Heartstrings

(6) Allison

Allison

I have to admit, I've decided to bail a million times, all backed up with million excuses so I wouldn't have to sneak out of the room without Nancy waking up. Time ticked so agonizingly as I wait for midnight. I have million reasons why shouldn't meet him in the hallway. But I had one why I should: I'll be a chicken.

Colson Gray will not relish in that because I won't let that happen.

When the clock struck twelve, I tiptoed my way out of the room, my boots in my hands because I can't really risk them stepping on a creaky board. Slowly and quietly, I turned the knob open.

I almost squeaked at the shadow leaning against the door across mine and Nancy's. As soon as I closed the door behind me, I let out a huff. "You scared me," I whisper-yelled.

Colson chuckles. "Almost."

I take in a calming breath. "We have to be really quiet."

"We're quiet." He shrugged. There are a couple of fluffy towels over his arm.

I squinted at him through the darkness. "What are you up to?"

"You have the option to watch or join me." He gestured to the direction of the stairs.

I clicked my tongue. "Fine."

We headed down the stairs and stepped out the backdoor of the cabin.

"Can you tell me now?" I finally ask when he led me out the narrow path. The night was surprisingly warm. Starry too.

"Three words, Allie-bear: Towels. Dock. Lake."

I almost faltered in my step. "We're going skinny-dipping?"

"Like I said, you can watch or join. I understand if you feel uncomfortable."

My arms flew over my chest. "What makes you think that I'd be uncomfortable?"

His answer was a shrug.

"I'm not uncomfortable," I grumbled and walked past him straight to the edge of the dock. I tug my shirt over my head, stripping myself with all that covers me. Seconds later I left them in a lacy pile behind me and jumped right into the water lapping underneath.

I braced myself for the feel of ice-cold water, but then again, it was warm. When my head bobbed back to the surface, I look over to him who was still standing at the edge of the dock, the towels a pool of wrinkled white at his feet where he dropped them.

"Are you coming?" I called out. "Watching or joining me?" I ask, taking his words against him.

Colson shakes his head. "Damn. You should've at least warned me."

"Warned you that I'm not a scaredy-cat after all?" I smirked.

"That you're a sight to see."

A blush crept up to my face. I'm glad of the darkness. "There wasn't much to see. Now get in here."

He shakes his head one more time. "Again, dodging."

I rolled my eyes. "Watching or joining?" I repeated.

"Joining. Absolutely joining." His fingers unlatched the buttons of his shirt one by one. He let it fall on top of the towels.

And then I was staring at broad shoulders, toned chest and flat, sculpted stomach. I should have looked away but he held my gaze as his hands moved to his jeans, peeling them down.

When the remainder of his clothes came down with boxers, I darted my eyes down until I hear the water splashed.

Colson's dark head resurfaces and he grinned. "Water feels nice."

"I was expecting a block of ice."

He swam over to me until he was within reach. "What made you change your mind about changing your mind, Allie-bear?"

"I wasn't going to change my head," I say defiantly with a tilt of my chin.

He reaches a hand toward me, grazing the tips of my fingers. "So, you were not going to bail on me?"

"I had million reasons to, but Nancy snores and I couldn't sleep."

Colson chuckles.

"What?"

"I think this is the first time I heard you speak something that's not nice to anyone." His hand feathered on the side of my palm.

I shivered. "Because I'd rather have my feelings hurt than others," I kidded, just to take my mind off the innocent touches.

"I gotta say, I like it better when you speak what's on your mind. You should do it often."

If I had spoken my mind a long time ago, I wouldn't have to do Nancy's lesson plans for her every term she doesn't feel like doing it. "I doubt the others will like that."

"If they don't like it, they can hate it. But they can't do anything about it." His pinky finger latched with mine.

His green eyes steadied on mine, intensifying when I stared back. The water slicked his hair back. Droplets of water pebbled on his face and they sparkled from the moon right above.

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask almost a little breathlessly when his fingertips brush the inside of my palm.

"Because I want you to know that I'd like it if you talk often," he answers, his eyes flitting to my lips.

My fingers clasped around his.

He pulled me close. My legs clasped around him, my ankles locked behind his hips.

We both groaned at the contact. Hard planes against soft planes of flesh. My hands went to his shoulders, his went to my waist.

We were frozen at the sudden proximity. Then as if we always knew what we were meant to do, our mouths fused hungrily.