Page 54 of Can’t Say No

“What are you waiting for, a written invitation?”

I’ve spent most of my adult life with people staring at me. On stage, in interviews, even just walking down the street. But nothing compares to the way Connor is looking at me right now. It’s a mixture of anticipation and need. And I am more than willing to satisfy both.

I toy with the hem of my shirt while I kick off my shoes. The heat in Connor’s eyes makes my heart race. All these years, and this is what was waiting for me in Ridgecrest. I want to savor this feeling, but his expectant gaze is a force I can’t fight. I shimmy out of my pants quickly and toss them with Connor’s clothes, my tank top coming off next.

Standing there at the edge of the lake in just my bra and underwear, I motion for Connor to turn around, and he dutifully obeys.

“I can’t believe you got me naked in the woods, Connor Majors,” I say as the last of my clothes joins the pile. The air whips around me as I tiptoe into the lake. “If I get bitten by a bug or fish, I’m gonna kill you.”

Connor just laughs, deep and sexy, and swims farther into the lake. I sink down to my shoulders, bobbing in the chilly water, then he turns back to face me.

My heart races under his gaze.

“Delaney.” He shakes his head, the glow of desire still burning in his eyes. The heat sends shivers through me. “Tell me what you’re thinking.” He bobs in the water, treading out deeper.

I tilt my head back, keeping myself mostly submerged. The sky is dotted with white, the sun hiding behind the clouds. The Tennessee sky I didn’t know I was missing. “I’m thinking about how this looks like all my favorite memories.”

“All my favorite memories look like you.” He replies simply.

“Damn, you’re just full of good lines today, aren’t you?”

He shakes his head again. “Baby, these aren’t lines. This is me finally being honest with you, and myself.”

That sends my stomach into cartwheels and I can’t help the smile that creeps onto my face.

“Well, honesty suits you.”

“Yeah?” He says, voice deep. “You want some more?”

And fuck, if I wasn’t in over my head with him before, I definitely am now. I swim his way, suddenly desperate to close the space between us.

“I always want more.”

Connor dives down under the water and pops up moments later right in front of me. Water drips off his dark lashes, and his eyes twinkle with mischief as we tread water inches from each other.

“I honestly think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

I send a little splash of water to his face. “That’s because you’ve never left Ridgecrest. Plenty more beautiful people than me in L.A.”

He shakes his head. “Nope, not possible.” He continues on. “I honestly believe you’re more talented than you let people see.”

My eyes trail over his face, searching for the lie, but all I see is sincerity. I let my gaze linger on his full lips, the memory of them forever burned onto mine.

His voice drops even lower. “And I honestly want to make you mine, for real.” His eyes slowly move downward as his hands find my waist in the water. The touch sends my heart into a frenzy.

Our feet brush, still spinning in the water to keep us afloat.

“Connor.” His name comes out like a prayer. Our bodies barely touch as we bob in the water inches from each other.

In one swift motion, he turns and swims back toward the shore, catching my hand as he does and pulling me with him. He plants his feet in the shallower water, and his defined chest peeks out from the surface of the lake.

That one point of connection, our joined hands, is all it takes. An overwhelming feeling of need, one I’ve never known before, has me wrapping my legs around his middle, gripping my arms around his neck, digging my hands into his neck. Anything to be closer to him.

“Delaney.” He whispers against my lips. “You know I want you more than anything.”

The evidence of that desire grows beneath me, and I let out an involuntary moan.

“But… I’m not fucking you in this dirty lake.”