Given that he'd been panicking since the second he'd step foot in the water, Layla's advice, such as it was, seemed a little late to Jamie. Still, he forced himself to take a deep breath per her instruction, a course of action that was at complete odds with every instinct fighting its way for control over his body.

It's not the first time we've kissed, but it's not something we've done so often that it's become familiar, either. There's a novelty to it still that makes my already racing heart beat faster, and the anxiety slips away into the background, waiting to make its presence known the second we pull away.

Like I really needed any more incentive to want to stick around.

Sighing against her mouth, he tilted his head to better the angle, and his hands tentatively rested on her hips underneath the water, holding her but not bringing her any closer. Given what had happened the last time, he had every intention of letting her guide them through this, and set the pace. He didn't want to lose his anchor, after all.