Page 31 of Live, Ranch, Love

“Fine,” I mutter to myself and whip off my T-shirt and jeans, receiving a cheer from Aurora like she’s some bride-to-be at a Magic Mike show. It’s interesting watching her slowly let more of her true self come out around me.

As I wade into the lake, the chill of the water electrifies my body, a stark yet welcome contrast to the beaming sun. Muscles I’d grown used to aching soften in relief as the water floats around them. The water’s not as high on me when I reach Aurora, where it’s around her shoulders, so I dip down to her height. Her eyes follow my chest down, staying on the water’s surface for a moment before they flick up to mine.

“Why an eagle?” she ponders, hazel eyes surveying me.

It takes me a second to realise what she’s talking about. I’m so used to my tattoos now, I forget about them. “Oh, it’s just a reminder.”

“Of?” Aurora raises her brows as she swipes her arms along the water’s surface, creating gentle ripples. Everything around us is so still and silent, it’s just the faint sound of water moving and our voices. Just the two of us.

“My mom always used to say that animals could act as guides throughout our lives—something she learnt from her heritage. She’s a quarter Cherokee. I remember her saying, or maybe I read it once, that eagles represent freedom and courage.”

Sighing, I let myself float back on the water and stare at the unbelievably clear sky above. Admiring the vastness of it, how I can’t remember the last time I really notice of such. The water around me bobs as Aurora joins me on her back. The weightlessness has me wanting to float here for hours.

“When I was at college, realising that I didn’t want to do what everyone else wanted me to, I kept seeing eagles everywhere. It was probably a coincidence, but I got the tattoo to remind me that I feel happier when I’m free, not caged. Then I took the job at the ranch.”

“Oh my God, and you make fun of me for being a cliché!” Aurora cackles, flicking water over me. I lose my steadiness in the water and have to drop back to my feet before I go under. I shoot her a scowl as she stands in the water again too, still giggling.

That’s the last time I’m telling her anything vulnerable again.

I splash a huge gush of water in her face, making her scream.

“Hey, that was so uncalled for,” she sputters out, wiping the water from her eyes. Droplets cling to her lashes, sparkling. But a smile dances on her strawberry lips.

A mischievous, enticing smile.

“What are you gonna do about it?” I cross my arms, watching her bite down on her bottom lip, hazel eyes burning wild.

Before I can react, Aurora pounds her fists against the water, drenching me with the spray. I spit out the water that got in my mouth, opening my eyes just in time to see her go to do it again so I grab her wrists, yanking her forward to stop her.

Unexpectedly, Aurora’s legs wrap around me almost instinctually as her silvery laugh chimes out, echoing across the lake.

I freeze at the contact.

At how well she seems to fit against me.

Aurora’s eyes flash as she takes us in—me holding her arms up over my shoulders, her legs circling my waist, our stomachs pressed together, flimsy wet fabric failing to stop us feeling every bit of each other. In the cold water, the heat of her is even more intense, making my body burn at every point we’re touching. If she sinks herself any further down my body, I’m going to be in a lot of trouble.

Shivers race through my bones, and I tell myself it’s only because the water is cold.

Aurora’s breath shudders out, the only sound filling the deafening silence that hangs between us for a beat too many.

“I should get back to the ranch,” I suddenly announce. Instantly, we both pull away, eyes darting around at anything but each other.

“Right, yes.” Aurora offers a thin smile. “Well, thanks for the ride—oh!” Her brows skyrocket up. “Not on you, obviously, haha. I mean the horses.”

“No problem.” Cool indifference laces my words as I stride away, trying to pretend that wasn’t incredibly awkward. Trying to pretend an image of her riding me didn’t flash in my head. “You alright to walk home? I’ll take the horses back to the stables on my way back.”

“Yeah, of course,” Aurora says. “Oh, Wyatt?”

I pause in the water. “Mhm?”

“Would you take a couple of pictures of me in the lake? For my Instagram. My phone is in the pocket of my shorts. Please?”

I fight the groan bubbling in my throat. Not because I don’t want to help her—I realise that I’m sadly part of this wellness blog now that it’s linked to the ranch with the retreat. But because I don’t think it’s a good idea to let my eyes lay on Aurora for much longer. Not when I can still feel the warmth of her skin pressed against mine so clearly.

Huffing out a sigh, I say, “Fine. But only a couple.”

“Thank you!” she chirps.