Water Witch by Amelia Bishop

Three weeks in which I’d reclaimed my place in the coven, reconnected to my childhood friends, and regained my confidence as a witch. I had to admit he was right—he’d been a distraction to me. One that I now wanted back.
    “Salil,” I whispered his name to the surface of the water, foolishly thinking he’d hear. Maybe he would visit my dreams tonight, and hold me again.
    “Salil?” I called again. Maybe I would kiss him? And if he let his guard down, maybe he’d tell me how to release my family’s ritual tools from the bottom of the bay.
    “I can’t tell you that until it is time.”
    “Shit!” I splashed around, my heart pounding, searching for him. When I located his face bobbing above the waves he was wearing a delighted grin, his fingertips brushing the water in front of him in long fluid motions, keeping him afloat. “Damn it! Do you get off on giving people heart attacks?”
    “Your heart is in perfect working order, trust me.” His smile widened and a small laugh surrounded his words.
    “Well, thanks for the stress test. Next time you could make a little noise or something, though.”
    “I enjoy surprising you. You use such colorful language when you are startled.”
    “Glad you find me entertaining.” I was suddenly too hot, my face and chest flushed. “Are you a mind reader now? Eavesdropping on my thoughts?”
    “When you talk to yourself so clearly in your head, and if I am near you, I can sometimes hear.” He tilted his head to the side. “It is not the same as eavesdropping, really.”
    “Yeah, it kind of is.” It was also something my grandfather could do, though he’d hidden it from everyone but the family. It was a skill most useful when kept secret. So why did Salil just tell me he had it?
    He shrugged and swam closer, his eyes hot with desire. I held my ground. Partially because I didn’t want to seem afraid, and partially to remain hidden from view of the beach where my mother laid in the sun. When he was close enough to touch, I reached back and grasped the boulder for support.
    “You called me here.”
    “I did.” I swallowed hard and forced myself to hold his gaze, though I wanted to look down, to study his creamy shoulders, his broad smooth chest. How could he have no hair at all?
    “Did you…need me?” He moved closer, pressing me to the stone. His emphasis on the word ‘need’ made his meaning clear enough, the closeness of his lips was overkill. I stared at them anyway. When he curled them into a satisfied smile I looked away, trying to get myself under control.
    “I— You were right. About focusing on things.” I met his eyes again. “Thank you.”
    “So you are ready to resume our visits?” His fingers danced in the water near me, his legs kicked close enough to mine that I felt the water move, but we never touched.
    “Yes.” Please kiss me, Salil. Kiss me now .
    I knew he’d heard my plea. His tongue darted out, teasingly, to wet his already sea-damp lips. He moved even closer, his knees brushing mine. His arm skimmed by my ribs as he placed his palm on the slick boulder behind me for support. We were close enough to kiss then, and in the perfect position for it, but he kept the last few inches between us. He wanted me to make the first move, so I couldn’t deny responsibility later, so I wouldn’t push him away.
    His hip bumped mine and I gave up the fight, smashing my mouth to his. His free arm immediately found my back, holding me to him, and he returned my kiss with equal passion. Goddess, he tasted fantastic. Clean and sweet, with a hint of salt that I wasn’t sure came from the water or him. His tongue flicked over mine, swept my teeth, played with me. And his hand on my back was like a brand, hot and electric.
    I was hard as stone, and I tilted my hips against his, hoping to find him in the same condition. I pulled my mouth from his in shock at what I felt. “Are you naked?”
    He laughed and took my mouth again without answering. I