Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

Whoever invented couple's massages had clearly not gone to one with someone as sexy as Liddy.

Callum tried not to stare as the massage therapist drew back the curtain separating them while they'd both been disrobing.

And while the idea of getting rubbed down by expert hands had been appealing when Liddy had suggested it, he hadn't given thought to the fact that they'd both be naked on beds beside each other. Sure, there were warm sheets, but if he rolled over now, he'd be pitching a tent.

He lifted his head and snuck a glance at her. She was face down, the massage therapist working on her leg, which was bare up to her glutes, the sheets tucked between her legs.

Nope, got to look down again.

Was this what all couple's massages were like for men? Because this wasn't entirely relaxing. Sure, it felt good to have the massage therapist rub away all the kinks in his shoulders, but he wasn't thinking about that.

He was thinking about Liddy. Naked.

And he was horny as fuck.

This went far beyond the platonic "I like you" from this morning.

Every fucking thought of her now was sexual.

Callum squeezed his eyes shut.

She didn't have to wear an ounce of makeup to be beautiful. When she'd gotten out of the shower in that bathrobe this morning, it'd nearly undone him. He'd been keenly aware of her in the bed during the night. No wonder she hadn't wanted to share a bed with him at La Hacienda.

I have to force myself to think about something else, or I'll never be able to leave this massage table.

He tried to zone out, listen to the spa music, and the birds in the surrounding trees. The spa at Tabacón was outdoors, in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by the hot springs the resort was famous for. The constant rush of water nearby made it feel like he was floating in a river near a waterfall.

He took a deep breath, channeling his mother's chants. She'd tried and failed to get both of her children into yoga, though Isla had admitted to him last year that she'd started doing hot yoga occasionally. Sophia, on the other hand, had loved it. Maybe because her mother had loved it, too.

Thoughts of Sophia and his mother did two things. First, thank God, it calmed his raging libido. Nothing subdues a hard-on than thoughts of your mum and cheating ex. But it also reminded Callum of the argument he'd had with Liddy the day before.

"You can say all you want about not caring what people think, but that's easy when you won't let anyone get close enough to hurt you."

She wasn't wrong, though.

He had done that.

When was the last time he'd let anyone get close?

He'd put a moratorium on all relationships after his breakup with Sophia five years earlier. He wanted nothing to do with anything like that again. Sure, he'd been young and foolish, thinking that his girl was different. And in university, when his mates had been out there enjoying themselves, he'd been saddled by the commitment of a long-term, long-distance girlfriend he'd had since he was a teenager.

What a dumb fuck I was.

Since then, he'd been happy to dodge all attempts at relationships. The beginning stage of attraction, when everything was carnal and lust heightened the experience of sex, was the best part anyway. He had no desire to stick around for anything that went beyond that.

The result was that Liddy was the closest any woman had ever gotten recently.

And she'd seen through him in an instant.

Which was why he needed to be cautious. He couldn't mistake the first connection he'd made with anyone in years as genuine feelings. That would just be foolish.

He blanked his mind eventually, and by the time the massage ended, he'd been able to relax into it. Liddy had booked some sort of waxing package, so she went off with another therapist to a room while he got back into the robe and flip-flops they'd provided him at the check-in to the spa.

He'd grabbed a T-shirt, board shorts, and sweatshirt at the gift shop while Liddy had picked up a dress and a few bikinis. She'd hesitated in front of the racks of swimsuits, but they hadn't carried anything else. Then she'd grabbed a T-shirt. "I'll just use this as a cover-up," she'd said.

Now, as he went back to the changing room and pulled on the board shorts and T-shirt, he could practically visualize her in one of those bikinis. He had no doubt she would look fantastic in them.

Yet she still feels the need to hide.

Her condition hadn't twisted her visibly—whatever treatment she'd received had taken care of her external appearance as best as possible—but it had clearly left her with insecurities. And he hated that for her.

Callum waited for her on a bench just past the entrance to the spa, watching as couples strolled through the adults-only area of the hot springs. This was a romantic getaway, for sure, which was probably why it felt so dangerous. They might have to go back to pretending to be a couple when they got back to Samara, but they weren't one.

And it's all feeling blurred.

After about thirty minutes, Liddy came out of the spa, wearing her T-shirt, her bikini bottoms peeking out past the hem. "You didn't have to wait for me," she said with a smile.

She looked refreshed, her cheeks pink and flushed.

"What else was I going to do? Go down the slide into the pool by myself? Grab a pina colada at the swim-up bar?"

"Oh, that sounds good. We'll have to do that." She glanced through the winding pathways that led to the springs. "But I'm dying to get in the hot springs. What about you?"

"Your wish is my command, my lady."

"Thanks, Coach."

He chuckled. If anyone else called me Coach like Liddy is doing, I'd probably want to deck them. But it's...cute when she does it. Also worrying that he liked it so much.

They left their few belongings in lockers near the springs, but the T-shirt stayed on. He tugged at it. "You going to get this wet? It might weigh you down a bit."

Liddy squirmed. "I don't feel comfortable without it."

He crossed his arms. "Have you ever worn a bikini?"

She shook her head, biting her lip. She has to stop doing that. It makes me want to do it.

"Okay." He fought through his thoughts. "Then why not now? You're somewhere you don't know anyone—except me—and I promise not to look at you if you prefer."

She laughed. "You're going to spend the whole time at the hot springs with me but not look at me?"

He put his palms up. "If that's what it takes for you to be comfortable."

She shook her head, then said, "All right, fine. But I'll be nice. You can't look at me until we get in the water. And I'll walk behind you." She tugged the shirt up. "Turn around."

Dutifully, he turned. Now what have I gone and promised?

She disappeared, stashing the shirt in the locker, then returned. "You know. I'm not sure if I trust you," she said from behind. "Why don't you keep your eyes closed until we're in the water?"

"How the hell am I supposed to get to the water?"

Her hand slipped into his. "I'll guide you."

This feels like trouble.

And not because he couldn't see where he was going. But because each time he touched her, he wanted more.

Liddy's hand tightened against his as she tugged him forward. "It's an unobstructed path. You'll be perfectly safe. I'll just lead you over there and get in, and then you can get in after me."

"Question." He really shouldn't ask, but she was making it impossible for him not to wonder, given her worries about being seen in a bikini.

"What?"

"Are you a virgin?"

Her fingertips reflexed, just slightly. "Um . . . no."

"But you don't like anyone to see you naked, right?" He was increasingly aware of her proximity, the softness of her hand against his.

"You'd be amazed at what you can do with the lights off."

"So you've never let any man look at you?" They were closer to the hot springs now. He could feel it from the humidity that hung in the air, the sound of the rushing water drawing ever nearer.

"Callum Scott, these are not the sort of discussions you and I are supposed to have. You know I can turn the tables—like...ask you your favorite position. If you like lots of foreplay or just jumping each other?—"

"Hot and heavy is infinitely preferable because it usually means foreplay isn't necessary."

Liddy paused mid-step, which caused a break in their hand holding. "Wait, Callum?—"

But it was too late. He'd already stepped from the path, straight into the blazing hot water. The temperature would have been tolerable, but he was unprepared for a sudden dousing, and his foot slipped against a rock as he went tumbling into the shallow pool with a splash.

Oh, fuck me.

Callum tried to keep water out of his nose by blowing out, his eyes popping open almost involuntarily. Bubbles surrounded his face as he came back up, dripping.

Liddy watched him, open-mouthed, from the nearby path, a mixture of horror and amusement in her expression. "Are you all right?"

Only a few people were in their vicinity, but he was certain he'd been seen falling into the water like a fool—if by no one else, by Liddy. He sat, knees popping out of the water, as he did a mental check. His hip was a little bruised, but otherwise, nothing felt abnormal. "I think I mostly smashed my dignity."

Liddy laughed, and his gaze focused on her.

She's . . . incredible.

And he absolutely hated anyone who had made her feel otherwise.

She caught his stare and gave him a scolding look as she rushed into the water. "You're not supposed to be looking at me. You promised."

"And you promised to lead me safely. Look where I am." He gestured around him. "A completely inglorious entrance into a bloody hot spring."

As she submerged herself, she scooted past him. Callum reached out and caught her hand. "Let's go this way."

He led her to the deeper part of the pool, then followed the water upstream, climbing over rocks to get farther away from other people.

Maybe it was the fact that they were in the hot springs, or perhaps it was because the resort was supposed to be a romantic getaway for couples, but the setting was idyllic. Public but intimate. They found a small pool that didn't have room for more than the two of them, a cascade of water coming down black rock surrounded by lush green ferns, orange and red parrot flowers, and purple orchids. The beautiful part of Costa Rica he'd largely forgotten.

As they climbed in, they were only inches from each other. Inches from possibility. "Come here, you gorgeous woman."

She turned toward him sharply, her eyes widening, and he pulled her closer, spreading her palm flat against his. His thumb stroked the inside of her palm, and she glanced down toward it, a blush spreading on her face. Her luscious lips were pink. Droplets of water dripped from her long, dark hair, cascading over her shoulder.

Electricity seemed to crackle through his fingertips as he touched her.

I want to hold her.

All of her.

Everything he wanted to tell her was suffocating him.

But he had to.

"You are so beautiful, Liddy. And I'm sorry if I'm crossing some boundary by telling you, but I couldn't live with myself if I said nothing. Whoever hurt you enough to make you feel like you had to spend your life hiding . . . I wish I could find every single one of them and punch them in the face. You aren't lacking in any way. You're sexy and hilarious. And, God, any man who sees you and doesn't want to touch every inch of your flawless body is blind."

Liddy slid her arms around his neck, her lips tantalizing close to his as she scooted forward in the water. "Liar," she whispered, her eyes locked with his. "But you've got some lines, Callum Scott. I'll give you that."

Her lips dropped to his with gentle but firm pressure, and his breath caught. His heart thudded faster.

I could lose myself to this woman.

But he didn't care about that right now.

He closed his eyes, his mouth slanting over hers as he returned her kiss.

A sweet, hungry kiss that made him want to mold his body against hers.

Slow down.

But he couldn't. Instead, his hands slipped around the smooth skin of her waist. He barely convinced himself to keep them safely there when she moaned softly, her mouth opening to his. As her tongue darted into his mouth, then collided against his own, he slipped his hands up her back, tangling his fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck.

God, this feels fucking amazing.

Pulling back, he leaned his forehead against hers, releasing hard, panting breaths. "Is this okay?"

His gaze dropped to where her breasts were tantalizingly close to his chest. Her heart was beating so fast that he could see her pulse on those fucking incredible mounds of flesh as they rose and fell with each breath.

She nodded.

That's all I need to know.

The pool was surprisingly deep, up to their chests. A small ledge by the cascade provided a seat for the two of them, but Callum tugged Liddy and then lifted her onto it. He edged closer and slipped his hands onto her thighs.

A smile crept into the corners of her mouth, and she settled a hand onto the back of his neck as the other dug into his hair, tugging him closer. "More than okay," she said.

Their mouths collided with another kiss, this one hotter and more intense than the first. Callum felt himself losing what fragile grip he still had on rational thought. He wanted to taste her, to feel her breasts against his palms.

He groaned, his heart slamming into his ribs as he tugged her closer so that she could feel the hardness of his cock. Her thighs parted, legs wrapping around his waist as he breathed raggedly against her lips. "Fuck, Liddy. You're making it hard to think straight."

She leaned her head back as his lips trailed down her cheek to her neck. Her lips grazed his earlobe. "Right back at you."

He kissed her neck, pausing on that soft spot where her pulse throbbed just below her jawline.

We won't be able to come back from this.

And I don't care.

But she might care and feel used later if he didn't scale back. Like he'd played her with compliments he didn't mean.

The last couple of days had been confusing enough. Taking anything to another level would only make that worse.

Someone clearing his throat made them break apart, arms still around each other. A worker from the resort was nearby. "We don't recommend staying in the water longer than fifteen minutes at a time," he said with a friendly wink, then continued on his way.

Callum settled his hands back on her thighs, putting some distance between them as he straightened.

Liddy released a choking laugh. "I guess that's our warning. God, I'm so embarrassed."

He smiled, then reached for her hand. He kissed the back of it, doing everything in his power not to pull her right back into his arms.

I want to fuck her.

But I have to stop.

Instead of kissing her, he breathed out slowly, then hopped up on the ledge beside her. He kissed her shoulder, still holding her hand, then pulled her to rest against his chest. "So maybe coming to Arenal wasn't the worst decision in the world."

She rested her head against his shoulder. "I'd say it's been perfect. You know—except getting here and all."

He chuckled, trying not to think too much about the obstacles they'd gone through to get to La Fortuna.

Obstacles that might still exist when they left the bubble of this place.

But for now, there was no way in hell he would let it ruin what they'd found here. Connection.

And that had been something missing in his life.