warm-up throw. Honestly, I’ve done this so many times I could probably hit the target without even looking.”
“Show me then. I want to see.” She gives my chest a slight push, putting some space between us. “I want you to look at me while you throw it.”
“Okay.” I grin and get back into position, my attention on her off to the side, watching me with eager eyes. “Ready?”
“Why are you asking me?” she questions. “You’re the one…”
Her words trail off at the sound of the axe splitting the wood. Instead of looking to see if I hit my target, I watch the huge smile that crosses her face instead.
“Impressive. But, I bet you can’t do it again.”
Smiling, I yank the axe out and walk over to stand right in front of her. Keeping my eyes on hers, I grab the back of her neck with my left hand and tangle my fingers in her hair. We’re staring at each other in the silence of the night lost in each other as I throw the axe for the third time.
“Did I hit it?” I ask after a few seconds.
She clears her throat and finally turns toward the target. “There’s no way.”
I release my hold on her and turn to see what she’s looking at. The axe is stuck directly in the center of the bullseye. “My best shot yet.”
She steps away and looks around us. “Maybe we should head back. I’m getting kind of tired.”
“Anything you want, Nat.” I walk over and turn off the first light. “We should probably shower and get ready for bed.”
“Yeah,” she says quickly, her face disappearing when I turn off the second light. “I’ll let you shower first.”
I grab her hand and begin guiding her through the darkness, lifting branches and kicking stuff out of her path. “There are no taking turns, babe. If people are awake, they’re going to expect us to shower together. Showering separately doesn’t make any sense.”
“Are you serious?” She stops walking.
I laugh and tug her back to me. “Don’t worry, you can wear your bikini. No one has to know.”
“And you?”
I grin, even though she can’t see it. “What about me?”
“Are you going to wear your trunks?”
“Why would I do that?”
“So you won’t be naked. That’s why.”
I plan on wearing them, but she doesn’t need to know until then. “Nah. Why does it matter when you’ve already seen me naked? I’ve got nothing to hide.”
“Oh, it definitely matters. Your bro—”
“My brother isn’t here, is he?”
“Dammit, Madden.” She yanks her hand from mine and shoves me away from her. “I’ll skip a shower then.”
“Wait a second.” I hurry and wrap my arms around her from behind before she gets too far ahead of me. “We can’t have them thinking we’re fighting. I was joking. Okay?”
“Okay, well stop,” she says firmly. “Let’s get this over with then.”
I have to admit, the thought of taking a shower with Natalie has me slightly excited even though we’re both going to be partially covered.
My brother might be a little pissed about our shower time, but he should’ve known this would happen from all the times he’s been here. He’s just lucky I won’t be naked.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Natalie
When we get back to the cabin, Jake and Riley are the only two left outside. It gives me hope that everyone else has called it a night; until we walk inside to see the others hanging out in the living room watching TV.
Alana looks over the back of the couch the moment she hears the door open, her attention settling on our hands as Madden’s grip on mine tightens. “We’re taking a shower and calling it a night,” he points out. “We’ll see you guys in the morning.”
“Okay,” Jess yells back. “Just don’t use up all the hot water, because none of us have showered yet. You know how quickly it runs out.”
“We’ll make it quick,” I say, my pulse racing as Madden leads me to the bedroom to grab our things. Even though we won’t be naked, just the idea of being in the bathroom while each other showers feels so… dirty. “Quick,” I repeat once we’re alone. “I don’t want to be stuck in the bathroom with you forever. You’ll get in and then I’ll jump in once you’re done.”
“Here.” He flashes me a sexy grin and tosses me a pair of his boxers and one of his T-shirts.
I look down at the worn-out RISK shirt in my hand and then down at his underwear. “What? The