Nature's lullaby came to a standstill. Idle, steady and quiet. Everything slipped away. The erratic tempo of my pulse echoed louder and louder behind my ear; nothing else mattered, only that velvet mouth, feather-light against my lips.

Matt pulled me closer to him, his hands inching up my neck until they weaved into my dampened hair. His touch was gentle and confident when he slipped his tongue past my lips, deepening our kiss. In a blur of sensations, that gentleness turned fervent; limbs locked over one another, breathing laboured.

Incandescent embers smouldered in my chest.

While lip-locked, we paid no attention to anyone walking to or from the nearby café. CeCe and Zaire were long forgotten. That was until we were doused in ice-cold liquid, smothering my fire. Pulling apart in shock, Matt and I rubbed the water away from our eyes.

"What the hell was that for?" I stayed seated on the grassy bank, glaring at Zaire, who held an empty water bottle in his hands.

Matt stood up, wiping the grass stuck to his wetsuit, looking away from the group.

"Cooling you down and doing you a favour. It's not 'pay for a tour, receive a show for free'." Zaire twisted the bottle lid in his hand, shaking his head, a stupid grin on his face. "Come on, Bumblebee. Let's get you lunch before you eat Matt's face again," he laughed, walking towards the changing rooms.

CeCe burst out laughing, following after him and leaving me with Matt. He held his hand out, helping me up, his cheeks a slight tinge of pink.

My heart still beating a mile a minute, I cast my eyes to the floor. "I'm sorry. Don't know what came over me."

Matt grabbed my chin and lifted it so I had no choice but to look at him. "Don't be. I wish it had happened sooner," he said, his husky voice vibrating through me as he wrapped his arms around me.

His gaze too intense, I laid my head on his chest, listening to the irregular beat of his heart. Matt twisted the ends of my hair around his fingers, neither one of us speaking while I steadied my breathing. Acting on impulse, I hadn't thought of what that kiss could mean for either of us. All I knew was that I didn't regret it.

"So do I," I let slip, allowing myself to live in the moment. Those words felt good rolling off my tongue. Months of living as a mere shell of myself, I deserved to take a bite out of life, no matter how short that bliss might be.

Matt held me tighter at my words and kissed the top of my head. "Let's get changed and food. Zaire's cranky when not fed," he laughed, placed a soft kiss on my lips and slipped his hand in mine.

We wandered up to the wooden cabin, detaching our grip only when we reached the separate changing rooms.

CeCe waited for me, sat on the wooden bench, changed back into her dry clothes. The corners of her eyes crinkled as she glanced to the floor, trying to suppress a smile.

"What's that face for?," I asked, grabbing my towel out of my bag.

She burst out laughing, making me smile along with her. I peeled off my wetsuit, revealing my black one-piece.

"Sorry. I'm really sorry." She held her sides as she laughed again. "Zaire's face when you practically climbed on top of Matt. I can't! It was too funny. His eyes nearly popped out of his head and then he–" a little snort escaped as she held her breath for a second–, "if you had seen it. He was creeping around looking for a water bottle. One of the guides threw it over."

I screwed my face up, cringing inwardly. "Was he mad?" Not something I wanted to over-analyse.

"Not at all. He thought it was hilarious." She lay back against the wall and sighed. "Kind of hot if you asked me. A few people couldn't keep their eyes off you."

"Argh." I scraped my nails across my scalp and pulled my hair into a ponytail. "Well, that's just embarrassing."

Pulling the hem of her cream jumper down, CeCe stood, slinging her rucksack onto her shoulder and made her way to the exit. "Nonsense. I'll tell the boys we're nearly ready."

The changing room now empty, I sat on the bench and closed my eyes. I needed a few seconds to collect my thoughts. My fingers automatically raised to my lips and my stomach dipped each time I thought of the kiss. The corner of my mouth turned up, and I shook my head. I was being ridiculous. I had kissed him before. But that kiss. Sighing to myself, I hurried to get dressed so I could get back to him as soon as possible.

CeCe scrolled through her phone at a picnic table outside of the Riverside Café, four paper bags in front of her. Zaire, his sunglasses masking his eyes, relaxed by her side.

"Where's Matt?" I asked as I approached the table.

"At the car, putting our bags away. I picked a cheese and pickle sandwich for you, Bumblebee." Zaire answered, not taking his eyes off the river.

"Thanks, you know what I like. I'm just going to find him so I can put mine in the car."

I didn't wait for an answer; I was already halfway across the car park, my heart pounding and my mouth dry.

Almost forgetting how to use my feet, I stumbled the last few steps as I kept my sights on Matt. He was gorgeous, leaning against Zaire's car, his arms crossed against his chest and staring up at the clouds. My breath caught in my throat when he lowered his gaze, dishevelled but put together, strong but with a softness behind those honey eyes.

I melted into his arms the moment he pulled me close to his chest. Forget the walk into the woods, I wanted to stay right there.

"Hey, you," he whispered into me, curling his hand at my nape, my hairs standing on edge.

"Hey," I breathed back, my fingers tracing the stubble along his jawline.

Matt pressed a soft kiss to my lips and pulled back to look at every inch of my face. "I wish it was just the two of us here." He brushed some stray strands of hair out of my face. "Let me take you on a date when we get back."

I froze. Physical I could do. I could manage that for now. Anything more and I might lose my control. But that's what I wanted; to lose some control, to feel freer than what I had allowed myself. All my feelings came rushing to me at once, and in a moment of hesitation, I panicked.

"Matt," I sighed. "You're doing it again." I brushed my nose against his. "Can we go slow? A date sounds like a big deal. We can hang out and see what happens? Please."

"Hey, of course. Whatever you want." He ran his hands down my sides and tightened his hold on my waist. "We could even have a casual date–, sorry hang, nothing fancy. I meant what I said the other night about you setting the pace."

"Thank you." I kissed him softly. "We can still do this though." Pressing my face into his neck, I traced my tongue from his collarbone up to his ear and bit down gently on his earlobe.

"Shit," he moaned, sending a shiver down my spine. "Don't do that or we're not going on that walk."

"Sorry. Let's go then," I mumbled, linking my arm through his and walking back to our friends.

One minute, I was daring and brave, the next, I was hesitant and hiding what I really wanted from him.

***

Our hike along the nature trail lasted until the sun set through the branches of nearby oak and willow trees, casting a bronze veil through the moss-covered floor. We stopped off halfway through at one of the secluded picnic tables to have our lunch.

Matt and I spent our afternoon as friends, leaving any subtle touches away from prying eyes, but Zaire kept smirking each time we accidentally brushed up against each other.

The centre closing, we drove to our hotel, an hour away, outside of the Welsh border.

We grabbed a quick bite to eat at a drive-through and were all in our rooms, getting ready for a few drinks at the hotel bar.

The loud pitter-patter of the shower running drowned out CeCe's voice. I stepped out from under the water and popped my head outside the door. "What?" I wiggled my finger in my ear, hoping to release some trapped drops.

"I'm heading down to the bar. I'm ready and so are the boys. Meet us there?"

"Okay," I shouted out, walking back under the warm spray.

Steam filled the room, but that didn't stop me from turning the dial until the heat almost scolded my skin. I leaned back against the cooler tiles and watched the droplets run over my chest and down my stomach. I lazily followed them down with my fingers. My nipples tightened, goosebumps forming under my light touch. Picturing Matt's mouth making the same path, my breath hitched and every part of me tingled. I closed my eyes and lead my hand down to my sex.

I needed a release but stilled as I reached my clit. I didn't have time for that. They were waiting for me. I turned the thermostat on the shower to cold and let the sudden chill calm my mind.

When I switched the water off, the continuous knocking on the main door startled me. How long was that going on for? I grabbed a large fluffy white towel off the chrome railing and fastened it tight around myself.

I glanced through the peephole and opened the weighted door. My heart skipped excitedly. Matt stood there, a lopsided grin on his face.

"Hey, I thought CeCe forgot her key. I'm not ready." I moved back into the room, letting him in.

"I can see that." He drew his lower lip between his teeth and closed the door behind him. Resting against it, his eyes flickered over my near-naked form.

My pulse quickened and the heat I felt in the shower reawakened. I couldn't get my mind off his hands running along my bare skin. As if sensing my thoughts, Matt brought me to him and traced his fingertip from my jaw to my lip, down to the top of the towel. "This towel is dangerous." He tugged on it gently, but enough for me to lose my footing and fall against him, my knees weak.

"Mmm." I swallowed hard, enjoying the way my body responded to his brooding voice. He had barely touched me, yet every inch of me throbbed. With an abrupt rush of lust, I pushed down any last remnants of fear. "Not dangerous enough." As soon as those words left my mouth, I dropped my towel.

"Fuck, Trixie." He reached out, stroking the underside of my breasts and moved closer until flush against me, letting me feel his hardness through his jeans. His hands circled round to my arse and stroked each cheek before palming them with more pressure. "I don't know what I want to touch first." He kissed my neck, nipping on the skin, and whispered in my ear. "You drive me crazy."

I steadied myself, latching on to his biceps. His lips crashed against mine, rough and determined. My brain scrambled when his tongue joined mine in a sensual caress. I was willing to relinquish all control of myself at that moment. He had me, at least my body, and I wanted him more than anything.

"We have another problem," I half moaned, half gasped into his ear. "You have too many clothes on." My hands reached for his belt buckle, fumbling to undo them. I was impatient and craved his bare skin on mine.

"Not a problem from where I'm standing." Matt stepped back for a second and groaned before his fingers pinched my right nipple. His mouth lowered to my left one where he sucked and tugged on it gently with his teeth.

Feeling a jolt of desire, my head fell back. "Matt," I moaned. I undid his jeans, slipping my hand into his boxers and touching his very hard erection. "It's a problem for what I want to do to you." My fingers moved up and down his length, eager to drive him as wild as he was making me.

"Shit. Come over here." He grabbed my waist and dragged me towards the bed. He hurried to remove his clothes and crawled in between my already spread legs. His face hovering over me, he blew over my wetness and I shivered, breathing heavier. The tip of his tongue touched my throbbing clit, smooth and tender, and I squirmed from the sensations as he licked back and forth.

He flicked harder, and I cried out, "yes!"

"Yes?" he laughed against me, making the hairs on my arms stand up.

"Yes, don't stop that," I moaned and bit my lower lip.

Matt renewed his delicious strokes, swirling over my clit and teasing my inner folds. My release was building fast, but I yearned to have him inside me.

"Wait." I pushed him away, and he looked down, bewildered. "I'm so close but want to come around you."

He scrambled around on the floor, retrieving his jeans, and held up a foil packet. Sitting next to me, he rolled the condom down his cock and gripped the base, the sight tempting and erotic.

I moved over him. "I want to be on top."

He grabbed my hips and positioned his tip at my opening, allowing me to sink down on to him at my pace. "Bossy," Matt moaned, reaching up to massage my breasts.

I arched my back, placing my hands behind me, and started rocking back and forth. Soon, the pressure I felt from his tongue against me renewed and my movements quickened. I was so close, my body on edge.

"Faster." I rode him harder, rotating my pelvis so I could pull him deep inside me. Matt steadied my hips with his hands and thrust up into me. He freed one of his hands, not slowing his momentum, and rubbed his thumb over my clit.

"Fuck." I curled into him as my orgasm crashed over me. I was wrecked.

Barely giving me a second to recover, Matt flipped us over, slid out of me and slammed back in again, repeating the action until he jerked when he came inside of me. My entire body shook, millions of mini fireworks spreading over my skin, from my toes to the tip of my nose.

The pleasure was too extreme, but incredible all at once. With my last breath of energy, I tugged Matt's face to mine and kissed him hard. Wrapping my legs around him, I pushed all thoughts aside, simply lost in feeling.

***