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 plainly. Hell, if I knew booze was all it took for him to wear his emotions on his sleeve, I probably

gaze and the flex of his fingertips against my

is doing crazy things to me right now, but somehow, even through the fog of my beer buzz, I find the wherewithal to press my palms against his chest and push back to maintain some semblance of distance

the time or place. I just want to enjoy feeling of being close to someone else- to be touched by the only person who can do it without giving me the

after Callum left, but now that he’s back, it’s like parts of me are slowly coming back online. Like I’m finally remembering how

dangerous smirk still dancing across his lips. “Vee said you’re going to make me

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

a hungry spark flaring in them. He suddenly 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

making it up to you right

I hiss, squirming in his grasp. He’s got me locked in 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

his

water laps against our shoulders, our bodies hidden beneath the surface, but I still feel like I’m on full display right now. If

doubt he would be this bold, especially given everything

my ear, his fingers delving further into my bikini bottoms. They’re so close to my clit

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 months, and every ‘should’

as I whisper,

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

asks, his voice gravelly as he continues torturing me with the methodic strumming of his

talk has on me. Heat floods between my legs, and I’m already so close to coming undone that I can

me slowly, grinding his throbbing hard-on against my ass more insistently as he reaches down lower to sink a thick digit inside my pussy. I gasp at the intrusion, clamping my mouth shut hastily

breath hissing out between my teeth in short, frantic bursts. I’m biting my lip so

it, make it last to make up for all those lonely nights, but four months without it has my

than anyone else, just like I know his. We spent weeks exploring and memorizing each other, tangled

finger inside to stretch me wider while the pad of his thumb rubs my

that’ll do it. 1

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

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

kink, but damnit if that doesn’t spark something

down, blinking my eyes open to the harsh afternoon sunlight. Callum’s arms are still wound securely around me as I go boneless in his grasp, dragging gulps of fresh air