Page 95 of Blue Jean Summer

I laughed. “Do you know how much people would give to be stuck here like we are? Don’t you ever dream of a do-over where you’re sixteen again and you get one more magical summer?” I traced the ripples floating across the surface. “What did you do after work when you lived in Bethesda?”

He shrugged. “Dinner. Work out. Read.”

“And as relaxing as that sounds”—I let my fingers drift over the glassy surface—“it would be more fun if you jumped in with me. Or you could put on those faded jeans that I like and we could go on a ride.” I pointed to his designer button-up and slacks. “Don’t get me wrong. I love Corporate Hayes. But as good as your ass looks in those dress pants, it looks even better in blue jeans. Put on those Wranglers, blow the dust off your boots, and feel the sunshine.”

Hayes chuckled. “You’re a really pesky wife, you know that?”

“You gonna join me?”

“You’re not in blue jeans.” Hayes’s eyes raked over my body. “I don’t think you wanna go riding like that.” He smirked. “As enjoyable as that would be for me.”

“Blue jeans or your birthday suit. You can pick.”

There was a long pause as he watched me with that stern look that had no business being as sexy as it was. He let out a dramatically long sigh as he loosened his tie and began to unbutton his shirt. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he grumbled.

I pumped my fist, flinging water into the air. “Yes!”

Hayes stripped off his button-up and undershirt, then his slacks, with deft fingers.

“Keep go-ing,” I sang.

“That water’s gonna be so fuckin’ cold,” he muttered as he shucked off his boxer briefs and padded to the edge.

My god, he is a work of art.

Hayes gave the water a testing kick, then jumped in. I squealed as I was pushed away by the wave. A hand clasped around my ankle, dragging me back to him.

“You made me get in this cold-ass water. Now I need you to keep me warm.”

I splashed at him playfully, but I was not about to argue with that. Wide hands spanned my ass as he brought us chest to chest. I wrapped my legs around his waist, bringing us face-to-face. “Better?” I asked.

Hayes rested his forehead on mine. “Much.” His breaths were labored as he held me up in the water.

“You okay?” I whispered as his fingers flexed into my skin—like he wanted to touch me everywhere but was holding back.

Hayes swallowed. His eyes lowered to my mouth. “How complicated does it make things if I said I wanted to kiss you right now. Just us. No one watching?”

I smoothed my palms up and down his chest. “Why do you want to kiss me?”

His exhale was sharp and frustrated. “Do you want the right answer or the real answer?”

“The right answer,” I said, taking him by surprise.

The tension in his temples drew down with disappointment. “Because I was fucking worried when Lewis had you cornered earlier. I need to feel that you’re okay.”

I brushed his lips. “Now tell me the real answer.”

Hayes slanted his mouth over mine. “Because I really fucking want to.”

“I like complicated,” I said with a smile before sealing the kiss.

Hayes snaked his hand up the back of my neck, tangling those long fingers in my hair. Goose bumps skittered across my arms. “Cold?”

“Yes.” My nervous whisper was a dead giveaway that it wasn’t just the chilly water making me come alive.

“Don’t lie to me, Cath,” he murmured against my lips. “What happened to all that bravado from just a minute ago?”

I tightened my grip around him, feeling the serpentine slide of his skin against mine.