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Come on, Kat! You used to do this for ages back in the day. You cannot let him beat you, no matter how downright tempting he is!
I jerk in surprise when something brushes my leg, and Wyatt comes into view, his stormy eyes searching mine. My heart drums faster against my ribs as he moves closer, the waves lapping against us both. Warmth radiates with each inch he draws nearer, liquid fire coursing through my veins until I can feel him everywhere. His hand moves ever up my thigh, sending electric shocks of pleasure racing through me.
Desperation grabs onto me as I fight to remain anchored, desperately clinging to the rock in my lap. An electric shiver races up my spine as Wyatt's skillful fingers continue their tormenting journey, caressing and stroking until I become a trembling mess.
Ripping my rock away from me he pulls me against him and coaxes me to wrap my limbs around his powerful frame. Without thought I obey, practically begging for him to take control.
My fingers dig into his scalp, my knuckles turning white, as I take in the intensity of his stare. His palms grip my legs with possessive strength, sending a surge of electricity through me that has my entire body on fire. My heart races and I arch further into his hold, his smirk of satisfaction sending a wave of want crashing through me.
My lungs are starting to ache for air, spots dancing at the edges of my vision, but I refuse to give in to my body’s demands. Distantly, I know he’s trying to win as much as I am, but the hunger in his gaze is a mirror to my own. Neither of us want to surface from our brief escape from the world.
The moment of anticipation seems to last an eternity, until finally Wyatt's lips graze mine beneath the waves, intensifying the fire burning within me. My lungs ache for air, but I strain closer, desperate to prolong this stolen moment. His hand trails up my thigh as he deepens the kiss, skilled and commanding. I cling to him mindlessly, my body crying out.
Just when I think I'll pass out, the instinctual need to take a breath overwhelms me. I break away from Wyatt with a frenzied exhale that sends bubbles of air shooting to the surface, my limbs heavy as I kick and follow. Breaking the surface, the sun's glare blinds me as I gulp oxygen greedily. My family's distant cheers reach my ringing ears.
Wyatt emerges beside me, droplets clinging to his unfairly gorgeous face. His stormy eyes blaze with satisfaction. "Well played, babe," he murmurs silkily.
I manage a rueful smile, still catching my breath. "I put up a good fight at least."
Wyatt steps closer, backing me up towards shore. "Indeed you did. But now I believe you owe me a...favor." His deep voice caresses the word, his meaning clear. Desire coils hotly within me.
We emerge from the waves to a crowd of hollering family members congratulating Wyatt on his victory, even as Wilder and Emrys stand back, their arms crossed and faces blank.
When my family finally disperses, returning to the crazy obstacle course, Wyatt turns to me once more, ignoring the two men still hovering nearby. “Dinner.”
“What?” Not what I was expecting him to say.
“Dinner tonight. Just me and you. I know it’s not a dangerous hike in the jungle, or exciting ziplining and cliff diving. But it will be fun. That’s what I want for winning.” His eyes implore me to consider his offer. There’s even a flicker of vulnerability in his gaze.
“Are you asking me out on a date? Like a real one?”
He nods and my heart starts to skip. A real dinner date, just the two of us? After everything that's happened–everything still simmering between all of us–the notion fills me with equal parts longing and unease.
I can see the fragile hope in Wyatt's stormy eyes, can sense this means more to him than just fulfilling a competition's prize. But with my feelings in such a tangled knot, can I offer him the same?
"Okay," I hear myself say softly, despite my doubts. "Dinner. Just us."
The smile that lights up Wyatt's face makes my breath catch. He looks so different like this–unguarded, happy. The stern control that usually defines him nowhere to be seen.
"Wonderful. Be ready at seven," he says warmly. Then he turns and strides off down the beach, confidence in every step.
I'm drawn from staring after him as Wilder sidles up next to me, a muscle feathering in his jaw. His cocky grin is dimmed, his cobalt eyes stormy as they follow Wyatt's retreat.
"Well, I sure hope you two kids have yourselves a nice, boring dinner date," he drawls with forced lightness.
I know it's a careless barb meant to sting, to reassert his carefree reputation after his clear defeat today. But I also glimpse the envy and frustration simmering beneath his flippant tone. Whatever this thing is between them all…it just got kicked up a notch.
Sensing the confrontation brewing, Emrys moves closer, tattoos rippling as he crosses his arms over his broad chest. His golden eyes bore into me, possessive and simmering with desire not fully conquered.
A tense beat passes where we all stand frozen in place, the tangled dynamic as complicated as ever. Before it can escalate further, Annabelle comes bounding over, shattering the tension.
"Don't be mad about the mouse bridge!" She pleads dramatically before sweeping me up into wedding talk.
I let myself get distracted by her enthusiasm, doubts still nagging within me. I know things are shifting, boundaries blurring further. And I still don't know if I'm ready for where it may lead.
But as anticipation and nerves flutter within me at the thought of my dinner date tonight, one thing is certain—my tangled feelings for these tempting men are only continuing to grow, whether I'm ready for it or not.
Chapter 27
