Chapter 23

Elliot and I travel back home, exhausted and sun kissed from our day on the lake. I feel a new level of connection with him. Out there on that boat for hours was peaceful and quiet, it was our own little oasis. Though we've had the time to learn each other's bodies, memorizing every inch and curve of them, we're finally taking the time to learn who each other is as an individual and how we've come together as something much more.

It takes me a few minutes to regain my "land legs" as we stumble inside the building, my body still feeling as though it's on the boat, rocking on the waves. We return to the apartment, Elliot unlocks the door and I enter his bedroom, dying to get out of the cold, damp swimsuit that clings to my body. I begin to undress, stepping out of my swimsuit, dropping it down to my feet, wincing and sucking in a sharp breath of air as I do. I look down and notice defined burn lines on my chest.

I tie my hair up in a messy bun on the top of my head and look down once