droplets. You know you are staring—you know you are probably slack-jawed. Your gaze eventually reaches his face, and it's sin personified. He knows exactly what he is doing to you, teasing you, his hair slicked back against his head, emphasising the handsome lines of his face.

"Are you coming in too, or is this merely a spectator's sport for you?" he intones, that lopsided grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"You are so troublesome, Mr Bridgerton," you murmur, trying to school your expression, but you just end up biting your lip, very much wishing for a fan as you feel your face heating.

"I promise nothing untoward," he offers chivalrously, holding out a hand to beckon you in, "unless you want it," the dusky addition makes your stomach flip.

He turns around and shoots you a sultry look over his shoulder before jumping up and diving back down into the water in a perfect fluid motion.... Giving you an eyeful of a very pert, very shapely, naked bottom as he does so.

"Dear god..." you exhale, looking skyward, knowing this will test your willpower, but somehow still drawn inexorably towards the water. After all, it has been such a HOT day; this will cool your body like nothing else.

As he swims away, you strip off your light silk robe to your white cotton nightgown and place a foot into the water.

The rocks under your toes are cool, smooth and slightly mossy. It feels heavenly. And so you wade in, the ground falling away fast, and by the time you are four paces from the edge, the water tickles against the apex of your thighs, and you sigh. The cold tamping, the fiery heat you feel there, mainly due to the man making his way back to you in a leisurely breaststroke, a smile on his face.