Distorted Love (Dark Intentions Duet 1)

The priest makes a small movement, where he’s safe behind his latticed compartment.

Nothing follows my words.

Silence.

Before the priest can think of something to say, I leave without absolution.

Chapter 8

Saskia

He’s watching me, those demons hidden and that black suit riveted to his body.

“Take it off and get in. You’ll love it.”

It’s hot. So I know he must be sweating.

“There could be crocodiles in there. Fuck that.”

I laugh at him. “You’re safe, nothing’s eaten me yet. So get in.”

He shrugs his shoulders then starts to remove his jacket, followed by his shirt. As the buttons come undone, my breathing becomes hard and fast. His shirt drops to the ground, and his perfectly tanned and toned skin is on full display. He touches the hem of his trousers then pulls them down, so all he has on is a pair of boxer briefs.

I have to go under the water because I can’t watch him any longer. Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes, I go under. He says my name just before I do, but that doesn’t stop me. When I come back up, he’s got the rope in his hands and is watching me with that perfect body of his on display.

“Just jump?” I nod my head, unsure if I can even form any more words while watching his form.

“Speechless Saskia?” He’s smiling at me. He knows his near nakedness is making me uncomfortable. Why did I have to choose here? It was close and easy, that’s why. I like to come here and try to jump and twist as high as I can. The adrenaline, I love it when it kicks in.

‘Jump,’ I scream in my head, and he does it. He swings out, almost the height I get up to, then lets go, falling into the water. He comes up for air, and there’s only a few inches between us. I tread water, watching him.

“You come here a lot?”

I nod my head. “Among other places.”

He floats onto his back, looking up to the sky. The sun is high but hidden behind all the trees. It’s the most perfect place.

“I shouldn’t be here.”

“In this place?” I ask him, confused.

He drops under the water then comes back up for air. His hair slicked back from the water, his eyes ever so dark.

“With you.”

That hurts, more than it should.

“You should leave then.”

“I want to, I really fucking do. I shouldn’t be around you. It’s too dangerous.”

This time it’s my turn to go under then come back up for air. When I do, he’s closer to me, his face inches from mine making me lose my breath, which is weird considering I can breathe now.

“I really shouldn’t fucking be here, Barbie.”

I don’t blink, my eyes somehow don’t move. They stay locked on him, and I do nothing as he reaches forward, his lips coming toward mine.

Wanting to pull away and actually doing it are two different things. A small part wants me to draw away, the other is screaming with nerves. His lips full and lush touch mine, and my breath, stealing his own breath into mine. It fills my lungs as I manage to move my lips against his. We tread water, but I feel his hand come on my hip, steadying me in place as he takes control of the kiss while he takes control of me. He doesn’t disappoint. If kissing’s like this for everyone, why doesn’t everyone kiss all day every day?

His kiss is like something out of those magical books that you read in school.

How the prince steals the heart of the princess with just one kiss.

He could steal my heart with his lips alone.

Brushing his tongue against mine, I moan into his mouth. He pulls away, pushing himself back in the water, and my eyes open in time to see the expression on his face.

Anguish.

Distress.

Pain.

Did I cause him pain?

Was I a shit kisser?

Why would he pull away like that?

“We can’t do that.”

His voice is full of lies.

Ryken did that.

He kissed me.

I would never act on what I want. I’m not even sure it is what I want. It’s as if he’s opened up a part of me I didn’t know existed. Ones I’m not really sure I can keep locked away. I want more of that. Way, way more of it.

“Was I bad?”

He looks at me and shakes his head, laughing. His hand rubs through his perfect wet hair pushing it back, making his bicep bulge with the movement, his lips pulling into a thin line. The same ones that kissed me mere seconds ago.

“No. Fuck no. You… nope.” He turns looking toward the bank. “You’ll be the fucking death of me, that’s why we can’t do that again.” He swims toward the edge of the water, and I quickly try to catch up to him. Before he leaves, I touch his shoulder, stopping him. He pauses, not turning around. My hands start moving, running ever so slowly along his shoulder, down his back to his other shoulder. His skin is so perfect and so tanned.