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“Doubtful this time of year. The summer rush is over, and most people are at work at this time of day on a Tuesday.”
“Most, but not all. Some of my dad’s best friends are retired.” I shudder at the thought of being caught in the buff by one of my dad’s fishing buddies. “And my mom would die of humiliation if anyone she knows saw me skinny-dipping. She almost had a nervous breakdown when my dad got arrested for streaking down Main Street during a reunion prank, and people expect my dad to be ridiculous. I’m supposed to be the good girl. She would skin me alive.”
“I doubt it. You’re way too pretty with your skin on, and your mom knows that.” Nick eases closer, moving in that almost feline way he has sometimes, the way that makes me think he’s probably an incredible dancer. The way that makes my heart beat faster even before he takes me in his arms and skims his fingers down the hollow of my spine.
“But if you’re not up for it, it’s not a big deal,” he adds, touching his forehead lightly to mine. “We can always sneak back down here at night sometime. You’re right, it is less intimidating at night, and it’s beautiful here in the spring when the trees are blooming.”
“I can probably work my courage up by then,” I say, but what I’m really thinking is—
Spring! That’s half a year away. Nick is already thinking that we’ll be together half a year from now. That is totally and completely crazy!
But for some reason, it doesn’t seem crazy. It seems crazier to think of walking away from this man, today or any day in the future. All I want to do is get closer—physically, mentally, emotionally.
Though, at the moment, physically might be leading the pack…
I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him closer, sighing as my curves press tight to his lean, muscled body. I can feel him starting to get hard against my hip, but it doesn’t make me nervous the way that kind of thing has sometimes in the past. I love knowing that I affect him this way, love it so much that I can’t keep from circling my hips to nudge closer to his erection.
Nick moans, and his eyes flutter closed for a moment before they open again. He sighs, staring at me with an expression that makes me shiver.
“Do you know how crazy you make me?” he murmurs.
“I think I have some idea.” I circle my hips again, sucking in a swift breath when Nick’s hands drop to my waist, and his fingers dig into the swells of my hips.
“What am I going to do with you?” he asks in a husky voice.
“I can think of a few things,” I whisper in a seductive tone I barely recognize. But Nick brings out that part of me, a sensual, confident part that makes me feel beautiful and powerful and…horny.
So desperately horny.
I’ve always hated that word, but now it’s the only one that really seems to fit the way I feel every time Nick touches me.
“I’m thinking you’d better take off that cover-up,” Nick says.
“Oh, yeah?” My heart beats a staccato rhythm.
“Yeah, because in about one minute, I’m going to toss you in that lake. Only way to cool you off.”
“I’m not the one who needs to be cooled off.” I kick off my flip-flops and reach for the bottom of my cover-up, drawing it over my head in one smooth motion, satisfaction sweeping through me when Nick eyes flare with approval. “Last one in buys drinks tomorrow night!”
I dash toward the water, giggling as Nick hurries after me, shedding his shirt and hopping on one foot as he tries to unhook the strap at the back of his sandal.
“Cheater!” he calls out as I hit the water seconds before him. “You’re such a lousy little cheater.”
I giggle as I wade deeper into the pleasantly cool water. “I know. I totally had a head start. I’ll buy drinks.”
“No, I’ll buy drinks.” He wades after me, his gaze flicking up and down my body appreciatively, making me feel free to do my own thorough inspection of his deliciously bare chest.
He’s even more beautiful than I’ve imagined, lean all over but with defined muscles that speak of sweat and hard work. He’s so gorgeous it makes me ache; a thick, honeyed ache that starts between my hips and spreads lower.
“This swimsuit should be illegal,” he says, the heat in his gaze making my nipples pull tight.
“It’s a one-piece,” I say, breath coming faster just from making eye contact with this man.
“It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” he says with a sincerity that leaves me speechless. “So where are we going tomorrow night?” He steps closer, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Do I need to make reservations?”
