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“Well, princess, would you like to join me for a swim?”
“I’d love to, counselor.”
He intertwined his fingers with mine and led us to the dirt landing. He pulled out a waterproof blanket and set it down, piling our bags on top. He pulled off his shirt, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
I had seen him in a cutoff shirt before and had already admired the artwork on his arm, but what I saw as he faced away from me was surprising. Across the top of his back was a collage of historical tattoos, almost like a retelling of American History. It was incredibly intricate and detailed.
The sleeve that adorned his left arm traveled up his shoulder and into his chest. I stared at him a little longer than I should have. My eyes traced along the coast of Texas. I admired the block-T logo of his university. It was his life displayed as a work of art on his skin.
“Hey, princess,” his smooth voice got closer, reducing to a whisper as his body cast a shadow over me. “You’re staring.”
“Sorry,” I muttered. I took off my shirt and decided to swim in my sports bra and shorts.
He deviously smirked at me, bringing his hand to cover my cheek, and his thumb caressed my bottom lip. His eyes locked into mine, full of desire. Full of life.
He stared.
“Hey, Parker,” I whispered. “You’re staring.”
“I know.”
After a few beats of slightly labored breathing, he grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the dirt, heading toward the rocks where people were jumping into the water.
“Wait! No, I can’t jump off those rocks!”
“Why not?” he turned to me with an entertained smile.
“I’m scared of heights!”
“Come on, it’s not that tall. It’ll be fun. I promise you’ll be okay.”
“I don’t think I can do this, Parker. I really don’t think so.”
“Come on, Blake. Face your fears. I’ll even carry you up the rock if it makes you feel better.”
“I’m not scared of walking up there. It’s the coming down that terrifies me.”
A mischievous smirk spread across his face, and I started backing away. Without much effort, he bent down and threw me over his shoulder.
“Parker!” I screamed, trying to kick against him. His arm was hooked around my back, and his other hand was wrapped around my ankles.
“Blake!” he mocked me, continuing the climb up the stair-stepped rocks.
He set me down at the top. I looked at the distance between us and the water and yelped. My heart rate sped up. My breathing became erratic. I clung to Parker’s arm, trying to get us away from the edge.
“I can’t do this! I can’t do this!”
“Hey, open your eyes and look at me,” he crouched down so we were eye to eye. “Remember how you were scared to see Erik, and you faced that fear? How you were afraid to continue this but did it anyway? It’s about the new experiences, Blake. Face this fear with me.”
“I don’t know,” my lip quivered. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“Don’t think then,” he pried me off his arm but offered me his hand. “You can do this. Jump in with me.”
I looked up at him, and he gave me the reassuring smile that often finds me in the conference room. He squeezed my hand.
The ripples in the water below made my stomach flip. The distance doubled since I looked at it the first time. I looked up to him again. He was watching me make my decision. My hand felt his squeeze again.
I tried to channel the boldness I had felt the first weekend I met him –that same bravery.
