Page 24 of Take the Plunge

My heart quivers, and my face flushes. “Aww. I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“I mean it. Today could have been awful.” He grits his teeth. “It should have been awful and would have been if it weren’t for you. I don’t know why Rufus trapped you here too, but I’m glad he did.” He huffs out a sigh. “I mean, I’d rather neither of us had been stranded here. But if I had to be stuck with anyone, I’m glad it was you.”

I rub my cheeks. “You’re making me blush. For the record, the feeling is mutual.”

Although I’m positive that half the point of this little stunt was to try and set us up. Rufus knows about my crush on Jett but must also have at least a strong hunch that his best friend is bicurious.

I reach out to Jett, even though there’s no way he can take my hand. “Join me?”

“The water isn’t cold?”

“No.” I stretch my fingers a little farther.

Jett stands, hands on his towel. When he hesitates, I pivot in a half circle so my back is to him. Sploosh. The water ripples around me. He splashes as he swims closer.

I turn around and grin. “See? I told you it wasn’t cold.”

We tread water a short distance from each other.

“It’s beautiful,” he whispers.

“Like swimming in stars.”

He holds my gaze. “Yes, exactly like that. Thank you.”

I laugh. “I have no clue what you’re thanking me for this time.”

“For inspiring me to be brave.”

I hold my breath. He reaches out his hand as though he’s going to cup my cheek, but he hesitates. Droplets of water drip from his hand, creating ever-increasing circles on the water. I nod, letting him know it’s okay. He rests his hand against my cheek, a soft but firm caress I long to lean into. He takes a sharp breath. I want to wrap my arms around him and kiss him, but I don’t. It has to come from him.

“Kian.”

“It’s okay.”

He closes his eyes, leans in, and presses his lips to mine. The kiss is fleeting but perfect. His soft beard strokes over my skin. We part our lips, and our tongues touch briefly. He pulls back and stares at me. The stars are reflected in his dark eyes. The water, rippling because of our presence, creates patterns over his face.

I put my hand on his nape and pull him into another, firmer kiss. He moans as our tongues caress. My pulse quickens. The more we kiss, the more relaxed he becomes. I put my other hand around his waist and close the gap between us. He gasps, breaking the kiss. Our legs, moving to keep us afloat, brush, and our bodies touch. My cock throbs at the contact. His is responding too, hardening against me.

“It’s okay,” I repeat.

But maybe it’s not, and it’s not really for me to say. The only thing I have to wrap my head around is the fact that I just kissed the guy I’ve had a crush on for years. But this is probably a huge deal for him.

And yet he doesn’t pull away, still cupping my cheek. He puts his other hand on my hip. “You’re stunning.”

“You’re pretty gorgeous yourself.”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

“Kissing a guy?”

“Kissing you.” He closes his eyes and kisses me again, briefly sucking my bottom lip into his mouth.

He breaks the kiss too soon. I don’t know what any of this means. Does he like me? Or am I just someone safe to be curious with? It’s probably that. And if that’s what he needs, I’m happy to be the one he experiments with.

“If you want to do more than kiss, we can,” I say. “Whatever you want, Jett. We can fool around. Try things you’re curious about. No one has to know if you don’t want them to. Anything that happens between us here can stay here. Just tell me what you want.”

“I want to kiss you again.”