That last thought stirred something deep inside her. Maggie reminded herself that she was trying to do things outside of her comfort zone. She was trying to be more carefree, more spontaneous. Before she could talk herself out of it she removed her shirt, then with a deep breath she slid down her shorts. She told herself that her bra and panties were no different than a bikini. Regardless she skipped quickly to the water to submerge herself from view.
The water felt amazing. It was the perfect temperature against the hot day. She rolled her head back, dipping her hair into the water. As she floated on her back underneath the summer sun she felt more relaxed than she’d ever known possible. This was the single most peaceful moment of her life.
She swam until her body was tired and her mind was renewed. This was why she’d come to Georgia. Back on the bank she no longer felt self-conscious as she sprawled out on a large flat rock to dry in the sun. This place felt magical.
His shadow over her alerted her to his presence. She opened her eyes to see him staring down at her, his eyes burned with passion. She made no attempt to cover herself as she lay exposed beneath him. He pulled off his shirt without a word as he towered above her. She smiled coyly at him. He fell to his knees beside her and pulled her into his arms as he kissed her deeply. She ran her hands up his back, feeling his muscles flex beneath her fingers. He kissed her neck, gripping her breast firmly. She moaned in pleasure.
He kissed and nibbled his way to her breasts. With a snap of his fingers her bra popped open and she was completely exposed to him. She ran her fingers through his hair and gripped handfuls of it as he suckled and nipped at the tender buds. He continued to kiss lower leaving a trail down her stomach. He quickly flicked his tongue into her bellybutton and she whimpered and arched beneath him. He lifted his head to look up at her, his blue eyes sparked with electricity. He slipped his thumbs under the waist band of her panties and began to slowly pull them down.
Something jolted Maggie awake. She was still lying on the large sunning rock by the lake, alone. She quickly scrambled for her clothes, still feeling flushed from her erotic dream. She wasn’t sure what had woken her but she felt as if she was being watched. She scurried away from the lake feeling a bit weak in the knees. That dream had been more intense than anything she had ever experienced in real life, and it had felt so real. She could still feel his hands on her.
As she made her way back to the house her breathing gradually slowed and her heart rate returned to normal, but the images from the dream would stay with her the rest of the day and late into that night.
The next day was Tuesday. Maggie waited impatiently for Aaron to arrive. She spent the morning in the kitchen with her new cookbook opened and ingredients strewn across the counters. When she heard the mower circling the house a huge smile broke out across her face. Images from the dream flashed in her mind but she tried to shake them off. She had to remind herself that their last encounter actually involved him rejecting her in the garage, not making love to her by the lake. She tried to tell herself that she should take the hint, but she just didn’t believe that he wasn’t interested. His eyes betrayed him, the way he looked at her sometimes said so much more than his words ever had. She knew she should leave it alone, but knowing he was right outside was just too much for her. She had to see him.
She waited until the sounds of the mower had faded away while she cleaned up the kitchen then she went in search of Aaron. She found him in the driveway trimming the box hedges around the fountain. She waited patiently, leaned against a large column, as he finished his work. He’d just begun to load up his truck when he spotted her watching him from the porch. A wide smile spread across his face at the sight of her and she felt encouraged. She took a few steps down the porch as he walked to meet her.
“Mornin’,” he drawled. She loved his Southern accent and the sexy way his hips swayed as he moved toward her. She loved the way his blue eyes always seemed to be smiling and she was momentarily mesmerized by his dimples. A few seconds passed before she realized it was her turn to speak and she’d just been staring at him like a smiling fool.
“Potato salad,” she blurted out and then closed her eyes in embarrassment. “I’ve made some potato salad,” she clarified, with her eyes still closed. She opened her eyes to see Aaron watching her with an amused expression.
“Would you like some lunch?” She realized that had come out completely jumbled and not at all how she’d practiced in her head.
“I’m trying out a new recipe,” Maggie continued before he could answer. “For the Fourth of July barbeque and I need a taste tester.” She knew she was rambling now, but she just couldn’t seem to help it. “That is if you like potato salad. I have some left over roast chicken too, I could make some sandwiches,” she continued nervously.
“I like potato salad,” he interrupted, thankfully sparing her from rambling further. She smiled with relief.