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Eloise shook her head vehemently. “Think about it. I grew up with money, but my father taught us to appreciate what we have. Nothing is for free and all that.” Her cheeks flushed and she let out a soft laugh. “I can’t believe I’m talking to you about money right now. I’m so sorry.”
Her words resonated with him in a way he hadn’t expected. She didn’t care about his money. And it almost sounded like the thought of it turned her off. Her view of wealth was like a breath of fresh air after his dealings with his cousins. “You don’t have to be sorry.”
Once again, she glanced at him.
“It’s refreshing to meet someone who isn’t constantly thinking about how much I might be worth.” He moved a fraction of an inch closer to her. “Does this mean I passed the test?”
Her features scrunched into an adorable frown. “What test?”
“Do I get a second date?”
Immediately a smile replaced her confused expression. “I’d say I might be convinced to go on another date.” She finished off the last of her ice cream cone and brushed her hands together to rid herself of the crumbs.
“Mightbe?”
She nodded. “On one condition.”
“And what is that?”
In one swift motion, she dropped lower and scooped a wave of water toward him.
He only had a moment to realize what had just happened when she threw her head back and laughed. Shane stared down at his expensive suit. Heshouldbe irritated. Any man in his position would be.
But he wasn’t. He stared at her, completely in shock.
Eloise’s giggles dissipated, and her eyes widened. “Oh. I totally read that wrong. I shouldn’t have—”
Shane tossed the last of his ice cream aside. Then without warning, he scooped her up into his arms like a baby and sloshed out into the deeper area of the lake.
Eloise clawed at him, screeching loud enough to draw the attention of the few bystanders who were taking in the view. “Shane! Shane, you can’t. I don’t have a change of clothes.” Her arms wrapped around his neck tight as she clung to him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” he murmured, his voice huskier than before.
She laughed again. “Seriously, Shane. I don’t want to get wet.”
His lips quirked upward. “You should have thought about that before you created a tidal wave back there.” He lifted a brow, waiting for her to meet his gaze. When she did, he chuckled.
“Don’t. You. Da—”
Her final word ended in a scream followed by a splash.
This time Shane was the one who couldn’t contain his laughter. Her mouth hung open and water dripped from her hair, trailing down her face in rivulets.
“I can’t believe you just did that.”
“You started it.”
He put her down and the battle that ensued was wrought with splashing and dunking.
But best of all, laughter.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d just let go like this. It actually made him feel human again.
Eloise splashed at him, then attempted to dart away, but the water slowed down her efforts. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her tight against him. Their bodies collided. He wasn’t sure what he’d planned on doing, but whatever ghost of an idea had started, it evaporated faster than water on a hot summer sidewalk.
Droplets of water clung to her lashes. Her cheeks were flushed from their battle. She was breathing heavily, and her eyes remained locked with his. As time slowed, he could feel every single beat of his heart. Each pounding thump hit him with a force that could have easily knocked him to his feet.
Shane’s gaze dipped lower to her parted lips. He’d nearly kissed her in the barn earlier. It would have been so easy to steal that part of her that he so desperately craved had they not been interrupted.
