The Varkas Brothers And Their Princess novel Chapter 60

AXEL

Rosette stared at the water, biting her bottom lip, and I wanted to make her stop with my mouth.

“You overthink,” I said as I took off my shoes and socks, almost falling into the water when the boat rocked.

Rosette rushed forward as if she was going to catch me if I fell. She paused when she saw I had straightened, breathing heavily.

“The water is cold, you fool!” she snapped, looking back at the water. “How can we go swimming?”

The pants came off next, and I was left in my fly. “It’s not as cold as you’re thinking. And I’m here to keep you warm.”

She snapped her head to me. “What good-”

But her words were cut off when she saw I was almost naked, swallowing as her eyes trailed over me. I stood still, letting her drink her full.

“What’s that look in your eyes, sweetheart?” I teased.

She swallowed again before she looked back at me. “W–what look?”

“That look that says there’s nothing more you want to do than rip off this last piece of fabric and climb on me.”

She blushed, all the way from her chest to her cheeks, looking away from me. So fucking beautiful.

“I don’t have that look.”

I just scoffed, saying, “Sure,” before I jumped into the water without warning.

I heard Rosette’s scream, but I was already deep in the water. The cold feeling of the water stung me, surrounding me as I plunged down and down.

Rosette screamed my name, her voice muffled. I swim back up, my muscles burning.

I gasped when I reached the surface, pushing my hair back from my face, my hands spread as I stayed floating Rosette was on the edge of the boat, her eyes wide as she looked at me.

“You’re such a fool,” she breathed.

“That, among others. Did you think I was going to drown?”

She said nothing, just glaring at me.

“Come on,” I said softly. “It’s not as cold as you think.”

She looked at the water before she looked at me. Then, she sighed, slowly raising to her feet, trying to find balance on the rocking boat. She changed her mind and just sat back down.

I watched, with my eyes glued to her, my breathing picking up as she unzipped her gown and dragged it down. She was now left in her underwear. The sun seems to shine down on her and make her skin glow, make me hungry, and my mouth water.

But no, Axel. No lust. Just passion, and perhaps… a newfound love. That’s if she’ll let me.

She took off her heels, and she finally stood up, and all I could do was stare, and stare at this magnificent being. At her curves, and hip dips, her thighs that I wanted to part with my face, the soft swell of her belly.

She’s added weight since the last time I saw her. Why was I only noticing this now?

“You’ve gained weight,” I muttered, my eyes glued to her body like I would drown if I looked away.

“Do you hate it?”

My eyes snapped to her. “Do I hate it?” I scoffed. “Tell me what look in my face tells you I hate it.”

She looked away, biting that lip again.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing herself even closer to me, and I swallowed hard. “Well, we’re not naked, are we?”

I finally managed to look away from her lips and up to her eyes. “No,” I breathed. “We’re not.”

Her eyes dropped to my lips again, and hers parted softly. I know what she wanted–hell, I wanted that too- but I can’t. The point of all of this was to show us both that this thing between us was so much more than lust.

I’ve realized that I was in love, so I know it’s not just lust that’s leading our relationship. But what about her? Does she feel nothing but lust? Doesn’t she feel this confusing, complicated, intense emotion that was love?

I wanted to ask her. I wanted to ask her so bad, but not yet. This timing isn’t right.

“I like the sound of your laughter,” I blurted.

She scoffed, caught by surprise. “So what? You’re going to ask me to laugh more often?”

I shook my head. “No, don’t. The rarity of it makes it even more special.”

And the beautiful blush returns. “Do you have these words written somewhere?”

“And if I say yes?”

“Then I’ll give you two points.”

A laugh burst out of me, loud and genuine. The first genuine laugh I’ve had all year.

Rosette was smiling. “And I like the sound of your laughter.”

I raised a teasing eyebrow. “You’re going to tell me to laugh more often?”

Her smile widened. “Yes.”