“It wasn’t,” I say quickly. “It’s just easier to get Royce in there in the evenings. I have to stay on him.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
We stand there for a few awkward beats before she asks, “So, you gonna plunge or what?”
I glance over my shoulder to the trail.
“I was actually leaving,” I admit.
“Why?”
I shrug. “Didn’t want to disturb you.”
Her expression softens. “You wouldn’t have disturbed me. I’m just reading.”
She gestures toward the river. “I thought about jumping in for a swim myself, but the sun felt so good. I got comfortable.”
I glance toward the blanket.
It does look very comfortable.
For a moment, neither of us moves.
The air feels strangely charged.
Then I decide to stop being so fucking weird about it.
“I’m going in.”
I reach for the hem of my shirt.
Jovie’s gaze follows the movement.
The second I pull it over my head, her eyes widen slightly.
I toss the shirt onto the grass.
Her attention drifts slowly across the tattoos climbing my ribs and shoulder.
Like she’s studying them.
Heat curls low in my stomach.
When her gaze finally lifts and collides with mine, a flush spreads across her cheeks.
Caught.
I fight back a grin.
Then I reach for the zipper of my jeans and her eyes get even bigger.
I slide the denim down my legs and step out of them.
She actually gasps.
Then immediately spins around.
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
