Chapter 237
**Sara**
I woke to sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, feeling deliciously sore from last night's activities. Tom was already up, the smell of coffee wafting through the air.
"Morning, beautiful." He handed me a steaming mug. "Feel like a little adventure?"
I took a sip, savoring the rich taste. "What kind of adventure?"
"There's a waterfall about ten minutes from here. Thought we could check it out."
Twenty minutes later, we walked hand in hand down a narrow trail. The morning air was crisp, birds chirping overhead.
"When you said waterfall, I pictured something a bit more accessible," I said, swatting at a mosquito.
Tom laughed. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"I left it back at the mansion with my proper shoes." I stumbled over a root, and Tom caught me before I face-planted. "See? These sandals weren't made for wilderness expeditions."
"Want me to carry you?"
"My hero." I batted my eyelashes at him dramatically. "But no, my pride can't take that kind of hit."
The sound of rushing water grew louder as we walked. Through the trees, I caught glimpses of sunlight reflecting off moving water.
"Almost there," Tom said, guiding me around a particularly large boulder. "Watch your step here."
"Normal people go to brunch on Sunday mornings."
"Are you saying you'd rather be at some overpriced restaurant eating avocado toast?"
I pretended to think about it. "Well, the toast wouldn't try to kill me with exposed tree roots."
We emerged from the trees into a clearing, and I stopped dead in my tracks. The waterfall cascaded down dark rocks, creating a misty rainbow where the sunlight hit it. The water was crystal clear, surrounded by moss-covered stones.
The sight literally took my breath away—it was like stumbling into some hidden paradise that tourists never get to see. Small mist droplets settled on my skin, refreshingly cool in the morning warmth. I could see why Tom had insisted on bringing me here instead of letting me sleep in like a normal person.
"Okay," I admitted, "this might be better than avocado toast."
Tom wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Told you so."
"Don't get smug." I elbowed him playfully. "It ruins your ruggedly handsome outdoorsman vibe."
"Ruggedly handsome, huh?"
"And now your head won't fit through the door." I pulled away from him, walking closer to the water's edge. "This is seriously beautiful though."
"Want to go for a swim?"
I turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "In what? I didn't bring a swimsuit."
His grin turned wicked. "Who said anything about needing a swimsuit?"
"Thomas Blackwood, are you suggesting skinny dipping in broad daylight?"
"There's no one around for miles." He was already pulling his shirt over his head. "Live a little, Sara."
I glanced around nervously, but he was right - we were completely alone. The idea was tempting, especially with Tom now standing shirtless, looking like he'd stepped out of a fitness magazine.
"If we get arrested for public indecency, you're paying my bail."
"Deal."
"And if any hikers show up-"
"I'll tell them we're conducting an important scientific study on water temperature variations."
"A scientific study? That's the best excuse you could come up with?"
"Would you prefer 'we're testing the aerodynamics of human bodies in natural water environments'?" Tom's hands moved to his belt buckle, undoing it with practiced ease.
I watched as he kicked off his hiking boots and then slid his jeans down his muscular legs. His boxer briefs followed, and he stood there completely naked, looking like a Greek statue come to life.
"Your turn." His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Unless you're chicken?"
"I'm not chicken." I pulled my sweater over my head, dropping it next to his clothes. "I'm just questioning my life choices that led me to stripping in the middle of the woods with a crazy professor."
"Crazy? I prefer 'spontaneous and adventurous.'"
My fingers trembled slightly as I unzipped my jeans. "Is this what you do with all your students?"
"Only the ones who beat me at Scrabble."
I shimmed out of my jeans, leaving them in a heap on the ground. The cool morning air raised goosebumps as I reached behind to unhook my lace bra.
"You're staring," I said, letting the bra fall away.
"Can you blame me?"
I hooked my thumbs into the waistband of my matching panties, sliding them down slowly. "When I got dressed this morning, I didn't expect to be putting on a strip show in the wilderness."
"Life's full of surprises." Tom's eyes traveled over my body, his appreciation evident. "And this is definitely better than brunch."
The ground was cold beneath my bare feet as I stepped out of my underwear. Despite the privacy of our location, being naked outdoors felt thrillingly taboo. Tom held out his hand to me, and I took it, letting him lead me toward the water.
"Fair warning - if we run into any bears, I'm using you as a human shield."
"Such chivalry," he laughed. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
Tom's hand tightened around mine as we stepped into the water. The cold hit like an electric shock.
"Holy sh-" I jerked back, but Tom pulled me forward. "That's freezing!"
"It's refreshing," he corrected, wading deeper.
"Refreshing? My nipples could cut glass right now." I inched forward, wincing as the water reached my thighs. "This is not how I pictured spending my Sunday morning."
"How did you picture it?" His hands found my waist underwater, drawing me closer.
"In bed. With coffee. Maybe some pancakes. Definitely not freezing my ass off in a mountain stream." Despite my complaints, the water felt incredible against my skin once the initial shock wore off. "You're a terrible influence."
"You love it." He dipped his head to kiss my neck, his lips warm against my cold skin.
"Maybe." I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pressing against him. The contrast between the cool water and his hot skin sent shivers down my spine. "But if I get hypothermia, you're nursing me back to health."
His hands slid lower underwater, cupping my ass. "I'll keep you warm."
"Is that a promise or a- ah!" I squealed as he suddenly lifted me, wrapping my legs around his waist. The water lapped at my breasts, creating interesting sensations. "Warning would've been nice."
"Where's the fun in that?" His mouth found mine, hot and demanding.
I tangled my fingers in his wet hair, grinding against him underwater. The weightlessness made everything feel dreamlike and surreal. His hands kneaded my ass as his tongue explored my mouth, making me forget all about the cold.
"This is crazy," I gasped between kisses.
He walked us deeper until the water reached our shoulders.
The water swirled around my shoulders, creating little eddies against my skin. Tom's strong hands kept me anchored against him as the current tugged playfully at my legs.
"I can think of several ways to warm up." His teeth grazed my earlobe, sending shivers down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold water.
I laughed, splashing water at his face. "Always thinking with your little head?"
"Can you blame me?" His hands slid up my sides underwater. "I've got a gorgeous naked woman wrapped around me in a waterfall. What else am I supposed to think about?"
"Maybe the possibility of fish nibbling at inappropriate places?" I unwound my legs from his waist, letting my feet touch the rocky bottom. "Or water snakes. Or that weird brain-eating amoeba thing."
Tom pulled back, raising an eyebrow. "Way to kill the mood."
"I'm just saying Mother Nature might not appreciate us defiling her pristine waters." I pushed away from him, ducking under the surface. The water was crystal clear - I could see his legs a few feet away.
When I resurfaced, he was watching me with that intense gaze that made my insides melt.
"We could always move this to shallower waters." His voice dropped lower, rougher. "Or that big flat rock over there."
"Down, boy." I swam backward toward the waterfall, loving how his eyes followed my every movement. "Let's actually enjoy this amazing place first. The reason you dragged me out here at the crack of dawn?"
"I am enjoying it." He started swimming toward me with slow, predatory strokes.
"The waterfall, Tom. Not my body."
"Can't I enjoy both?"
I let the falling water hit my shoulders, the powerful spray massaging my muscles. "Later. Right now, I want to pretend I'm in some fancy spa treatment without the hundred-dollar price tag."
Tom reached me, his hands finding my waist under the cascade. "Fine. But I'm keeping track of all these IOUs you're racking up."
"Are you now?" I tilted my head back, letting the water run through my hair. "And what exactly do you plan to do about it?"
"I've got some ideas." He pressed a kiss to my shoulder. "Very detailed, thoroughly researched ideas."
"Of course you do. Always the professor." I splashed him again, laughing at his surprised expression. "But for now, shut up and enjoy the view."
"Trust me," his eyes roamed over my wet skin, "I am."
"The waterfall, Tom. The actual waterfall."
He sighed dramatically. "You're no fun."
"That's not what you said last night." I winked at him before diving under the spray again, enjoying the weightless feeling of floating in the crystal-clear water.
For now, this was perfect - just us, the sound of falling water and the promise of more to come. The rest could wait.
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