17. Sally

The morning after Grandma’s party, the sun is shining. I take that as a good sign to go for a walk with Drakar and some of my cousins. So many of my days lately have been an endless juggling act between hospital visits and work shifts, that I can’t even remember the last time I had the chance to enjoy something as simple as the view.

“This is my favorite part of the whole place,” I motion as we stroll across the cobblestones. My cousins dance around and scamper ahead, their excitement barely contained.

“Not even the enchanted lake?” Drakar is goading me with a slight smirk that tugs on the corners of his voice. One of my younger kin had revealed the old secret of our own ‘enchanted lake,’ a family tall tale that he’s apparently taken with relish.

“Oh the lake is nice, but I think I like the path a little more,” I reply breezily. “The best views of the property are along the path, and the walk always reminds me of the adventures we’ve had over the years.”

My gaze turns wistful as I let the memories filter through. Years of reunions, baby showers, and graduations, they all play through my mind like an old reel.

As if he can sense my thoughts, Drakar entwines his hand with mine in a gesture of reassurance. “It really is a wonderful house. I would have given anything to have a childhood like this.”

Looking down at our entangled fingers, I wonder how we managed to end up being exactly what the other needs. Drakar is bringing some much-needed stability in my life, as I am his. Still, I don’t want to push for anything more serious and wreck what we have. It doesn’t do me any good to go looking for anything beyond our arrangement.

I should be grateful that he’s doing this much, instead of wondering how much longer holding hands is going to hold up. He may be sexy and charming, but the only thing we’ve really got going for us is necessary convenience, and that probably won’t hold forever.

By the time we make it to the water’s edge, the kids have made up a full song about the lake it seems, and are trying to teach us these lyrics. This process might be sped along if they didn’t keep changing the words, but I’m too congenial to point that out, and Drakar is kind enough to play along.

He softly tests out a few of the lines before turning to me apologetically. “Sorry, I’m not much of a singer.” I think his low rumble is reminiscent of Elvis, but I lack the courage to tell him so.

I don’t want him to think I’m flirting with him in front of a bunch of my family members, then I remember that’s exactly what we’re here to do. Flustered by my internal critique, I move to the break line and let the cool water lap at my toes.

My younger cousins have taken it upon themselves to teach Drakar how to skip rocks, and he is patiently submitting to the lesson. He’s rolled up and cuffed his pants and shirtsleeves, but otherwise has no problem wading in the water with the kids.

I steal glances of him out of the corner of my eye, as I trail along the shallow edge of the lake. I’m forming a watchful barrier in case some of the little ones get any ideas about going into deeper depths, but my focus is admittedly split between keeping an eye on the kids, and secretly admiring Drakar’s physique.

It”s hard not to though. Not with those broad shoulders and eyes that glint in the sunlight. And he”s so good with the kids too.

Somewhat distracted, I don’t even realize I’ve slipped on one of the mossier rocks until it’s too late. My footing shoots out from under me. Reeling frantically, there’s just enough time to register the look of shock on Drakar’s face before I’m tumbling off-kilter, into the water.

I feel the water break over my head and instinctively know Drakar jumped in after me. His strong hand grabs my arm, pulling me to the surface as the water bubbles around us.

The effect of the sun transforms his form into something ethereal, like some ancient warrior, or demigod hero.

Drakar kicks us upward, and the propelling motion makes me feel as if we’re flying while the press of his forehead to mine makes me feel inexorably anchored and safe. Together we break the water’s surface.

Still holding my arm, he pulls me out of the water. We both steady ourselves on the bank as our soaking wet clothes hang from our bodies, dripping wildly.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his gaze intense. It makes my stomach knot.

“Yes,” I whisper, suddenly very, very cognizant of the fact that his hand is still touching my arm. The skin prickles with heat under his touch.

Our eyes lock, and the moment is charged before he suddenly leans in, his lips slanting across mine.

Instinctively I open my mouth in response, and he’s there, using a combination of lips and tongue, and oh-so delightful pressure to devastate me. My world narrows to his kiss- his mouth is the only stable thing I can grasp, as everything else around me falls away. There’s no mistaking his intent now- not as his tongue strokes mine invitingly, coaxing my mouth with playful, teasing movements.

His kiss unlocks a torrent of passion between both of us, that climbs higher with every heated lick. His tugging, possessive hold threatens to weaken my knees, and the press of soaking clothes only encourages thoughts of a more lustful exploration. I dimly register logically that I should back off- back away and put some distance between us, but the way his lips savor mine makes me feel powerful.

I feel desirous, emboldened, and beautiful because of his caresses. Confidence and passion thrill through my body like electricity. His hips press firmly against mine, and his hands and lips are moving in a pale imitation of what we could be doing. I’m so busy wondering how I’ve held myself back from this man for this long, that the sudden chorus of whoops and hollers startle me sharply back into reality.

The contrasting sensations of the chilled water lapping at my overheated skin are the first things I register, along with a distant cacophony of familiar voices. My vision is filled with sun rays that streak and shatter along the droplets of water that slide down Drakar’s wide torso.

Shamelessly I follow the slick trails that disappear into the shirt now plastered to his muscles, and find myself sufficiently distracted. Wondering how my tongue will feel tracing the lines of those muscles is a tantalizing thought until another round of catcalls reminds me where I am.

“Sally’s getting her groove on!” The boys start offering up innuendo that I know I’m somehow going to get lectured for.

“Aww yeah, Sal, get some!” It’s borderline inappropriate given the younger kids are still around, and when a couple of them start belting out a bow-chicka-wow melody, I consider jumping back into the lake.

“What’s Sally getting some of?” one of the little ones asks.

“Kisses silly! Duh!” another exclaims, while the others use the commotion as an excuse to start splashing each other.

Groaning in mortification, I glance around in search of some kind of escape route. Drakar gives a quiet chuckle next to my ear, and I shouldn’t find the sound sexy, given the situation, yet I do.

Which happens to cue the arrival of more of my family members. A few of the aunts and uncles have made their way to the shoreline, along with a few of the older cousins who are closer to my age. A few are offering some rounds of applause, while some of the older women are still whopping at the sight of me practically making out with my fake fiance. In front of the younger kids.

Flames of embarrassment erupt over my whole body, and I wish the water would swallow me again- until my family has forgotten about me, or the spring swallows me into the center of the planet. Whichever comes first.

A few of my uncles offer Drakar their congratulations, tinged with smiles and laughter. Others are offering commentary about how pleased they are that I’ll be settling down and not working so hard now that I have a proper incentive, and shame can’t cover me fast enough.

Unwilling to bear any more teasing, and unable to process what just happened, I storm off, water still cascading off my clothes with my movements. I barely register our broken embrace, or even Drakar calling out to me as my feet pick up speed, and swiftly I’m tearing away from the scene.