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The water droplets rolled lazily down the slope of her shoulder, and I could only imagine the tight little body that was just below the surface. I reined in the flash of desire after my dick started perking up.
“So you got scared and your immediate reaction was to getnakedand get into the water?”
Her mouth popped open, and she quickly snapped it shut. “I was already naked, all right?” She grunted in frustration. “It’s hot outside. I didn’t thinkyouwould be here. Plus, you had the same idea!” When she gestured toward me, a small wall of water splashed my way, but I sidestepped to dodge it.
I lifted my chin, but Lark only held my stare in defiance. “Fine. I won’t look. But don’t forget, you creeped on me. I think it’s only fair.” I moved my head toward the shoreline. “Ladies first.”
Her jaw flexed, but then a wicked grin spread slowly across her face. I didn’t actually think she’d take the dare, and I wasn’t so much of a prick that I would force her to get out of the water when she was naked. I was just messing around.
Mostly.
When she tipped up one eyebrow, I knew I was done for.
Oh man. I think I fucked up.
Moving through the water, Lark shouldered her way past me despite having the entire lake to move around. Rivulets of water sluiced down her smooth back as she made her way toward the edge. My eyes followed as the flowing water lines nipped in at her waist and flared out as her bare bottom came into view. It was muscular and round.
Fucking perfect.
If my dick wasn’t paying attention before, it was at full salute and hailing the world’s most perfect ass.
Lark shot me a look over her shoulder, and my eyes whipped up to meet hers, then darted to the side. Too late. She’d caught me checking her out, just as she’d intended.
Without shame, she walked slowly toward the edge of the lake, gently rising out of the water like some sea goddess, and I stared like the lowly peasant I was. My chest squeezed at the sight of her. I wondered if she felt as soft as she looked.
Fuck. I hadn’t slept with someone in nearly a year, and the way my body was reacting to the mere sight of Lark told me I was well out of practice.
Once on the shoreline, I respectfully looked away as she moved behind a low rock and bent. Apparently she’d stashed her clothes, and it explained why I hadn’t seen them before I’d decided on my post-run cooldown.
From my peripheral, I tracked every movement as she turned away from me to dress herself. I scanned the tree line. A protective surge built in my chest as I looked out for anyone who might see her naked.
Anyone but me, I guess.
This woman was a nuisance—disrupting my plans and causing rumors to fly around my hometown, but damn.
She was intriguing.
Once she pulled on her shorts, sports bra, and shoes, she tied the arms of a hoodie around her hips. I turned to face her again. Before leaving me alone in the woods, Lark turned, her defiant little chin still high in the air. With her arms spread wide, she lowered herself into a curtsy before taking off up the path and out of view.
I fought the playful laughter that threatened to rumble in my chest.
* * *
“We can’t stay here.”I pressed my fingertips into my eye sockets and reached as deeply as I could for an ounce of fucking patience.
“Why?” Penny had her arms crossed and wore a familiar look of mild annoyance.
“Because I have to get back to campus.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m the head coach. I have a season to prepare for—game tape to review, plays to develop. The players and other coaches need me.”
“Why?”
“Even in the off-season there’s work to do.”
“Why?”
