We both tumbled into the pool with a massive splash.
As I sank beneath the surface, I heard him shout my name. The panic in his voice was evident even as ears were covered by water. Before I could panic, he was already there, his massive arms pulling me upwards.
“You okay?” he asked, his hands framing my face. He pushed my sodden hair back, his fingers trembling just enough to make a fresh ache bloom deep in my stomach.
The concern in his voice had me shivering more than the sudden dunk in the water. Most men looked at me and saw the curvy girl. The funny friend. The hardware store cashier who could tell the difference between screws blindfolded.
Max looked at me like I was something precious — something he’d burn the whole damn mountain down to protect.
“I’m okay,” I said softly.
His gaze dropped to my mouth. The waterfall thundered around us, shutting out the rest of the world until it felt like we were standing alone inside some secret little pocket of the mountain.
Then Max’s eyes narrowed slightly, his focus shifting.
“You’re bleeding.”
“What?”
His finger brushed over my jaw and a tiny sting bloomed there.
“You must have scraped against a rock.”
“See, I told you it was dangerous.” Of course, the only thing dangerous at the moment was how much I wanted him to kiss me again.
Heat curled low in my belly as he stepped closer, his soaked frame hard against mine. He was a wall of muscle — huge, solid, and radiating enough heat to dry us both off.
“I don’t guess we’re winning that spa package now, are we?”
His heavy stare slid slowly over my wet clothing clinging to every curve. I knew he saw how hard my nipples were, pushing through the fabric of my blouse and my bra.
The look in his eyes wasn’t fake boyfriend mode anymore. It made me want take another cooling dip beneath the water.
“Doesn’t look like it.”
Another long look and then he was stepping away, climbing out of the pool and offering me his hand. I took it, realizing I’dbe willing to fall into an ocean if it meant him taking me back in his arms.
CHAPTER FOUR
Max
The walk back to the lodge was a slow torture of wet denim and sharp, jagged need. Every time Frankie stumbled, I was there, my hand locking onto her arm or the small of her back. She was soaked through, her emerald blouse clinging to the heavy, perfect swell of her breasts. I could see the lace of her bra and the dark, stubborn peak of her nipples through the wet fabric.
I wanted to toss her over my shoulder and run back to the lodge. Better yet, put her in my truck and drive to my house up on the ridge, far away from the polished vultures waiting for us.
We managed to slip into the side entrance and almost made it to the elevators before Tiffany spotted us. The sound of her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Frankie stiffened beside me.
“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”
We turned around slowly and I cursed as I saw others move forward, gathering around us.
“Look who survived.” Leo joined Tiffany, a glass of dark liquid in his hand. “Though, barely, judging by the way Frankie looks.”
I wanted to put my fist through his face as his gaze raked her up and down. I quickly stepped in front of her, my big body shielding her.
Of course, she didn’t stay behind me. Her small brown head popped out. “I like to commit fully to traumatic experiences, Leo.”
A couple of people laughed. Leo’s smile tightened.
