Broken Bond by C.J. Primer

33

VANESSA

When Vienna brought me out here today, I underestimated her commitment to making sure I let loose and have fun. She pulled me into a game of beer pong against Fallon and Serena, talked me into partnering up with Alec for chicken fights in the water against her and Chase, and has replenished my beer every time it started to get low. I’m not a big drinker but I’m rolling on a solid buzz at this point, and I can tell that my girl Vee is past her threshold by the way she’s glassy- eyed and hanging off Chase.

Having endured more than enough of their PDA, I announce that I’m going swimming, kicking off my flip-flops and shorts and heading for the water’s edge. This place is a complete contrast to the hot springs by the lodge- while that water is always piping hot, this water seems to be perpetually cold. It

stings my skin like tiny needle points as I wade into the pool, my breath catching from the shock in temperature change. I flop backwards once I’m waist-deep, spreading my arms and legs and floating on top of the water, releasing a breathy sigh of satisfaction.

This is the life. The sun is hot, the water’s cold, and my body’s relaxed from the copious amount of alcohol running through my bloodstream. My eyes slide closed as I float, losing myself in the moment and allowing my sluggish mind to go blank.

My peaceful relaxation doesn’t last long. I’m floating along, minding my own business, when I suddenly feel an arm wind around my waist, pulling my body down into the water. My eyes snap open, limbs thrashing as my mind struggles to catch up to what’s happening. My head stays above water, but my body’s yanked backwards against a hard chest.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” a low voice rumbles in my ear, eliciting a tingle of excitement at the realization of who it is that has ahold of me. Callum’s strong, tattooed forearm tightens around my middle, the hard ridge of his erection riding against the crack of my ass. Either that whole cold water causing shrinkage thing is a lie, or it’s bigger than I remember. 2

Great, now I’m thinking about his dick.

Cal’s lips tickle my ear as he speaks again in a throaty murmur. “Remember the last time we went swimming?”

A shiver runs through me, and I’m not sure if it’s from the cold water or the memory that question ignites. How could I forget the first time he brought me to a toe-curling orgasm without even taking my underwear off?

I don’t need a mirror to know my face is crimson. I wriggle free from his grip, feet finding the rocky bottom of the swimming hole. Water splashes as I spin around to face him.

Callum’s turquoise eyes are glassy, a lazy grin spread across his lips. He looks… different. More relaxed than usual. “You’ve been drinking,” I think aloud.

He runs his tongue over his teeth, nodding in affirmation.

I arch a brow. “What happened to always keeping a clear head?”

Callum’s hands land on my waist, fingers tightening and tugging me closer. Cool water sloshes between our upper bodies from the force of the movement. “Like that’s possible around you these days,” he growls, his carefree smile dissolving into a tight frown. “You and Miles…”

“Are over,” I supply.

so buttoned up- it’s strange to see them play out on his face so plainly. Hell, if I knew

me as Callum’s hands slide down to my hips. His devious gaze and the flex of his fingertips against my flesh are

of my beer buzz, I find the wherewithal to press my

want to enjoy feeling of being close to someone else- to be touched by the only person who can do it without giving me

he’s back, it’s like parts of me are slowly coming back online. Like I’m finally remembering how to be myself again.

narrows his eyes on me, a dangerous smirk still dancing across his lips. “Vee said

own in return. Of course my bestie has already delivered a warning. If I know her, and I do, I’ll bet it also came with a threat to cause bodily harm if he screws up again. “Damn right I am,” I reply, wetting my lips with my tongue.

spins me around by the hips, locking an arm around my waist and yanking me back into his chest again. I shudder a gasp at the

landing flat on my belly. “Maybe I should start making it up to you right now …” His hand glides down my stomach

tightly, though, and my fight is futile. His fingertips brush the top edge of my bikini bottoms, my eyes flying wide as they wriggle beneath the fabric. I’m suddenly all too aware of the number of people in the water around us, my throat tightening in a

walking us backwards through the water until his back collides with the rock face on the rear edge

the surface, but I still feel like I’m

buzzed, I would’ve put a stop to this as soon as he grabbed for me. If he wasn’t a little drunk, I doubt he would be this bold, especially given everything we’ve gone through lately. We’ve been walking on eggshells around one another, but the alcohol has lowered our inhibitions just enough to have us both making questionable

stop?” Callum rumbles in my ear, his fingers delving further into my

I should say we need to have a real conversation and figure our shit out before this goes any farther. I should point out the number of people around, and how it’s entirely inappropriate for him to have his hand down my pants in front of an audience. But I haven’t been touched like this in

hotter as I

hand fully into my bikini bottoms, fingers. immediately finding my clit, and I have to bite down on my lower lip to stop from screaming out at the sudden jolt of pleasure. All my nerves fire to life, desire coiling

voice gravelly as he continues torturing me with the methodic strumming of his fingers. “Or are you gonna let everyone hear how you scream for me?”

on me. Heat floods between my legs, and I’m already

gasp at the intrusion, clamping my mouth shut hastily and darting my gaze around in alarm. Somehow, nobody seems to have noticed us tucked away

with the same rhythm of his hips punching against my backside, my breath hissing out between my teeth in short, frantic bursts. I’m biting my lip so hard to hold back my moans that tears spring to my eyes, the metallic tinge of blood coating my tongue.

it last to make up for all those

spent weeks exploring and memorizing each other, tangled up in and consumed by one another. He knows my tells, knows how close I am.

the pad of his thumb rubs my clit relentlessly. Let go, babe. I

that’ll do

because it has been so long, or maybe it’s just because it’s him. Either way, the coil in

buck, my body jerking, ripples forming around us in the water. It takes everything

but damnit if

come back down, blinking my eyes open to the harsh afternoon sunlight. Callum’s arms are still wound securely around