AARYN

He was a stronger swimmer than her, so as soon as he tore off his leathers, he dove into the lagoon pool, almost losing his breath at the shock of the cold, mountain-fed water. Without coming up for air, he swum below her and around to pop to the surface right at her back, splashing her so she shrieked a little.

"Th-this is freezing," she said, her words shaking as her teeth wanted to chatter.

He pulled her back into his chest and kept his legs pumping to keep them at the surface.

The feel of her warm, soft skin against his in contrast with the chill water was delicious. When she put a hand back to cup his head, he couldn't resist running one hand up her stomach to cup her breast, thumbing the rivet-hard nipple when he found it. His own body leaped to life, just demonstrating how desperate he was for her, given the shock of the cold. But there was nothing he could do out here in the middle of the pool, treading water, so, one arm tucked around her and his hand between her breasts, he swam them to the edge where the rock rolled down into the water.

When they reached it, he let her go, but as she crawled up the slick surface, he crawled over her, flipping her gently onto her back, holding her to let her down slowly into the shallow water and covering her with himself.

"Aaryn, what—"

He kissed away her protests and soon, despite the cold, she'd wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and her legs at his waist. Knowing that was only going to get them in trouble, he whispered, "Hold on," then slid a hand under her butt and lifted them both up, carrying her across the short space of rock to the warm mineral pool.

She didn't let go and he didn't put her down as he stepped down from the rocky edge, to the carved-out seat that circled the mineral pool under the surface.

When he braced his foot to catch their combined weight, it jolted her against him and they both groaned.

"This is… not a good idea… if we want to wait…" he rasped against her neck, standing knee deep in the warm water of the mineral pool. There was another step down to the bottom, but he was worried if they did that again, he'd just give in and take her.

So, with murmured instructions for her to wrap her legs from his waist, he let her slide down his body until she too stood on the rock, leaning against him. Completely naked.

His breathing was far too fast, but so was hers. He combed her wet hair back from her face and over her shoulders, letting his fingers trail through the wavy strands that looked dark brown when they were wet and in this low light.

"How do people get anything done with this fire raging inside all the time?" she murmured, exploring his chest with her hands, her trembling strokes making his skin pebble from desire, not cold.

"I'll admit, I think we're going to have a problem," he said hoarsely, then took her mouth again.

They were both desperate. Aaryn's fingers clawed into her lower back and he kissed her so forcefully she was bent backwards over his arms, her breasts peaked and pressed up against his chest. Both of their breaths shuddered when she slid a hand between them to palm him. With no room to stroke, she hesitated, clearly wanting to touch him, but uncertain what to do.

"Hold that thought," he whispered in her ear, then nipped at her neck. Goosebumps prickled down her side and he growled, following them with hand and tongue, latching onto her shoulder with his mouth and stroking all over her gorgeous skin until she began to writhe again.

Then he slid a knee between hers, urging her to straddle his powerful thigh and her mouth dropped open.

"Holy shit, El," he rasped, pulling back to look at her, gripping his shoulders, her breasts pressed together and towards him, her hips rolling against his leg. "Holy shit."

He grasped her waist and pulled her down as she rolled and she made a little cry that had his body leaping and his own desire peaking to dangerous heights.

If he didn't do something, this was going to go everywhere it shouldn't.

Creator's Light he wanted it to go where it shouldn't.

Sucking in a heaving breath, he delved into her mouth with his tongue, showing her what he wanted to do to her body, and she took him, tangling their tongues, sucking on his lip, and always keeping that gorgeous friction between them.

They pulled each other close, frantic, a whine breaking his throat, while she whimpered in his ear.

"I'm aching for you, Aaryn," she whispered in his ear, her voice so broken and shaking, it almost broke his heart, even as his desire spiraled into insatiable hunger.

For a moment, as they kissed, bodies plastered together and held so tightly they both struggled to breathe, he had to wage war with his own body.

She was there, right there, and so ready. All he'd have to do was lift her other leg and—no! He growled at himself and loosed his grip.

She made a disappointed sigh, but he wasn't going to leave her as frustrated as he felt. They still hadn't made it into the water, so he lowered her to the edge of the pool, still kissing her, and sat her on the lip.

"Aaryn, what are you doing?" she said when he began to slide down her body. She tried to grasp his shoulders and pull him back up, but he cupped her arm and shushed her.

"Let me show you," he rasped. "Just lie back. Let me show you."

Sitting on the edge with her feet on the bench level below them, she was open to him. Aaryn groaned as he placed one hand at the center of her chest and gently pushed her to lay back. Then he kissed his way down, first to one breast, taking the nipple in his mouth and laving it with his tongue, rolling the other between his thumb and forefinger, until she began to shake and her hips rolled instinctively, seeking that precious contact between them.

"Aaryn, please," she panted, her fingers in his hair.

"Let me show you, my love," he whispered, then slid further back to drop his tongue into her navel, and then down again.

"Aaryn, what—?!" she started to sit up, but he pinned her down and opened his mouth, sliding his tongue against her from her core to that beautiful bundle of nerves that set her shaking as soon as he pressed into it. "Oh-OH! Aaryn—"

She held her breath when he did it again.

She was trembling.

Aaryn smiled and set to work.