Page 86 of Most Likely to Fear Love

“Yeah, but you can’t say you didn’t deserve it,” I shot back, brushing wet strands of hair from her eyes. Her skin was warm despite the cool water, and she leaned ever so slightly into my touch.

Then she retaliated by sending a wave of water straight at my face, her laughter echoing across the lake.

“Oh, you’re asking for it now.”

I caught her waist underwater, lifting her up and spinning us both in a circle. Her surprised squeal turned into pure, uninhibited joy as we twirled, water droplets catching the late afternoon sun around us.

“Harle! Stop!” she gasped between giggles, her hands gripping my shoulders, fingers pressing into my skin. “You’ll drop me!”

“Never.”

I slowed our spinning but kept her close, our bodies pressed together. The smiled faded from her lips, replaced by a soft intake of breath as our eyes met. The playfulness of the moment shifted, transformed into something heavier, more electric.

For a heartbeat, we just stood there, chest-deep in the lake, staring at each other. I could feel her heart racing against mine, her breath warm on my face. The late sun painted everything in gold, including the water droplets clinging to her eyelashes.

I leaned in slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted. But Cassidy’s eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting slightly inanticipation. When our mouths finally met, the kiss was soft, tender.

She tasted like lake water and sunshine. Her hand slid up my chest to curl around my neck, fingers tangling in my wet hair. The simple touch sent electricity down my spine.

I deepened the kiss, pulling her closer until there wasn’t a breath of space between us. Her soft moan vibrated against my lips, and I had to force myself to keep the kiss gentle.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing harder. Cassidy’s eyes remained closed for a moment longer, her lips slightly swollen. As her eyes fluttered open, a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“Still think I’m the worst?” I murmured, brushing my thumb across her bottom lip.

She pretended to consider it, even as she pressed closer. “Maybe not the absolute worst,” she conceded, her fingers still playing with the wet hair at my nape. The teasing light was back in her eyes, but there was something softer there too, something that made my pulse leap.

I chuckled, stealing another quick kiss before loosening my grip slightly. “Come on, let’s get out before we turn into prunes.” I glanced toward the deck. “Plus, I think our dinner might be getting cold.”

She pouted slightly, and it took everything in me not to capture that bottom lip between my teeth. I helped her out of the lake, her hand gripping mine tightly as we waded through the water. Her teeth were chattering slightly, body trembling against mine as the evening air hit her wet skin.

“Jesus, you’re freezing.”

She tried to wave it off with a brave smile. “I-It’s fine,” she stammered, wrapping her arms around herself. The wet negligee clung to her like a second skin, making my mouth go dry despite my concern.

Without hesitation, I grabbed my sweater from where I’d hung it on the deck railing earlier. “Here.”

Cassidy looked up at me, water droplets clinging to her lashes. “But won’t you be cold?”

I shook my head, fighting back a smile at her concern. “Nah, I run hot. Put it on before you freeze.”

She took it gratefully, and my breath caught as she peeled off the sodden negligee in one smooth motion. Before I could fully process the sight of her bare skin gleaming in the sunset, she’d slipped my sweater over her head.

Holy hell.

It swamped her smaller frame, hanging off one shoulder and reaching mid-thigh. Her wet hair curled against her neck, and the way the fabric clung to her damp skin... Jesus Christ. It was the hottest thing I’d seen her wear all week, and considering the lingerie I’d bought her, that was saying something.

“Better?”

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as she snuggled into the fabric. “Much. Thanks, Harle.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Something primal stirred in my chest at the sight of her in my clothes, looking so damn comfortable and right. The urge to scoop her up again, take her inside, and show her exactly what she was doing to me was almost overwhelming.

But there’d be plenty of time for that later. For now…

“Let’s eat.”

The look she gave me suggested she knew exactly what I was thinking, and from her shy smile, she didn’t mind one bit.

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