Strawberry Wine by Kristy Phillips Page A

thief in you has struck again. Sadly, this time it seems the problem has grown now to encompass pants and,” he craned his neck to see if his boots were visible, “boots as well.” Jason shook his head in mock pity.
    Alli stood and grabbed ahold of the thick rope swing. The rope was just long enough for the end to dangle in the water about three inches. Leaning on the rope, she looked pointedly at the murky water at his waist.
    “Tis a foolish man that goes skinny dipping while trespassing on private property in broad daylight.”
    Jason slowly started making his way toward the rope. “Who says I’m skinny dipping? Did you notice any boxers in your contraband pile of clothes?”
    This made Alli pause, and take a mental inventory of the clothes she had hidden. He was right, she hadn’t noticed any boxers.
    “Ah, so the age old question of boxers or briefs is answered. You’re a boxers man.” Alli leaned out farther to taunt him more effectively.
    “Nope.” Was all he answered as he whipped out a hand and yanked on the rope, pulling Alli into the pool with a graceless splash.
    She came up spluttering to the surface to the sound of his ringing laughter. She lost her footing and splashed back under, and then his arms were around her, holding her head and shoulders above the water.
    “You okay?” He asked, though he could see she was more annoyed than upset.
    “I shouldn’t have assumed you knew how to swim.”
    Alli replied in her best school marm voice. “I’ll have you know, I am an excellent swimmer.” Then, because God obviously had a sense of humor, and very much enjoyed a good laugh at her expense, she promptly slipped again.
    This time when he pulled her up he eased them toward the bank. “You were saying?” He teased.
    Alli was about to come back with a snippy retort when it dawned on her that she was being held against a mostly naked man, and she could think of better things to do during this time than trade jabs.
    “Now that I think about it,” she stared intently at him, watching his face for reaction. “I do feel a very serious cramp coming on.”
    Fire flashed in his eyes, and his voice was deeper when he answered, “That can be very dangerous. You really shouldn’t swim within thirty minutes of...” He didn’t finish the sentence, because his lips had reached hers.
    His lips were warm despite the cool temperature of the water. Alli shivered, and wrapped her arms around his neck. That was all the encouragement he needed. He coaxed her mouth open with his gentle, insistent lips. He tasted faintly of cinnamon. Alli timidly ran her tongue against his in a serpentine dance.
    They had reached the sharply sloping bank. A small shelf jutted out at waist height, and Jason balanced her against this as he kissed his way down her throat. Alli’s white tank top had been rendered transparent by the water. He could easily make out the darkness of her areola straining against the thin lace of her bra. He couldn’t resist taking it into his mouth, fabric and all. Alli gasped at the heat of him. A jolt of electricity sang through her nerve endings, emanating from her breast and echoing between her legs.
    His lips found their way back to hers as he gripped her hips and pressed his hardness against her.
    Suddenly, Jason broke the kiss and rested his forehead in the crook of her neck and shoulder, gasping for breath. What the hell was he doing? This was moving way too fast.
    Alli squirmed against him, instinctively trying to ease the powerful yearning she felt. Her hands landed on his hips with the intention of pulling him closer, when her eyes popped open at the feeling of bare flesh.
    Jason smiled at her surprise.
    “You’re naked!”
    He chuckled, the frenzied desire calming between them. “And you’re going to have to walk home in soggy clothes.”
    Alli suddenly felt very naked herself. Her heart rate was regulating, and her common sense was slowly returning.
    “So I guess you’re not a boxer