Page 29 of Sweet Summertide (Christmas Cove #4)

Theodor knew just what this woman needed, and it had nothing to do with putting more clothing on. Knowing she needed to have something covering her body for his idea to work, he grabbed an oversized T-shirt from his dresser beside the bed and threw it at her. “You can put this on for now.”

Holly didn’t move from her spot in the middle of his bed.

She sat up on her knees and slid the shirt over her head.

The thin white fabric fell over her shoulders and chest down below her hips.

She stood with her dirty feet on the white covers, and he didn’t even care.

He swallowed hard as she shimmied her dress down her legs and kicked it from her pointed toes in his direction.

Catching the yellow floral frock in his hand, he could smell the remnants of her vanilla perfume still in the fibers.

He tossed the garment to the floor where he preferred it to stay and offered his hand to her. She jumped down and he caught her at her waist, not wanting to cause any more pain or injury to her burned shoulders and chest. She took his hand and threaded her fingers in his.

At the door, Theodor nudged her a pair of flip-flops with his foot, even though they were far too large, it was cute seeing her wear his items. He slid on a pair of boat shoes, the same ones he had planned on wearing to their previously planned date that night.

He was glad she was there, even if she was late, and even if she was miserable.

She had come to him when she could have gone to anyone.

She was his. For now, at least, and Theodor intended to make the most of whatever time they had together.

He led Holly outside and down the path towards the shore. The stars had come out and twinkled like heavenly spotlights on their evening. The afternoon heat had given way to a comfortable breeze that he hoped was helping her angry skin feel better.

“Where are we going?” she whispered, and an excited little giggle escaped her throat like they were doing something they shouldn’t.

The outdoor areas at the Foundry were deserted, compared to the previous night when the firefly parade had the whole property abuzz with action.

No, tonight, they had the cove to themselves.

He brought her down the shore past the dock to a section that was surrounded on three sides by clumps of dense bushes.

The area was dark, and but for her blind trust in him, she should have been apprehensive but didn’t appear to be.

She held onto his arm and huddled near him as they shuffled down the short embankment. “Teddy, what are we doing down here?”

The cove water was like glass, reflecting with an artist’s accuracy every single star from above.

The crescent moon shone like a beacon near the horizon and created a long shadow behind Holly.

Theodor stepped into the water first and a hundred ripples burst out from the disturbance.

Without speaking a word, he slid his shirt over his head and tossed it over to a nearby fallen tree.

Holly giggled again, and he desperately wanted to find the spot on her neck where the delicious sound originated.

He unbuttoned his shorts and slid them down his legs. They ended up beside the shirt on the log and he walked backwards into the water wearing only his blue boxer-briefs. “Your turn.” He teased, knowing full well that she wore nothing but light-pink lace panties beneath his shirt.

“Turn around,” she said and all he could hear was the sound of cotton rustling against her skin and hair and landing on the tree with his. Her toes splashed in the water’s edge and a large ripple came around his upper body. She was in the water, and she was nearby. “Alright. You can look now.”

He wanted to see her; he was a man, after all, who wished she wasn’t wholly submerged.

But he took a deep breath and let the moment rest. From the way the current hit him below the surface, he came around to where he knew she would be waiting for him.

To his displeasure, Holly was well hidden to her shoulders by the water’s shell, but a smile graced her pretty face.

Her eyes were closed, and she bobbed up and down. “This feels really good on my burn.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you today. If I had been, maybe none of this would have happened.”

Her eyes flew open. “Rinaldi still would have happened. And I had already been out in the sun for too long before the whole car thing?—”

“Ended up in a ditch and forced you to walk here for hours?”

“Yeah. That.” She laughed. “Don’t feel bad that you weren’t with me at the farm. You’re here for me now, that’s what matters.”

Theodor was careful to keep his distance from her naked body. Even though it was dark and private. He didn’t want to push his luck when they were finally on the right track. “Can I be honest? I thought you stood me up earlier.”

“And that made you feel mad?”

“Sad. Hurt. I guess I just like you more than I wanted to admit.” Because he thought he might love this woman. “And now, knowing what you went through this afternoon, I feel terrible about that.”

“You really like me?” she asked and came closer to him. He backed off but she pursued him further. “You’re not just saying what I want to hear and making me fall in love with you?”

“Are you?” he asked as her hands swiped up his arms. His heart was beating so fast he could see new ripples forming on the water around him. “In love with me?”

“What if I am?”

“Then I’d say we probably shouldn’t be skinny-dipping in the dark.” Because his body craved her touch, and she deserved a man who wouldn’t use her body to manipulate her emotions.

“I don’t know if I can say that I’m falling in love with you, Theodor Black, but I can tell you that I love the way you make me laugh.

” She kissed his cheek, and his eyes closed to savor the sensation.

“I love how we share a passion for sugary things.” She licked his lip as if she would find something sweet there.

He was frozen. “I love how you think I’m a better person than I am. ”

He captured her face in his hands. “You’re the most frustrating person I’ve ever met, Blake Holly Hollis.

” They paused, reading each other’s next move.

The night seemed to stand still but for the chirping crickets filling the air with music.

He could take her right there. He could have her in his arms and make her forget about Rinaldi or any other guy she’d ever known.

He could fill the night air with her moans and sounds of his name. But … he backed off. “I think?—”

“We should slow down a bit?” she finished.

“Yes,” he said and stood up and walked out of the water. He tugged his shirt onto his wet skin and slid his shorts back on. Holding his other shirt up to her, he said, “Come on out of there.” He turned his head and squeezed his eyes shut.

Holly took the shirt, and he hoped she would put it on in the interim time. “Can I sleep over?” she asked, and he cracked an eye at her. “No funny business,” she added.

“I’ll take the floor.”