For a long moment, Nathanial simply stared at her with such an adorably shocked expression upon his face that Charlaine wanted to hug him and assure him all would be well. Although she wished she could hop into the lake, feel the coolness of the water upon her skin, she did not want to make him uncomfortable.
Perhaps a compromise would serve them both.
If Nathanial jumped in, he might come to see how much fun it was and would better understand her desire to try it herself. “Or if you’re still concerned for my reputation,” she said, remembering his earlier concerns, “you could simply leave.” She glanced at the tall trees near the water’s edge. “I’m certain I can get the rope attached myself.”
“I cannot leave you alone,” he huffed out. “What if you get hurt? What if−?”
“Well, then it’s either you or me,” Charlaine said, curious what he would choose. “It’s your decision.”
Almost glaring at her, Nathanial shook his head. “You’re mad, Woman. Completely mad.”
Charlaine chuckled, having long since come to understand these words as a term of endearment. He might not understand her half the time, but neither would he forbid her. After all, he could have dragged her back to the house. He could have told Pierce. He could have…tied her to a tree in order to prevent her from doing what he did not want her to do.
After all, he had a rope slung around his shoulder.
But he did not. He was trying to reason with her, hoping she would come to see the situation as he did. However, Charlaine had no doubt that if he couldn’t, he would not force his opinion on her.
Nathanial was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word.
“Well?” Charlaine prompted, not certain what she was hoping for.
Hanging his head, Nathanial exhaled a deep breath. Then he pulled the rope from his shoulder, gave her an angry look and walked past her toward the tall tree closest to the lake. His head rose and he surveyed the canopy, his gaze drifting from branch to branch, trying to determine which would suit his needs.
Or rather her needs.
Charlaine could barely suppress a chuckle as excitement coursed through her veins. She loved it when Nathanial stepped out of his comfort zone and tried something new, like attending the masquerade or dancing without shoes.
In the end, he had always loved it.
And besides, once the rope was attached, perhaps Charlaine could come back some other time and try it herself after all. Summer was slowly coming to an end, but most days were still warm enough for a quick swim.
With no shoes to begin with, Nathanial began to climb the tree, his long arms and legs facilitating his ascent. From branch to branch, he climbed upward, testing each before moving on. Soon, he stood high up, his view no doubt spectacular.
Charlaine envied him and she glanced down at her summer dress, wishing she could simply walk around in breeches and shirt as he did. It would certainly make climbing a tree easier. No doubt, though, Nathanial would be shocked speechless yet again. But so far, he had been able to adapt to everything she had proposed.
Perhaps…
Tying the rope to a higher branch, Nathanial then made his way downward until he came to stand on a branch perhaps ten paces above the water. The rope lay in his right hand as his gaze shifted from the lake below to her. “I cannot believe I’m doing this!” he called down to her. The corners of his mouth quirked upward and she could see his eyes light up with excitement.
The same excitement that bubbled in her own veins.
Clapping her hands, Charlaine jumped up and down, her limbs eager to move, longing to follow him up into the tree…and then down into the water. “On three!” she called and he nodded. “One! Two! Three!”
Gripping the rope with both hands, Nathanial swung forward until he was free of the tree, only water below him. Then he let go…
…and dropped into the lake with a large splash.
Charlaine laughed as he sank below the surface, displacing the water and causing waves to roll upon the shore where she stood, watching with envy in her heart. She glanced toward the tree where the rope swung softly in the breeze, now free of its burden. For a second, she was tempted to break her promise.
Then Nathanial reappeared, a wide grin upon his face as he began swimming toward her.
Charlaine rested her hands on her hips. “Now, you cannot tell me that that wasn’t fun,” she dared him.
His grin broadened as he stood, wading through the water, his shirt plastered to his broad chest. “Perhaps a little,” he conceded, splashing a little water her way.
“Hey, you’ll get me wet!” Charlaine protested, but then stuck her foot in the water and kicked in his direction, unfortunately splattering no more than a few droplets at him.
Nathanial laughed. “Says the woman who came up with this ludicrous idea!” Again, he splashed water at her and, this time, she felt a few drops soak through the thin fabric of her dress.
Annoyed with him, Charlaine knelt down, scooped some water into her hands and threw it at him as he stepped out onto the shore. It hit him right in the back! Unfortunately, the impact was minimal considering he was already soaked from head to toe. Still, a wicked grin appeared on his face as he turned to look at her.
A moment later, he spun around and came toward her, the threat of retribution burning in his eyes.
Shrieking, Charlaine retreated, her back now toward the lake, a most unfortunate position for her right foot slid down the bank and into the water. She could feel her hem soaking through, but she did not care. Her eyes were fixed on Nathanial as he advanced and she retreated. The cool water felt wonderful against her legs and her hands reached down to throw more his way.
Dodging the splash, Nathanial moved quickly and before Charlaine knew what was happening, his cold hand closed around her wrist, her heated skin all but sighing at the cooling contact. “I thought you didn’t want to get wet,” he laughed before he shook his head from side to side, sending a spray of water at her.
Charlaine shrieked yet again, enjoying herself immensely, and tried to break free. His grip, however, would not loosen and they moved in a strange imitation of a tug-of-war through the water. Charlaine could not say if they were wading in deeper or back to shore until her foot slipped on a smooth rock.
Unable to regain her balance, she fell backward, pulling Nathanial along as his hand was still wrapped around her wrist. They stumbled a few steps before Charlaine felt her world turn upside down. Her eyes closed as a sense of weightlessness came over her. It only lasted for a split second before she fell into the soft grass upon the bank, her feet still in the lake.
Water drops fell down upon her face and, momentarily, Charlaine wondered if it had started to rain. However, when she opened her eyes, she found Nathanial all but hovering above her, his arms braced to the left and right of her head, water dripping down from his chin and nose and onto her skin.
“You’re getting me wet,” she chided him yet again, a wide smile upon her face as she reached up to brush the water from his face.
Nathanial chuckled. “You’re mad,” he said once again, his blue gaze looking down at her. “Absolutely and completely mad.”
“Perhaps,” she whispered as her hands ran down the sides of his neck and onto his shoulders, suddenly unable not to touch him, “but then what are you?”
The smile slid from his face and he swallowed. “I must be, too,” he murmured, his chest moving with each rapid breath, before his gaze dropped to her lips, “for it seems I cannot resist you.”
And from one moment to the next, everything changed again.
No longer were they locked in a friendly battle, teasing each other as friends were wont to do. No, all of a sudden, Charlaine was very much aware of his large body hovering above hers, his gaze dark and captivating. That muscle in his jaw twitched as his gaze dropped from hers to trace the line of her upper lip.
Charlaine felt her breath lodge in her throat. He’s going to kiss me! That voice screamed once again. Or isn’t he?
Only too well did Charlaine remember her disappointment when Nathanial had retreated from her in the stables. She had wanted him to kiss her, but she had been confused at the time, overwhelmed and unprepared to stop him from drawing away.
Now, she was not. Now, she knew what she wanted…for it seemed he wanted it as well.
Without thought, her hands tightened on his shoulders, a soft pressure, urging him closer.
Nathanial’s eyes shot back up to meet hers, his jaw tightening, his gaze wide and dazed, but tempted nonetheless. And then he moved closer, slowly lowering himself down to her.
Charlaine closed her eyes…
…and then his lips brushed against hers.