“If this is crazy then lock me up and throw away the key.”

“I might have to next time—your mother’s going to kill me.” He puts his hands on the band of his shorts and then gives me a pointed look. “Turn around.”

Thirty seconds later I hear a splash and then a few expletives.

“Bracing, isn’t it?” I say mildly.

“Bracing? It’s bloody arctic.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. You’ll soon get used to it.”

“Before my—manly parts—freeze off or after?”

I laugh at the forlorn expression on his face. “Come on.” Then I turn and paddle languidly upriver, trusting that he’s following.

“Aren’t you worried about eels?” he calls.

“Not really. They’re like sharks. More scared of us than we are of them. Or is that spiders?”

“I swear something just touched my toe.”

“It’s OK. Toes aren’t important in your career.”

He snorts. “I’m quite attached to them all the same.”

I turn over on to my back and sweep my arms and legs in wide circles, enjoying the sensation of the water as my body moves easily through it. “Come on. Aren’t you enjoying this?” I ask. “Not even one little bit?”

He does a few brisk strokes and comes up beside me. This close I can see water droplets on his beautiful tanned skin. His eyes, in the fading light, are luminous and vibrant. He is, hands down, the best-looking man I have ever had the pleasure of being half naked in the company of.

“Maybe a little bit,” he admits.

“When was the last time you went swimming?”

He has to think about it, which tells me that it’s been too long.

“I can’t remember,” he says finally. “A couple of years, maybe? Yes, three years. It was in the sea off Mexico.”

“Work?”

“No. Holiday.”

He doesn’t elaborate so I take a guess that it was with his now ex-girlfriend.

“What was it like?”

“The same as any sea, really. Wet. Full of fish. Waves.”

“Mexico, you idiot.”

“Hey, that’s Master Idiot to you.” He frowns teasingly. “Mexico was nice. Very hot most of the time, and colorful. Friendly people. Delicious food. Cold beer.”

“Like in the movies, then.”

“Yes. And no. You don’t see the poverty in the movies. Just like anywhere in the world, there’s a lot of people struggling just to afford the basic necessities of life.”

We have reached the bend in the river and I was right—it deepens to where I can’t touch the bottom. A large willow tree grows on the bank, its long branches trailing in the water. Against the brilliant orange glow in the sky it makes for a stunning sight. The air is perfumed with the smell of honeysuckle that grows wild on the hill on the other side of the river. The only sounds are the rustle of the willow leaves, and our breathing.

“OK,” James says softly. “I admit it. This is nice.”

“So you’re glad you joined me.”

“Yes. I’m glad I joined you.”