Northern Rebel Daring in the Dark - By Jennifer Labrecque Page 0,38
thin but curvy. He fisted his hand by his side, trying to keep from reaching for her. If he touched her now, they’d never make it into the water, and she wanted to experience the lake.
“It is fairly conservative, but that’s Skye.”
“What about you? Would this suit be what you had if you’d packed your own?”
“No. This isn’t anything like my bathing suit at home, but it’s probably not a bad idea to dial myself back.”
He knew she was talking about her experience with her former employer. For the short period of time he’d known her, he was already positive that none of the blame had been hers. “You have to be true to whoever and whatever you are.”
“Agreed.” She dipped her toe into the water. “Although sometimes things get so mixed up, you lose sight of just who you are.” She circled her foot into the lake, sending ripples farther out. “Ah, this is nice.”
A breeze kicked in and she crossed her arms as she waded out, moving tentatively. “I’m thinking there’s a drop-off...yes, here it is.” She began to tread water. She slipped below the surface momentarily and then emerged, her already short hair plastered to her scalp. She turned to him, laughing, exhilaration shining on her face. “Aren’t you coming in? This was your idea, after all.”
Lars stood, drinking in the sight—her laughing eyes, the smile curving her lips, her sleekness surrounded by water and highlighted by the setting sun. He snapped out of his momentary stupor. “It was my idea, wasn’t it? I guess that means I should go in.”
He pulled off his T-shirt and Delphi turned her back to him, facing the open expanse of water and the opposite shore. “What are you doing?” he said as he took off his shoes.
“Giving you some privacy.”
“I’m coming out in the water with you.” He shucked his jeans.
“I know, but—”
“You’re a nurse.” He pulled down his jeans. “Haven’t you seen it all?”
“But you’re not in a bed—”
“Why didn’t you say so sooner?” He cut her off, deliberately misconstruing her comment, teasing her, as he joined her in the lake. “That can easily be arranged.”
They both knew a bed was where they were going to wind up. The way she’d returned his kiss, the look in her eyes...
She laughed. “I meant a hospital bed. In an exam room.” She splashed him, yet one more time taking him unawares. He hadn’t counted on her playfulness. Her aim was surprisingly good—the water caught him on his lower face and shoulders.
“You’ll pay for that,” he said, as he wiped away the droplets, joining in her game.
“You’re going to get wet anyway.”
“We’ll see how you feel about that in a few seconds.” He advanced on her.
She backstroked farther out, watching him. “But I’m already wet, so there’s no need for you to do anything.”
Everything tightened, thickened and quickened inside him at their double entendre exchange. “Oh, but I want to make sure you’re really wet.”
Her glance challenged him. “I’ve taken care of it.”
“It’s just not the same. Be ready.”
“You have to catch me first.” She glided out away from him, toward the center of the lake.
“No problem. I was a competitive swimmer in high school.”
She stopped, treading water. “What? Are you serious?”
It was just the edge he needed. He caught up to her. “Nope. Psych.”
“That’s not fair.” Despite her protest, her eyes smiled at him.
“I know.” He caught her and pulled her to him. She put her hands on his shoulders, holding on. Wet skin against wet skin, her curves fit against him, causing his breath to catch.
“You’re shameless.” She, too, seemed breathless and he knew it was him, them, not the exertion.
“I like that,” he said. “Shameless goes right along with amoral. Now prepare to get wet.”
“Look. See. Already wet.” She pointed to her hair slicked against her head, as well as the fact that she was immersed in water up to her shoulders.
Nonetheless, he tightened his hands on her waist. “Take a deep breath. On three, you’re going under. One...”
She looked up at him, laughing, daring him to follow through. “You wouldn’t—”
“Two...”
“Lars—”
“Three.” He dunked her. She squealed just as she went down.
He pulled her back up. She broke the surface spluttering. “You really—”
“Uh-huh. I told you.”
She swiped the water away from her eyes. “I thought you were just psyching me again.” She pursed her delectable lips in a pout.
“You aren’t really mad, are you?”
She slid her hands to the back of his neck, cupping her palms. “I should be.”