Diamonds in the Rough. Portia Da Costa

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      Why in heaven’s name did I say that?

      “Very tempting, but I think you deserve some privacy, cousin. I’ve teased you far too much already.” With that, he waded out farther, his fine back disappearing beneath the water until only his head was showing. His shaggy black hair kissed the surface of the stream.

      Infuriating beast!

      Adela grappled with her clothing, muttering to herself. Wilson really was the most contrary creature she’d ever met, or could imagine meeting. He was so fickle, changing tack again and again, that she just didn’t know where she stood with him.

      Buttons and ribbons and garters defied her. She tugged and wrenched. Wilson didn’t think that she dare unclothe herself before him, but she would show him. She would show him, indeed, show him everything. But she had to do it before her nerve failed her.

      Though the day was warm, she shivered as she unveiled her skin. It was the strangest sensation to be naked in the open air. She’d only ever undressed to bathe before, in the privacy of her bedroom or the bathroom. Even when she’d swum in the sea, she’d disrobed in the safely of the bathing machine, and come out in a voluminous costume. Now, a light breeze flowed over her bare skin, like zephyr’s caress. Her nipples had already firmed, but the sense of exposure made them tingle in a way that was half pain, half pleasure.

      Out in the water, she saw Wilson turn his head. Was he looking at her even though he’d said he wouldn’t? She wouldn’t be at all surprised.... But she resisted the urge to try and cover herself with arms and hands. Let him see! Let him know she wasn’t afraid of him! Padding across the turf, she made for the water’s edge, her body still in conflict, incompatible compulsions at war. But still she managed to keep her arms at her side.

      “Good grief!”

      The flowing river was cold, despite the warm sunny day. The chill hit her like a blow, but she waded forward, clamping her jaws together to stop her teeth chattering.

      “I did warn you it was cold,” said Wilson, cutting through the water toward her as she sank to shoulder level, almost in a state of shock.

      “I thought you were just claiming that to excuse the small size of your organ,” she retorted, her voice half choked by the frigidity of the water.

      “Touché,” replied Wilson, up close now. Very close indeed. Adela glanced down and realized that the water was unexpectedly clear, like crystal, and she could see every detail of his body.

      As he must be able to see every detail of hers. The devil, he’d known this all along. He was almost flaunting himself, swaying in the water, making his penis move slowly. It seemed to have acclimatized itself to the temperature and was quite sizable.

      “Shall we swim a little...get out of our depth?”

      I’m already way out of my depth.

      Wilson reached out beneath the water and took her hand, leading her into the deepest part of the stream.

      The flow was erratic, faster here, and for a moment she was afraid of something other than her randy cousin. When she’d indulged in sea bathing, it had been in a sheltered cove, noted for its lack of currents and breakers. This stretch of the river was actually far more active.

      As if sensing her fears, Wilson tightened his hold on her hand, and immediately she felt safe again. Well, safe from drowning. Of other hazards, she wasn’t so sure.

      They swam around for a while, Wilson setting her free when she found her confidence, and Adela was quickly exhilarated by the sensations and the freedom. Water against her skin was even more seductive than air. It was like being embraced by cool silk that flowed everywhere, tantalizing her most sensitive zones. Her very soul seemed to open like a flower, subtly stimulated, not only by the water, but by the presence of her handsome, provocative companion with his probing silvery eyes and his strong, masculine body. She knew she would have to face up to both when they eventually left the stream again.

      Invigorating as the swim was, Adela knew she couldn’t stay in the river forever, so as she felt herself beginning to tire, she made for the bank. Not giving herself even a heartbeat’s hesitation, she climbed out of the water, trying to move as elegantly as she could.

      Once on the shore again, she felt the cool breeze lick her skin, and began to shiver, her teeth chattering.

      Oh, fiddle, how on earth am I going to dry myself? She’d have to use her petticoats, but then they would be damp when she put them on. Wonderful as her dip had been, second thoughts rushed in, in abundance.

      The slosh of water as Wilson emerged, too, made her turn around, even though she’d not planned to. His eyes narrowed, and she knew he’d seen her shivering.

      “Sit down on my dressing gown. I’ll dry you.”

      “But—”

      “No buts. Don’t be silly, woman.”

      Adela did as she was told, and the moment she was settled, Wilson snatched up his white shirt and began rubbing her vigorously with it, massaging her skin and stimulating the flow of blood as well as drying her.

      The sensation was delicious, warming to the senses and unexpectedly relaxing. Adela almost purred as her circulation heated and surged.

      “Better?”

      “Blissful!” She said it without thought. It was true, too, but a second later, dangerously revealing. Here she was, being handled by a man, with only a layer of fine cotton between his fingers and her body—and Wilson didn’t hold back; he was drying her everywhere. He rubbed the shirt over her breasts, the action slower and more circumspect, in respect of the more delicate nature of her anatomy there, but with his hands curved in a way that was cupping and caressing. Adela knew she should command him to stop, and tell him that she’d deal with those areas herself, thank you very much. But she couldn’t. She liked it. She liked it a lot. Coming up on her knees, pretending to investigate her bedraggled hair, and her half-collapsed chignon, she invited him to take further liberties.

      Wilson doubled up the cloth of the shirt, slipped it between her thighs and began to rub it gently back and forth.

      Adela grabbed his shoulder. Their eyes met. The shirt moved slowly, but he was silently asking the question, Shall I stop?

      This was scandalous. Forbidden. Beyond daring. Yet so heavenly that Adela could not resist. She dug her nails into Wilson’s bare shoulder and let out a small, indistinct sound of assent.

      The soft, slightly damp cloth molded to her sex, and she could feel his fingers through it. They sought and found her most sensitive spot, dividing her curls. He moved beside her to gain better purchase, his other hand settling on the small of her back. Adela bore down, rocking now, and moaning at the heavy, gathering sensation. She knew what it was. The books in her grandfather’s library said very little about a woman’s side of things, but her faster classmates at the ladies’ collegiate had seemed to know all of it, and their racy talk fired her to experiment. The pleasure she’d experienced had been intense and shocking, and even though the whispers at the collegiate had implied it was a wicked sin, and perverse, Adela didn’t think so. Something so lovely couldn’t be all that bad.

      And it wasn’t bad now. It was wonderful. Even though she was taking the most enormous risk, letting her disreputable and infuriating cousin do it to her.

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