Glass by Suzanne D. Williams Read Free Book Online Page A

him.”
    He released the strand and slipped from behind her. “Okay, now, you’re going to swim. Hold onto the side.” He placed her hands on the edge.
    “Wait … where are you going? Don’t … please.”
    But he’d detached himself and swam out several arms’ lengths. “When I count to three, I want you to let go and push yourself off as hard as you can. I’ll catch you.”
    Fear spiked up her spine. “I can’t. It’s so deep. What if …”
    “Part of swimming is not being afraid, Cerise. You have to move past the fear.”
    “But I am afraid, and you’re … Don’t go out any further.”
    He smiled. “Big prize for your efforts.”
    She quieted. “A prize?”
    “I promise not to let you drown.”
    Was that the prize?
    He opened his arms. “On the count of three.” He was so self-assured, so determined. Was his father that like?
    “One.”
    “Oh, I’m going to hate this.” She gulped, a tremble in her hands shivering up her arms. He wasn’t that far away, and he’d said he would catch her.
    “ Two,” he counted. “Turn sideways more. Like that.”
    Her breath suspended.
    “Three.”
    With a screech, she shoved herself outward and the water closed over her face, warm liquid pushing up her nose. She choked on it. However, in that instant, his hand closed over hers, and he lifted her out. She fell limp against him panting and wheezing, starved for air.
    The form and fit of his figure struck her first, his muscles rippling against her curves, their bodies tailored to each other. The truth stared up at her. This was what he’d wanted, to show her what would happen if she’d only give in.
    What was happening?
    The placement of his legs on the bottom brought them to a halt. She raised her head, conscious only of their next breath, because that’s how it felt – as if they breathed together. A rush skimmed over her skin, prickles of sensation that urged her forward, headlong, mind numb, body aware, alive.
    Who cared what was happening? Nothing mattered. Nothing.
    His lips on hers blinded her to anything but longing and desire, and craving from somewhere deep within. He worked over her mouth, inhaling and exhaling, sliding his tongue alongside hers.
    H er arms slipped around his neck, and she pressed in. Devoured. Obsessed. Consumed.
     
    ***
     
    He had no wish to stop and she apparently had no wish for him to stop. But the plunge of the pool into complete darkness separated them. He cast his gaze upward.
    “I thought you said you were self-sufficient?” h e asked, the taste of her lingering on his lips.
    “Self-sufficient, not invincible. It is an old house.” She twisted in his grip. “I need to go check on Grandmother.” Her hand found the side of the pool, and she tugged free then hoisted herself upward. The splash of water from her exit overrode the storm in his ears for a brief time.
    He stuck out a hand and found her ankle. “You’ll leave me here in the dark?”
    Her wet skin slipped in his grip, and her hand found his face. She captured his mouth. “What have you done to me, Andre Garner?”
    He laughed lightly. “Proven you’re a woman.”
    They kissed again, drawing the timespan out. “I must go, but I will find you later. At your room.”
    “You can na vigate in the dark?” he called, his words echoing back to him.
    Her footsteps padded away from the pool. “I’ll be fine.”
    The clunk of the door announced her exit. Left on his own, he hauled himself out of the pool, using the painted light of the stained glass as a guide toward his clothing. Fumbling in the dimly lit dressing space, he changed quickly and made his way back to the staircase. Navigating the stairs in complete darkness was a feat, and he was relieved to reach the top and the cool texture of the door. But he had the hallway still to follow. He held onto the hope he wouldn’t get lost and groaned minutes later realizing that he was.
    He looked behind. Where had he gone wrong? There’d been a corner at