“Just in my chaotic brain, you know?”
He brings his hand to my face, caressing my cheek with the back of his finger and creating an overwhelming wave of euphoria. “Your brain is perfect.”
He can’t say shit like that and then go and act like we’re strangers. Acquaintances, maybe even friends, but damn it, I need a little bit more.
His hand lingers in my space. I don’t dare move, and neither does he, just two stubborn as fuck, half-drunk adults playing a game of chicken if I’ve ever seen one. I should call him on his bluff. I should tiptoe between the line of tempting him and practically asking for it and see if his carefully crafted control will snap like a tight rope.
I jolt to my feet, breaking this moment, ready to lay out my plans. Let’s see what you’re made of, Dominic Diaz.
It’s almost June, and although the sun has set, the heat lingers,so going for a swim in this river at dusk is not new to anyone, especially me, but I want to see if this guy takes the bait. I want to see if the armor will drop and he’ll show me who he really is.
What he really wants.
And I hope to God it’s me he wants.
I discard half my clothes, leaving on the oversized tee that covers my ass plenty, but Dom turns his face anyway.
“What are you doing?” he asks, concern laced in his tone.
“Going for a swim. Wanna come?” He doesn’t reply or turn to face me, so he misses me discarding the rest of my clothes. He just keeps his head turned as I run to the river, sinking right in and welcoming the cold water on my skin. Out here, where I don’t have the trees as an umbrella, I see the sky is not as clear as I thought. It’s dark, too dark, as if it’s later in the night, even though the sun just set. Rain clouds in Tennessee, typical summer behavior.
Just like yesterday.
One second, there’s a cloudless sky, and the next, a torrential downpour will be upon us. Arnie would scream at me to get out of the water, lightning and such, but until it rains, I can enjoy my moment.
“The water’s perfect!” I shout, splashing dramatically around, enticing Dom to come join me. He finally,finally, dares to look my way, but he shifts his eyes to the clothes next to him before looking at me again.
“Why are your clothes here?” he shouts.
I shrug, knowing damn well he can’t see me, considering my whole body is underwater with just my head out.
“What if someone sees you?”
“Nobody comes this way. It’s why I like the cabin position so much.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose; even from afar, I can see his annoyance.
“Come on, cowboy. Are you afraid of a little bit of water?”
21FUCK IT
Dom
It’s notthe water I’m afraid of. It’s the fact that I can’t stay away from her.
I’m terrified of her, of being close to her and keeping my hands and my dick to myself. Riley is temptation on legs, with her sassy attitude and her carefree demeanor, almost impossible to resist.
Almost.
Because I have to.
I can’t go there. I came out here to tell her just that. That last night wasn’t about her, but about me and why we can’t happen. But today was hard, and she’s so perfect, but I can’t.
As much as I’d like to. As much as I likeher.
She’s beautiful, sexy, and smart, so damn smart, but she’s also kind and funny, and her spirit is contagious. She makes me want to be a better person just by existing. She deserves someone just as light as her, not with a decade's worth of baggage and little to give her beyond a good time.
“Dominiiiiiic!” she teases.
