Archive of Our Own

Bas's car sped along the main road of Rutshire, cutting through the rolling green hills under the bright afternoon sun. The windows were rolled all the way down on both sides. The warm, rushing wind filled the car, bringing the scent of fresh grass and summer air.

As always, Bas looked effortlessly cool, wearing his famous black sunglasses while keeping one hand casual on the steering wheel. He was dressed in one of his infamous, sharp suits. Today, he had chosen a striking gray fabric with crisp white pinstripes. He looked every bit the slick television executive, completely out of place against the rural countryside, which only made him look more alluring.

Next to him, Taggie was absolutely beaming. She couldn't imagine that when he said tomorrow's another day last night, he meant literally the next day. She had dressed more casually, wearing a tight white vest over a blue tank top with a pair of classic blue jeans. Like the previous night, she let her hair down. Taggie, utterly intoxicated by having his undivided attention all to herself, couldn't help but smile the whole time.

The car radio was blasting "Out of Touch" by Hall & Oates, and they were both humming along. Every few seconds, the space between them felt electric. Taggie would look over at his sharp profile, and Bas would steal a glance right back from behind his dark lenses, his roguish grin never fading. Everything in this moment seemed perfect.

As the song hit its peak, the catchy rhythm took over the car. Taggie leaned toward the console, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"You're out of touch," she sang out, giggling as she pointed a finger at him.

Bas didn't miss a beat. He used his left hand to steer smoothly along the winding road, while his right hand rested casually on his leg. His fingers tapped against his gray pinstripe trousers, playfully keeping time with the heavy synth beats and tones of the music.

He looked over from behind his dark sunglasses, joining right in. "I'm out of time!" he sang back, his deep voice blending with hers over the roaring wind.

"But I'm out of my head when you're not around..." she sang joyously, her voice sweet and full of meaning.

They laughed together, the carefree music melting away the last bit of Taggie's shyness. Her unbridled joy completely charmed him. Moved by how adorable she was, Bas brought his right hand up from his leg. He reached across and lightly caressed her blushing cheek. His long dark fingers warm against her porcelain freckled face. Taggie's heart did a spectacular flip at the touch.

To hide the sudden rush of heat in her face, Taggie quickly turned her head and looked out the passenger window, which made Bas chuckle at her shyness. Through the flying strands of her hair, she caught a glimpse of something sparkling through a gap in the thick green hedges. Down in a grassy hollow, hidden from the main road, lay a secluded, glassy lake. The water looked dark, deep, and beautifully wild.

"Bas!" Taggie cried, sitting up straight and pressing her hands against the dashboard. "Right there, look!"

He didn't panic. Instead, he smoothly used his long, dark fingers to lower his sunglasses down his nose, focusing intently on her exact point of view. He peered through the gap in the hedges, then sheepishly looked over at her as he eased his foot off the gas, letting the car drop its speed.

"Want me to stop?" he asked, his voice smooth and laced with a curious smile. Taggie didn't hesitate. She turned to face him, her blue wide eyes bright with an uncharacteristic flash of daring. "One shouldn't say no to adventure?" She said with a challenging smile, throwing his own philosophy right back at him.

Bas stared at her for a second, completely captivated. A slow, deeply appreciative grin spread across his handsome, dark face. He pushed his sunglasses all the way up onto his head, letting his brown eyes lock onto hers with pure delight. She was completely full of surprises today.

"Right you are, Bottom," he murmured, his voice rich and full of amusement.

He steered the car smoothly onto the grassy verge beside the hedge, pulling the handbrake up with a satisfying click. He switched off the engine, and Hall & Oates suddenly vanished, leaving only the quiet rustle of the leaves and the distant chirping of summer birds.

Bas unbuckled his seatbelt and turned in his seat. With smooth, practiced movements, he slid his arms out of his sharp gray pinstripe blazer. He carefully draped the expensive jacket over the back of his seat, leaving it behind in the car. He wasn't wearing a tie, and the first two buttons of his crisp white dress shirt were already casually undone, revealing the warm skin of his chest and a fine gold chain gleaming against his neck.

Bas then unrolled the cuffs of his shirt, folding the sleeves up to his forearms, putting his strong, toned lower arms and hands on full display, along with a fancy, gleaming wristwatch that caught the bright sunlight. Now, stripped of his stiff corporate shell, he looked less like a slick executive and a lot more dangerous. He let out a low laugh "adventure it is," he said, opening his car door. "Lead the way."

Taggie’s throat went entirely dry. Watching him roll up his sleeves was like watching a scene from a movie in slow motion. Her eyes locked onto his strong, tanned forearms, a sudden, heavy wave of heat rushed right through her, pooling deep in her stomach. She was so lost in the sight of him—so completely overwhelmed by his physical presence that she forgot to react, let alone stare.

He caught her staring. A knowing, dangerous little smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he stepped out of the car. The click of his door shutting finally broke her trance. "Coming, Taggie?" his voice called out over the roof of the car.

Taggie swallowed hard, forcing her hands to unbuckle her seatbelt. "Yes, coming," she pushed her door open and stepped out into the crisp summer air.

The area in which they parked at was completely, bordered by high green hedges that blocked out the rest of Rutshire. Bas walked around to her side, his brown eyes flicked down her figure, lingering for a heavy, appreciative second on the way her tight jeans hugged her hips.

Completely oblivious, Taggie looked around at the pristine trees and the shimmering water ahead, a peaceful sigh escaping her lips.

"It’s just so beautiful, isn't it?", looking back to his sharp profile. "Rutshire and all its nature. You’re so lucky you got to grow up in a place similar to this." Listening to her, Bas softened slightly, looking out over the quiet landscape with a nostalgic glimmer in his dark eyes.

Before he could answer, Taggie looked sideways at him, tilting her head. "Say, Bas... have you ever skinny dipped?"

Caught off guard and clearly shocked, judging by how his eyebrows shot up—Bas stared at her for several seconds before answering. "Many times more than I'd like to admit, actually," he confessed smoothly, his tone laced with a hint of midnight mischief.

"When was the last time?" Taggie asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and a sudden, thrilling burst of boldness.

He paused in his tracks, looking out over the glassy water, and lifted a long, dark hand to run his fingers through his hair. "Oh, it's been a few years now," he admitted with a sexy grin, turning his dark eyes back to her.

"I used to do it quite a bit back in my early to mid-twenties." He took a step closer, his gaze dropping to her wide, innocent eyes. The playful, flirty spark returned to his face in full force.

"Why do you ask, Bottom?" He leaned in just a fraction. "Are you thinking it's time I break my dry spell?"

"Well," she said softly, her cheeks turning a beautiful shade of pink as she looked right at him. "I've never actually done it before. And... I'm curious."

Before Bas could even open his mouth to tease her, Taggie found a sudden, wild burst of courage. She reached down, unbuttoned her blue jeans, and smoothly slid the denim down her legs, leaving them in a heap on the grass.

Then, keeping her eyes locked onto his, her hands moved up to her tight white vest. She unbuttoned it slowly and slid it off, along with her tank top and bra, letting it all drop to the ground.

She turned her back to him, facing the sparkling water. Taggie slowly looked back over her shoulder, holding his gaze to make sure he was watching.

With agonizing slowness, she slid her cotton pink panties down her hips and stepped out of them. She bared her gorgeous backside to his stunned gaze, took her underwear, and tossed them perfectly onto the pile of her clothes.

A triumphant little smile played on her lips as she heard his breath hitch behind her. Then she turned back around to face him, standing completely bare in the afternoon sun, and waited.

"Your turn," she said daring him to continue.

Bas stood frozen for a moment, utterly undone, his dark features flushed with a sudden, intense heat. Then a low, breathless laugh escaped him, from the sheer shock of her boldness.

"Right then," he muttered, a wicked grin replacing his stunned look.

Taggie stayed exactly where she was, her eyes wide and fixed on him as he reached down and kicked off his polished dress shoes. His long, dark fingers moved to the rest of the buttons on his white dress shirt, undoing them with deliberate slowness now that he had her full attention. He slid the shirt off his broad shoulders, tossing it onto the grass and putting his smooth, tanned chest and gleaming gold chain on full display.

Taggie's breath came a little faster. She couldn't look away.

Bas unbuckled his belt with a soft clink of metal, his eyes never leaving hers. He slid his gray pinstripe trousers down his long, muscular legs, stepping out gracefully. Then, without hesitation, he hooked his thumbs into his briefs and pushed them down, baring his dark, toned body completely to the warm afternoon sun.

Taggie's eyes dropped. She couldn't help it, and her breath caught audibly in her throat. He was...sex himself. She felt heat flood through her entire body, a dizzying wave of arousal that made her weak. Her gaze lingered on his member, and suddenly she felt overwhelmed by the reality of him standing there completely naked and utterly confident.

"See something you like, Bottom?" Bas asked, his voice low and teasing.

The question snapped her out of her daze, but as she tried to take a step backward, flustered and aroused and completely out of her depth. She stumbled, arms flailing for balance as she started to fall backward. "oh—" she gasped.

Before she could hit the ground, his strong hands caught her firmly around the waist. To her rescue, he closed the distance between them in two quick strides.

"Careful," he said, as he steadied her against him. "Wouldn't want you hurting yourself before we've even made it to the water."

Taggie's hands had grabbed onto his shoulders for balance, and now she was aware they were both completely naked, pressed together in the warm afternoon sun. Her heart raced, from the feel of his hands on her bare waist, from the heat in his dark eyes as he looked down at her.

"I wasn't-I didn't!" she stammered, her cheeks burning. "You were staring," Bas said, his grin absolutely wicked now. His thumbs traced slow circles on her waist. "Got a bit distracted, did you?"

"Bas!" Taggie yelled, smiling through her embarrassment.

"And you're adorable when you're flustered." He pulled her a little closer, steadying her more firmly. "Though I have to say, I quite liked the way you were looking at me just now."

"Bas-"

"All wide-eyed and breathless." His voice dropped lower, more intimate. "Made me feel like I should give you a proper show." Taggie splashed him weakly with one hand, still holding onto his shoulder with the other. "You're terrible."

"You started this," he reminded her, his eyes dancing with amusement and something darker, hungrier. "Stripping down right in front of me like that. What did you expect?"

"I don't know," she admitted breathlessly. "I wasn't thinking."

"Good." Bas's hands slid from her waist to her hips, his touch sending shivers through her. He gave her that confident, roguish wink. "Now... shall we actually make it to the water this time?"

Before Taggie could answer, Bas effortlessly swept her up into his arms, one arm beneath her knees, the other supporting her back. The sudden movement made her gasp, her hands flying to grip his shoulders for balance. And then he was moving, carrying her naked body against his bare chest like she weighed nothing at all, striding toward the water's edge with that infuriatingly confident smile.

She'd been worried her blushing face had given her away to Bas. Still in his arms while inside the lake, Bas brings her up to the surface for some air. Her body was now gleamingly wet and shining through the remnants of lake water. Taggie, holding onto Bas by his neck and shoulders, was nervous by how close his hands were to her private parts. She tried to move to get him to drop her from his grip, but Bas would only allow her to dive the rest of her naked body into the water while facing him.

"Bas, wait!" she managed, but he was already jumping.

They hit the water together in a spectacular splash. The cold shock of it stole Taggie's breath completely, washing away the heat that had been pooling low in her belly and burning across her cheeks. For one blessed moment, the lake water was a relief and maybe he wouldn't notice how flustered she'd been, how her face had given away every single thought racing through her mind when she'd looked at him.

But then Bas was pulling them both upward, breaking through the surface. Water streamed down Taggie's face and shoulders, droplets catching the afternoon sun and making her skin gleam. She gasped for air, blinking water from her aquamarine eye and suddenly realized that she was still in his arms.

Bas stood in the shallow water near the wooden platform, the lake lapping at his golden brown chest. His dark hair was slicked back from his face, water running in rivulets down his neck and shoulders. And Taggie was cradled against him, one strong arm beneath her knees, the other wrapped securely around her back.

She was painfully aware of every place their bare skin touched. Her breasts pressed against his tanned chest. Her thighs draped over his forearm. His hand rested just below her hip, fingers splayed across the curve of her backside, dangerously close to her-

Taggie's breath caught in her throat. "There we are," Bas murmured, his voice low and pleased. He was looking down at her with that knowing smile, like he could read every frantic thought racing through her mind. "Much better, don't you think?"

She couldn't speak. Couldn't form words. Her hands were still gripping his shoulders. She didn't remember putting them there, but now she couldn't let go. Her heart was pounding so hard she was sure he could feel it against his chest. "Bas," she finally managed, her voice coming out breathless and shaky. "You can, you can put me down now."

"Can I?" He tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes dancing with amusement. His thumb moved in a slow, deliberate circle against her skin. Right where her hip met her thigh. The touch was light, almost casual, but it sent a bolt of heat straight down to her core.

Taggie squirmed slightly, trying to get him to release her. But Bas's grip only tightened, holding her more securely against him. "Easy, sweetheart" he said, his voice dropping into something darker, more intimate. "You'll slip."

"I won't slip if you just-" She tried to push against his chest, tried to wriggle free, but he was so much stronger. And the way he held her, the way his hands knew exactly where to grip, how much pressure to apply. Like he'd done this a hundred times before with women who knew what they were doing.

Taggie felt completely in over her head. "Alright," Bas said finally, that wicked smile still playing on his lips. "If you insist." He slowly lowered her body into the water, his hands slid along her skin, guiding her down inch by inch. Her feet found the silty bottom, and she stood on shaky legs, the cool water lapping at her collarbones.

Only Bas didn't let go.

His hands moved to her waist, holding her steady in front of him. They were face to face now, standing in the murky water with barely any space between them. Taggie could feel the heat radiating from his body despite the cold lake. She could see the water droplets clinging to his dark long eyelashes, the way his gaze had grown heavy-lidded and intent.

She was trembling, and she didn't know if it was from the cold water, or the open air, or from the way he was looking at her, like he wanted to devour her whole.

"Better?" Bas asked softly, his thumbs tracing those maddening circles on her waist again.

Taggie swallowed hard. Her hands were still on his shoulders, and she realized with a flush of embarrassment that she was gripping him like a lifeline.

"I-" Her voice cracked. "Yes. Better."

But it wasn't better. It was worse. Because now she was standing in front of him, completely naked, with his hands on her waist and his body so close she could feel every breath he took. And she had no idea what to do, no idea how to handle the way her body was responding to him. The heat pooling low in her belly, the way her nipples had tightened into hard peaks beneath the water, the ache building between her thighs.

Bas knew, though. She could see it in his eyes, in that confident, knowing smile. He knew exactly what he was doing to her. And he was enjoying every second of it.

"You're shaking," he observed quietly, his voice like velvet. "It's cold," Taggie lied, her cheeks burning despite the cool water.

"Is it?" Bas's smile widened just a fraction. His hands slid from her waist to her hips, his grip firm and possessive. "Funny. I'm not cold at all. Actually, I'm feeling very hot right now. So hot that I want to do something very naughty and physical to someone very close to me."

Taggie had thought herself in control not long ago, but now Bas and his sex-infused comments had completely overwhelmed her. She wasn't a virgin, but she was inexperienced, and here she was skinny dipping with a man who had tons of it. He was a rake through and through, but god, he was gorgeous and devilishly sexy. Without any clothes between them, the idea of having sex with him wasn't hard to imagine at all. They were alone in the lake, both feeling each other out, and Taggie desperately wanted to shag him. She'd thought about it all night long.

"Bas..." she whispered, but she didn't know what she was asking for. Her hands were still gripping his shoulders. "Tell me something, Taggie," his voice dropping even lower. One of his hands left her hip to trail slowly up her side. "Did you imagine we would get this far when we got into the car?"

The question hung between them, and Taggie's mouth opened and closed uselessly, "I..."

"Because I did." His hand continued its torturous path upward, tracing the curve of her waist, the dip beneath her ribcage. "I thought about you in that little tight vest. About what you'd look like without it." His thumb brushed the underside of her breast, and Taggie's entire body jolted. "About whether you'd be brave enough to let me see."

"I didn't!" she tried, but her voice came out breathy and unconvincing.

"Liar," Bas said softly, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement and desire. His thumb moved again, this time deliberately grazing her nipple beneath the water. The sensation shot straight through her core, making her gasp. "You're a terrible liar, Taggie O'Hara. Your body gives you away every time."

Before she could respond, before she could think, Bas closed the remaining distance between them and kissed her.

It wasn't gentle. His mouth claimed hers with absolute confidence, his lips firm and demanding against hers. One hand cupped the back of her head, his fingers threading through her wet hair, while the other remained at her breast, his palm now covering her completely, possessively.

Taggie made a sound, half gasp, half moan, and Bas took immediate advantage, deepening the kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth, tasting her, exploring her, and Taggie felt both of her legs go weak. If he hadn't been holding her, she would have sunk beneath the water entirely.

She began to kiss him back, clumsily, her inexperience showing in the way she couldn't quite match his rhythm, couldn't anticipate his movements. But Bas didn't seem to mind. If anything, it seemed to spur him on. He made a low, approving sound in his throat and pulled her even closer, until her breasts were pressed fully against his chest, until she could feel every hard plane of his body against hers.

"God, you taste good," he murmured against her lips, his voice rough with desire. "Better than I imagined."

"You imagined?" Taggie's question dissolved into another gasp as his hand slid down her back, over the curve of her bottom, gripping her firmly and pulling her hips flush against his.

She felt him then, hard and insistent against her stomach. He wanted her. Bas wanted her. This gorgeous, experienced, confident man was aroused by her.

"Watching you clean in those jeans in the kitchen this morning," Bas admitted, his lips moving to her jaw, her neck, trailing hot kisses down to her collarbone. "Watching you sing your heart out. Watching you blush. Knowing you were thinking about me."

His hand on her bottom squeezed, and then he was lifting her slightly, guiding her legs around his waist. The new position made Taggie whimper. Suddenly, she was wrapped around him, her most intimate parts pressed against the hard length of him with only water between them.

"Bas," she breathed, her head falling back as his mouth found the sensitive spot just below her ear. "Oh, god!"

"That's it," he murmured against her skin, his voice dark and pleased. "Let me hear you, Taggie. Don't hold back."

His hands were everywhere now, sliding up her thighs, gripping her waist, cupping her breasts. Each touch was deliberate, practiced, designed to drive her absolutely mad. And it was working. Taggie was trembling in his arms, her breath coming in short, desperate gasps, her body responding to him in ways she'd never experienced before.

"Have you ever..." Bas pulled back just enough to look at her, his dark eyes searching her flushed face. "Has anyone ever touched you like this?"

Taggie shook her head, unable to form words. Her previous experience had been fumbling, and mostly awkward. Nothing like this. Nothing that made her feel like she was burning alive from the inside out.

"Good," Bas said, and there was something possessive in his tone that made her aching vagina clench. "I want to be the first to make you feel this way." His hand slid between them, down her stomach, and Taggie's eyes went wide. "Bas, wait-"

"Shh," he soothed, his lips brushing against hers. "I've got you. Just feel."

His fingers found her opening beneath the water, and Taggie cried out at the first touch. He teased her aching cunt with two fingers, swirling them around her entrance. She was so sensitive, so overwhelmed, that even the lightest pressure made her shake. Bas watched her face intently, his expression focused and hungry as he learned what made her gasp, what made her hips rock involuntarily against his hand.

"You're so responsive," he whispered into her ear, his voice thick with desire. "So bloody perfect. Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?"

Taggie couldn't answer. She was lost in sensation. His fingers moved in slow, deliberate circles while his other hand gripped her bare ass to hold her steady, his mouth hot against her neck. The water lapped around them in waves, cool against her overheated skin, and she felt like she might actually die from the intensity of it all.

"Please," she finally managed, though she wasn't sure what she was begging for.

"Please what?" Bas's voice was teasing now, wicked. His fingers slowed their movement, and Taggie made a sound of protest. "Tell me what you want, Taggie. Use your words." He said into her ear, the warm breath of his mouth tickling her.

"I don't. I can't-" She was incoherent, her face burning with embarrassment and arousal.

"You can," Bas insisted, his lips brushing against her ear. "You're so brave, Taggie. You stripped naked for me. You let me touch you. Now tell me what you need."

"You," Taggie gasped out, her nails digging into his shoulders. "I need you. Please, Bas!"

He groaned at that, a deep, guttural sound that vibrated through his chest. "Christ, Taggie. You're going to kill me."

He slid two fingers inside at once, moving them in and out while his other fingers picked up their rhythm again, circling and stroking with more purpose now. Taggie felt something building inside her, something vast and terrifying and absolutely inevitable. Her thighs tightened around his waist, her body tensing, every muscle coiling tighter and tighter.

"That's it," Bas murmured, his voice like velvet against her ear. "Don't fight it, darling. Let it happen. I've got you."

"I can't. It's too much-" Taggie was shaking her head, overwhelmed by the intensity of what she was feeling. Her breath came in short, desperate gasps.

"You can," Bas insisted, his free hand cupping her face with infinite tenderness. "Look at me, Taggie. Stay with me."

She met his dark eyes, and the intimacy of it, being watched so intently as he fucked her with his bare hand while her body responded so desperately to him, was almost too much to bear. But she couldn't look away. His gaze held her captive, warm and encouraging, full of desire.

"You're so beautiful like this," he whispered, his thumb brushing her cheek while his other hand continued its exquisite torture against her cunt. "Completely undone. All for me."

The pleasure was building, cresting like a wave, and Taggie felt herself on the edge of something she'd never experienced before. Her whole body was trembling.

"Bas! I'm-I think-"

"I know," he said softly, his voice full of dark promise. "Let go, Taggie. I want to feel you come apart in my arms."

His fingers pressed deeper and harder, finding exactly the right spot. The orgasm crashed over her like a tidal wave, stealing her breath, making her cry out his name. Her body convulsed against him, waves of pleasure radiating outward from where his hand still vibrated deep within her, drawing out every last tremor.

Bas held her through it all, his arm wrapped securely around her waist, keeping her anchored as she shattered. He murmured soft encouragements against her temple—"That's it, darling," "So perfect," "I've got you" his voice a lifeline to reality during the overwhelming sensation.

When the tremors finally subsided, Taggie collapsed against his chest, boneless and breathless. She could feel his heart pounding against her cheek, could feel the hard length of him still pressed against her hip, evidence of his own unfulfilled desire.

"Oh my god," she whispered, her voice shaky. "I've never had that—that was—"

"I know," Bas said softly, pressing a kiss to her damp hair. His hand stroked soothingly up and down her spine. "You were magnificent."

Taggie pulled back just enough to look at him, suddenly aware that he was still aroused, still wanting. "But wait, you didn't—"

"This wasn't about me," Bas interrupted gently, "I wanted to give you this. To show you how good it can be when someone actually cares about your pleasure."

The tenderness in his voice made Taggie's chest ache and her vagina felt the heat pool in once more. She reached up to cup his face, her thumb brushing over his cheekbone. "Thank you," she whispered.

Bas smiled. A real smile, warm and genuine. "My absolute pleasure, Bottom." He shifted his grip, supporting her more securely. "Come on. Let's get you out of this water before you catch cold."

He carried her toward the shallow water near the wooden platform, his hands still possessive on her body, and Taggie rested her head against his shoulder, feeling utterly boneless. Her entire body felt like it was humming with a pleasant, satisfied warmth, every nerve ending still tingling from his touch.

When they reached the platform, Bas carefully set her down on the wooden edge, the sun-warmed boards rough against her bare skin. He stood in the water in front of her, his hands resting on her knees, looking up at her with an expression that made her breath catch all over again.

"You're beautiful," he said simply. "Absolutely stunning." His eyes roamed over her, lingering on her exposed pussy. Taggie's cheeks flushed. She became aware of how exposed she was, sitting naked on the platform, her legs dangling in the water on either side of him, her body still flushed and languid from what they'd just done.

"So are you," she managed, and then immediately felt foolish. Men weren't beautiful. But Bas was, his dark hair slicked back, water droplets catching the sun on his shoulders, his brown eyes warm and intense as they held hers. Bas smiled and leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her knee. Then another to her inner thigh. Taggie's breath hitched, her hands gripping the edge of the platform. "Bas..."

"Just appreciating you," he murmured against her skin, his voice still rough with desire. He pressed one more kiss to her thigh, higher this time, reverent. "Every perfect inch."

Then he pulled back with visible effort, as he hoisted himself up onto the platform beside her in one smooth movement, water streaming down his body. They sat there together in the afternoon sun, both naked, both breathing hard.

Taggie's eyes drifted down despite herself, and she couldn't help but notice he was still very much aroused. Her cheeks burned hotter, but she forced herself to meet his gaze.

"What about you?" she asked softly, her voice shy but sincere. "Can I...do you want me to help you?"

Bas's eyebrows shot up, and a wicked grin spread across his face. "Well, well," he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. "Look at you, Taggie. Offering to return the favor like a proper little adventurer."

"I just thought" Taggie stammered, her blush deepening. "It's only fair-"

"Fair?" Bas laughed, low and dirty. "Darling, if you think I did that to be fair, you've completely missed the point." He leaned back on his hands, utterly shameless in his nakedness, looking every inch the cocky rake he was. "I did that because I wanted to watch you fall apart. And Christ, you were gorgeous when you came all over my fingers."

Taggie's mouth fell open, scandalized. "Bas!"

"What?" He grinned at her, completely unrepentant. "You were. All those pretty little sounds you made, the way you trembled..." He let out a low whistle. "Absolutely worth the wait."

"You're terrible," Taggie managed, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips.

"I'm honest," Bas corrected, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "And I appreciate the offer, truly. Very generous of you." His gaze raked over her deliberately. "But as tempting as it is to let those innocent hands of yours explore what you've been staring at..."

"I wasn't staring!" Taggie protested weakly.

"You absolutely were," Bas said, his grin widening and his body sitting up. "And I don't blame you. But no, Taggie. Not here."

"Why not?" The question came out before she could stop it, and Taggie immediately wanted to take it back.

Bas's expression shifted into something darker, more predatory. "Because when I finally have you properly—and I will—I want you in a bed. Somewhere I can take my time teaching you all the things you don't know yet." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a sinful murmur. "And trust me, darling, there's quite a lot I could teach you."

Taggie's breath caught. "Oh."

"Oh, indeed." Bas reached out and tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear, his touch casual but his eyes intense. "Besides, I want you to enjoy today. Have fun. Feel good. Not worry about reciprocating like it's some sort of transaction." His grin turned playful again. "Though I do love that you offered. Very sweet. Very eager."

"I'm not!" Taggie started to protest, but Bas cut her off with a laugh.

"You are, and it's adorable." He stood up in one fluid movement, water streaming down his body, completely comfortable in his skin. "Come on, Tag. Before you make me forget why I'm being such a gentleman."

"You're not a gentleman," Taggie said, but she was smiling despite herself.

"No," Bas agreed, offering her his hand with a roguish wink. "But I'm very good at pretending when it suits me. And right now, it suits me to wait until I can have you properly. In a bed. Where I can make you scream my name without worrying about anyone hearing."

Taggie took his hand, her legs still shaky, her face burning at his words. "You're insufferable."

"And you love it," Bas said confidently, pulling her to her feet. His eyes traveled over her naked body one more time, appreciative and utterly shameless. "Next time, though? I'll take you up on that offer. And I'll make sure you know exactly what to do with those hands."

The words sent a shiver through her despite the warm sun. Next time. He wanted a next time.

They looked at each other, and suddenly they were both smiling, soft, intimate smiles full of shared secrets and promises yet to be kept.

"Christ," Bas said, running a hand through his wet hair. "You're going to be the death of me, Taggie O'Hara."

"Good," Taggie said, surprising herself with her boldness. "Fair's fair, after what you just did to me."

Bas's eyes darkened at that, and for a moment she thought he might kiss her again. But instead he stood, offering her his hand.

"Come on," he said, his voice still rough with barely suppressed desire. "Before I forget all my good intentions."

Taggie took his hand and let him pull her to her feet, her legs still shaky. They walked back to where they'd left their clothes, the grass soft beneath their bare feet, the sun warm on their naked skin. And with every step, Taggie was conscious of his eyes on her, of the promise hanging in the air between them, of the new intimacy they'd just shared.

This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

It was only just beginning.