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“You can go in without me.” My voice quivered as I watched my sister and friends enjoy the water.
“Don’t you want to experience it? You’re safe here. No one’s going to ridicule you or hurt you.”
My heart crashed wildly against my chest as I tried to absorb his words. “I know.” I inhaled a ragged breath. “I want to… I’m just not sure I can.”
“How about we do baby steps?”
“Baby steps?” I sat up, leaning into him. He looked good in board shorts and a black fitted t-shirt.
“Yeah, we can start small.” His hand went to my braid, tugging the end gently. The slight pinch sent a shiver running down my spine. “I would love to see your hair down one day.”
“You would?”
I didn’t typically wear it down in public. It was too accessible, too easy to get carried away. A braid had been my preferred style since it grew back long enough for a ponytail after Chelsea hacked it off.
“Yeah. I mean, I like it like this, but I can’t bury my hands in it the way I want.”
I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. Kaiden made even the simplest thing seem so intense, and it still blew my mind that he was choosing to be here, with me.
“What do you say, Lily? Will you go in the water with me?”
“That’s not going to work every time.” I fought a smile.
“I know.” He closed the space between us and kissed me softly. “But I’m hoping this might persuade you.” His tongue peeked out, running along the seam of my lips, coaxing me to open up for him. I did, letting him kiss me deeper.
Our friends goofed around behind us, paying us no attention. Not that it mattered. The second Kaiden touched me, everything else just melted away.
“Baby steps?” I repeated.
“Yep. You in?”
“Okay.” I took a steadying breath. Just the thought of stripping down to my bathing suit in front of everyone freaked me out. But Kaiden had seen me in less.
He lowered my legs to the floor, and I sat up, pulling off my t-shirt. His eyes immediately went to my boobs, and I shook my head.
“What?” A smirk traced his lips.
“So predictable.” Laughter bubbled in my chest.
Offering me his hand, I let him pull me to my feet. My bathing suit was nothing special: plain black, square-necked with two thick straps adorned with wooden beads that crossed at my back. Still, as I slipped off my pants, Kaiden looked at me like I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
I smoothed a hand over my braid, letting it hang over my shoulder. “Okay. Your turn.”
He yanked his t-shirt over his head and grinned. “Done.” Kaiden held out his hand again and I took it, letting him guide me to the edge of the pool. We were near the shallow end with the walk-in steps.
“You can sit on the edge or come into the water?” He let go of my hand and waded in up to his waist. “Just a few steps?”
“O-okay.” My body trembled as I dipped my toes into the pool. It was warm and inviting and not at all as scary as I expected. I reached for his hand and he took it, threading our fingers together.
I didn’t look across the pool, but I knew our friends were watching. It wouldn’t be a big deal to the guys, but the girls knew what this meant to me.
“How does it feel?” Kaiden asked.
“Good. Nice. But I don’t think I’m ready to go any deeper.”
“We don’t have to. You can sit down.”
I lowered myself to the step, startling a little when Kaiden lowered himself into the water with a splash.
