a broad, smooth shelf of flat stone that ran alongside the water and would probably be perfect for sunning. If it were still sunny. It was edging toward sunset now, the sky awash with shades of twilight orange and pink.
Josh set his load down on the stone shelf and began unpacking the duffel bag. While he spread out a blanket for them to sit on, Mia ventured down toward the water.
It was dark and deep. And quite possibly teeming with snakes.
But it also looked appealingly cool. The temps had been hovering just below brutishly, improbably hot all week, and even with the sun sinking it was uncomfortably warm. But not in the water, probably.
“Feel like taking a swim?” Josh’s arms wrapped around her from behind, his chest pressing against her back.
“Are you serious?”
He nuzzled against her neck. “It’s a swimming hole. It’s for swimming.”
Mia had never swum anywhere that wasn’t man-made and chlorinated. She eyed the gloomy water with suspicion. “Is it safe?”
“Can you swim?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s safe.”
“What about snakes?”
He turned her in his arms and kissed the tip of her nose. “Snakes are as eager to steer clear of you as you are of them. They’re not going to come anywhere near a full-grown adult splashing around in the water.”
“Do you promise?”
“I promise,” he said solemnly. He bent his head to kiss her cheek before his lips moved to her ear. “I’ll even jump in first.” He let go of her and yanked his T-shirt over his head.
The sight made her pulse jump and her stomach feel tingly. He had a legit farmer’s tan and she liked the way it emphasized his biceps. But the rest of his torso was tasty as well. His broad shoulders, firm pecs, and hard stomach could have been sculpted out of marble.
He winked at her and the tingle in her stomach moved lower. “That way I’ll be sure to scare off any snakes who might be loitering in the vicinity.”
Still, she remained unconvinced as she watched him toe off his sneakers. “Are we really supposed to swim nude?”
The prospect of getting naked in what was technically a public space was daunting enough—even if there wasn’t currently anyone else around. But when she thought about getting in that untreated water without so much as a thin layer of spandex between her and whatever wildlife lurked in its depths, an unsexy shudder ran through her.
“That’s the idea.” Josh grinned at her and shoved his shorts and underwear down to his ankles.
“Oh. Okay. Wow. That’s—you just went for it.” She hadn’t expected him to be so casual about getting naked outdoors.
“You don’t have to take your clothes off if you don’t want to. It’s clothing optional. That means it’s totally your choice.”
Mia chewed on her lower lip, distracted by the sight of him stooping to pick up his clothes in his resplendent altogether. “But I don’t have a swimsuit.”
He balled up his clothes and tossed them toward the blanket like a basketball. “You can swim in your underwear if you’d be more comfortable.”
“Hmmm.” She sidled closer, intending to squeeze that perfect ass of his, but he dodged away from her with a smirk. “If you want some of this, you have to come and get it.” Before she could make another grab for him, he cannonballed into the water.
Shrieking, she leaped backward to avoid getting drenched by the splash. Josh disappeared under the water for a moment before his head broke the surface again. Shaking the water out of his hair like a dog, he grinned up at her. “Did I get you wet?”
“No. Thanks to my catlike reflexes.”
“Why don’t you bring those catlike reflexes over here?” His eyebrows tilted seductively as his arms sliced through the water, keeping him afloat. “Come on in, the water’s fine.”
“Is it cold?” She kicked off her sandals and edged toward the water, intending to dip a toe in.
Josh sent another splash of water at her, forcing her to jump back again to avoid getting her clothes soaked. “If you’re going to do it, you have to do it all at once. None of this wishy-washy inch at a time stuff.”
Narrowing her gaze, she stared down at him with her hands on her hips. “That means it’s cold, doesn’t it?”
“It’s fine.” He wiped the water out of his eyes and slicked his hair back. “Do I not look fine to you?”
He did look fine with water glistening on his bare shoulders and broad chest. Extremely fine.
The lure of Josh’s naked body