Monthly Bonus Content #2 —Murky Memories...(Summer Scenario Special—Nat version) (Patreon)

I arch my back, spreading my arms as though in praise to the sun beaming above me, the water a halo about my body.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come in?” I ask, cracking open an eye lazily to look over at Nat. “It’s really lovely.”

She smiles, leaning her hands either side of her thighs to angle forwards as she sits on the end of the pier, her feet barely skimming the water’s surface. I notice a shudder crawl through her every time her soles make contact with the lake.

“If I was swimming with you, then I wouldn’t get the chance to watch you. And seeing you so happy is all I need,” she states.

I sigh. Her words warm me with a gentler heat than the blazing sun, more like an embrace than a fire, but it doesn’t help stem my knot of guilt.

I swim over towards her. “But I feel bad that you’re just…sitting there. Not getting to do anything.”

“Didn’t I just say that watching you is enough?” she repeats with a chuckle, her gaze following me closely as I approach.

A desperate urge tugs at me. I so badly want to know why she won’t come in. I was so sure I saw a flicker of fear flash across her features when we arrived here, yet she was the one who suggested we come.

Another heavy breath falls from me.

“What is it, [redactedpetname]?” Her finger hooks beneath my chin to tip it up to meet her eyes. She’s already tall enough without the advantage of sitting on the jetty above. “Are you really so concerned about me having fun?”

“I just find it odd that you suggest coming here and then don’t actually participate,” I admit with a half shrug.

“Beneath the depths of these large bodies of water linger memories I would rather not be dredged to the light of day,” she says, chewing at her lip as though she was unsure whether to admit it.

I hold her gaze, the depth of them swirling with uncertainty.

Curiosity tingles on my tongue. Questions bubble in my throat.

I do my best to bite it all back.

Trying to pry anything out of Nat that she doesn’t want to share would make getting blood out of a stone look easy.

Instead, I try to bask in the happiness of simply being together without the threat of doom on our heels. That’s a rarity in itself.

I push myself from the bottom of the shallow water and rest my hands on her thighs to hold myself up, nestling between her legs. “At least let me give you something for being so patient while I enjoy the swim.”

“Considering your current position, I’m wondering where you plan to take this,” she implies with a teasing smile that sends a spark erupting in my stomach.

“Well, I was planning on a kiss, but if you—” My words fall short when she cups my face and chuckles.

“A kiss would satisfy me until the end of my days,” she says.

I smile as she leans down to close the gap. “I’ve never met anyone as poetic as you.”

“I was going for romantic.” Her breath washes over my slick skin, my eyes falling closed.

“You managed it.” I barely get the words out before our lips merge. My hands tangle in her hair, drawing her in deeper as I desperately try to lift myself up to meet her kiss.

Her hands draw a trail down my sides, her touch leaving hot, wet paths before she tugs me closer.

My tongue slides over her bottom lip. She tastes of sweet temptation, and I could quickly become an addict.

When we draw apart, her gaze is heavy on mine.

“You should probably get back to swimming. The sun will set soon enough,” she mumbles through deep breaths, brushing her fingers down my cheek.

I push away from the pier, lazing back into the waters, allowing the rush of pleasure to wash over me.

A smile so wide it almost makes my cheeks hurt remains on my lips for the rest of the day.