Page 126 of The Matchmaker Club

25

Keeping Promises

“Get undressed.”

Lucas crossed his arms over his chest. “No way. Not after what you did to me the last time. We do this together.”

“Fine.” I kicked off my sandals, and Lucas slid off his shoes and socks. The rocky sand felt cool under my feet. I slipped my pink dress over my head. Lucas’s shirt was already off, and he took off his jeans.

Gawd, he was delicious. And he was all mine, just as much as I was his.

He hooked his thumb under the waistband of his boxer briefs, and I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip, ready and waiting to see parts of him I hadn’t yet.

“Nice try.” His left eyebrow raised up. “But you still have two items of clothing left, and I want to see the whole picture.”

I reached behind my back, about to undo my bra, but I hesitated, heat flushing my face. I placed a hand over my chest. “I know you’ve kind of seen it already… I just…”

His smile faded, and he caressed my cheek, guiding me to look at him. “You don’t have to be embarrassed with me.”

“I’m not embarrassed or ashamed of them…” I sighed. “I know how guys worship boobs and… I just want all of me to be attractive to you.”

“Turn around,” he said.

“What?”

“Do you trust me?”

I glided my hand up his chest. “With all my heart.”

Lucas planted a soft kiss on my forehead and walked behind me. He slid my hair over my shoulder and undid the clasp of my bra. My back arched into him as Lucas swept his fingers up my back and guided the straps down my arms until the bra fell to the ground. My hands went to cover myself, but he gently pulled them back down. He wrapped his arms around my waist and brushed his lips against my neck, my ear. Every breath against my skin made me tremble.

His hand glided over my belly and just under my breast.

I stiffened.

“There’s not one part of you that I don’t love,” he whispered.

I held my hand over his and led him to cup my scarred breast.

He traced along the scar with the tips of his fingers. “Every scar has a story behind it. And yours remind me of a chance at a full life and of how incredibly brave you are.” I turned around, letting him have the full view. He looked down and then smiled at me. “You’re beautiful…allof you.”

“I love you, Lucas. More than you know.”

He smiled, and his name fit him perfectly. He was all light. “I think I have an idea of how much.”

“Should we hide our clothes in case Frank makes his rounds here?”

“Good idea. Just don’t throw them in poison ivy this time.”

The sound of tires crunching and the glow of headlights reached us from up ahead. We picked up our clothes and shoes and tossed them into the woods before diving into the water. We swam under the dock and came up together, trying hard not to make a sound. Lucas grabbed one of the poles and hooked his other arm around me. It was the first time we’d felt skin on skin, and the water didn’t feel so cold while against his chest. All I felt was his warmth and the softness of his wet skin brushing mine.

The headlights swiveled away from the shore and the car started to drive off.

I slid down my panties and held them up for him to see. “It isn’t really a skinny dip until all articles of clothing are off.”

“Oh, that reminds me.”

“What?”