The less submerged they became the more Zach decided he disliked the clinging tightness of bathing costumes, particularly in the pants. He thanked the stars it was fairly dark and they had a good walk back to where they were staying.

Ears burning, Zach chuckled and pulled away only long enough to fetch the shoes they'd rest on the sand. It had been fun. So much so that he felt as if he still needed to catch his breath. Although his charm work was good, he was so flustered that the possibility of drying charm had yet to enter his mind. It's what he would have done if their swim had remained innocent.

"Sometimes, though they're usually on a boat," he laughed. Romances weren't his specialty, though he had perused some of the more interesting ones. "Or dry land." He tenderly ran the back of his knuckles on the nape of her neck. "After they've escaped the clutches of pirates," he added to the narrative, though his voice was far away.

After a moment, his eyebrows knit together, a cool breeze tossing at the back of his hair. "I do hope you aren't chilled, Jo."