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"Of course. That's what best friends are for."
I end the call and walk back to the beach house. Maybe a good night’s rest will help me get my mind off him.
After being unable to sleep, I call Shae back, and she suggests I go for a dip in the water.
“It’s midnight.”
“So, you’ll be safe. You’re in a good area.”
I frown. “I don’t know.”
“I’m not suggesting any old dip in the water.” She pauses dramatically. “A nude dip.”
I'm taken aback by her suggestion and my mouth falls open. “What?! Are you crazy?!”
“Exactly what I said–skinny dip. The night air and water will help you relax and clear your head. Plus, it’s a private beach. It’s not like you’ll be arrested or anything.”
It takes some convincing, but Shae talks me into skinny dipping at the beach. I slip out of my clothes and into a fluffy white robe. The view amazes me when I step out onto the balcony of the house.
The smell of saltwater fills my nose as I walk across the sand to the beach chairs near the water's edge. The midnight sky is alight with stars, and the moon casts a beautiful glow across the ocean. A gentle breeze caresses my skin, as I take in the beauty of the midnight sky. The waves whisper peacefully, like a lullaby that soothes my nerves.
Under the moon’s glow, I slip out of my robe and toss it onto the chair. Slowly I wade out into the water. I can feel the sand tickle my toes as I submerge in the cool water. It feels so freeing to stand naked under the sky.
“Hey there,” a deep voice calls out. “Having fun?”
I whirl around and see Ivan standing at the edge of the water. His robe is open, and my eyes travel from his face to chest. I can see a faint hair trail leading from his navel to below his boxers.
I shiver at his presence, my heart racing. He stands close to the water but doesn't enter it. "It's a nice night for a swim, right?" Ivan asks with a deep voice that sends sparks through me. I can barely muster up the courage to answer him.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Cassidy," he continues. I should yell at him to go away, to get back to his party girl from the pictures. But all I can do is stand paralyzed by his presence and cast him an unwelcome glare that I hope hides my intense desire for him.
Will he undress and join me in the water? A part of me hopes he will, even though I know it's wrong. The forbidden romance that lies between us is too much to resist. But I try to push the thoughts away and focus on getting Ivan out of my head.
"Let me guess. You saw the pictures?" He asks.
I take a deep breath and nod slowly. "I wish I hadn't," I answer honestly.
"Me too." He steps closer to the water's edge and looks directly at me with an intensity that takes my breath away. "I've been with a lot of women. I won't deny that, but that is not all there is to me."
He still stands so close to the water not entering it. I can feel my body heating up as he removes his robe and tosses it on the chair next to mine. Cool waves gently lap around me but do nothing to stop the fire igniting within me.
"You look lonely in there by yourself," he says, his deep voice echoing around me. "Besides, don’t you know how dangerous it is to be out here by your lonesome? You could get kidnapped."
"Where’s your boyfriend?" He teases me with a grin.
I frown. “Why do you want to know?”
He laughs. “I want to make sure I'm not going to make a guy die from jealousy.”
"You think highly of yourself," I reply, trying to hide that my heart is beating faster in his presence.
"I'm confident in myself, and I don't mind sharing that with you," he replies. His eyes twinkle with amusement.
My heart is pounding as I struggle to find the courage to speak up. "Look, Ivan, I know this is wrong, and so do you."
"I don't see you leaving."
I open and close my mouth. "No," I admit. "But that doesn't mean I will do anything about it."
