horse. If he could see, he would have helped her down. He was lucky to get himself off without looking too awkward. But he was surprised at the ease of his movements as he swung his leg over. His eyes may not work, but his body remembered what to do.
* * * *
The ground was marshy near the pond, and Ellie glanced around to find a dry spot for her blanket. After spreading the cover out, she removed meat, bread, and fruit from one knapsack and then a bottle of wine and two glasses from the other.
Rafe stood at the edge of the water, his face tilted toward the falls. She wished she knew his thoughts. Sunlight danced over his black hair, and she admired his long, lean body. She so wanted him to love her. If sheer desire and determination were all that were needed, then he would.
The first time he’d come to call on her sister, envy had lodged in her heart. She’d flushed as her heart beat fast and hard whenever he looked her way and smiled. She’d realized even then he had only seen her as the little tomboy beside her two willowy, blonde, never-a-hair-out-of-place sisters.
She sighed. He’d never want to marry her. He’d eventually be a duke. He needed a wife who knew how to be a proper hostess. One who understood politics. Nevertheless, she wanted him .
“Why the deep sigh?” he asked.
“Nothing, really,” she lied.
His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t challenge her.
“Come, join me.” She went to him and led him to the blanket. “Sit. I have a picnic lunch for us.” She directed his hand to the meat, bread, and fruit. “And I have an opened bottle of wine and two glasses.” She poured the white wine into the crystal stemware and put it in his hand. She toasted him. “I hope this is the first of many outings for you.”
He smiled, and her heart swelled with joy. His lips touched the rim of the glass, and he took a sip. “Very good. How did you get the wine bottle open?”
She laughed. “I talked one of the kitchen staff into helping me and made him promise not to say a word.” His laughter joined hers. She loved the sound. He seemed more open, more like the man she remembered.
They nibbled on the food, drank their wine, and enjoyed the solace of the area. Only the sound of the water rushing over the cliff and spilling into the crystal clear pond below interrupted the silence.
Ellie walked to the water. She bent and touched the coolness with her fingers. Giving into impulse, she began to shed her clothes.
“What are you doing?” Rafe asked.
“I’m going to swim. Want to join me?”
Standing in her chemise, she faced him. His eyes gazed directly at her, and she felt naked until she remembered he couldn’t see. Today, it was easy to forget. His eyes were so clear, and his face relaxed.
She shivered as she glided into the cold water. With strong strokes, she swam out to the center of the pond. When she was younger, she had often ridden to a hidden lake at home and swam. Her father had taught her initially, almost before she walked, but her sisters said the water was too cold and stayed at home. Over the last few years there’d been few chances to sneak away. Her mother had never approved. She’d have a case of the vapors if she saw Ellie now.
Ellie glanced toward Rafe, surprised to see him removing his boots, socks, coat, and shirt. He left on his buckskins, apparently for modesty. He plunged into the water and in three smooth strokes, he came up beside her. His hands reached out to find her.
* * * *
She has soft skin like cool velvet .
Rafe slid his hands from her shoulders to her breasts. His cock hardened when he heard her quick intake of breath. His fingers brushed across her nipples as he moved his body against hers.
“You shouldn’t tempt a man with such a vision. Even a blind man has an active imagination.”
Ellie put her lips almost against his. Her breath whispered across his face. “Then let’s play pretend, and I’m whatever beautiful,
Skye Malone, Megan Joel Peterson