Chapter 41 - The Lake
The bonfire crackled, scattering sparks up toward the star-filled sky. The third day of camp was winding down and Mimi didn't want the long weekend to end. At the back of the gathered campers, Mimi and Adam sat together on a fallen log. The lock-in camp leaders she'd had as a kid would recoil in horror if they knew what she'd spent the day doing. Leaning into Adam's side, Mimi licked the remnants of her smore off her fingers. There was something luscious about pressing against his solid male body.
Her husband had gobbled his chocolate marshmallow treat with an abandon that had made her giggle. She'd seen him approach other activities with a similar zeal. She wiggled next to him on the log they were sharing and he tightened his arm around her. Across the fire, Gerald, without his rabbit, was playing guitar.
Being funny hadn't turned out to be the shy man's only skill. He could sing. His mellow baritone had swirled a haze of contentment throughout the group. His Daddy swayed next to him, glowing with pride. She was pretty proud of her partner herself. The fire spilled a red gold light onto Adam's handsome face. She could look at him forever, eyes closed, grooving to the music. Mimi rested her cheek against his solid shoulder. He smelled so good, and there was something delicious about how the wood smoke clung to his skin. Being close to him made her heart ache with a happy fullness.
Adam opened his eyes and caught her mooning up at him like a lovesick puppy. A wicked smile rose to his lips. As he bent down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, he quietly whispered. "Let's go for a swim."
"This late?"
"Is my girl afraid of dark water?" Brushing her hair back from her face, his fingertips skimmed her cheek.
"Maybe a little." She settled her hand on top of his knee. Looking around the gathered people and their bubbles of contentment, she understood why Dillon loved this place so much. Ann had made Dillon's beautiful dream a reality. If she could feel safe swimming at night in a lake anywhere, it would be here with him. "Do you want to go change into our swimsuits?"
Adam unwound his arm from around her and reached for her hand. He laced his fingers into hers. "Have you ever been skinny dipping, cupcake?"
She gasped. "No... never." Lowering her voice, she said, "Adam, I have two bathing suits. There is no need..."
He cut her whispers abruptly short when he stood up and pulled her to standing. "Come on, scout."
"Hey, you are a scout too, Mr." He tugged her from the gathered ring of people basking in the firelight, and headed them into the cool, clear dark of the spring evening. The breeze coming up off the lake lifted an escaped curl and tickled it across her cheek. She squeezed his hand. "Someone will see us!"
He gestured to the night sky and the bank of stars above them. "It is pretty dark out here and everyone is caught up in their own moments. They won't even notice that we have slipped away."
Teasing, she squeezed his hand and said, "What if one of the counselors catches us and calls our parents?"
Adam laughed. "Then I will owe your dad another goat or two, I guess." He pulled her into his arms. "Or he will insist I marry you." His smile was deliciously wolfish. "Again."
She beamed up at him. "Lead me to the lake, then."
***
Mimi stood on the grassy bank next to the placid lake in her bra and panties, watching ripples move outward from Adam's sturdy body as he waded backward into the water. He called out to her, "You will get used to the cold. Your body will adjust quickly, chicken little." He playfully scooped up a handful of water and tossed it at her. Mimi hopped backward, giggling. "I am going to freeze."
The hungry grin he gave her as he sank deeper into the water raised a ripple of goosebumps along her shoulders. "I promise to keep you warm."
Looking down, she touched her fingertips to the band of her bra. The lavender set was one of her favorites. Adam's fondness for expensive underwear had spoiled her. She would never be content to wear Mega Mart underthings again. Her husband sank deeper into the dark water, watching her. The way he responded to her body made her more bold and brazen than she had ever been in her life. Reaching behind her back, she unfastened her bra. His appreciative whistle made her giggle as she held the lace against her breasts. Mimi called out, "Don't look at me."