Page 81 of Blitzing Emily

Then Brandon tossed Emily through the air and into the water.

She came up sputtering. It was freezing. She’d never experienced anything so cold. She got to her feet and yelled, “What the hell wasthat?”

Brandon waved a wet finger at her. She splashed him. Emily’s hair dripped liquid icicles down her back. The water was up to her ribcage as she moved slowly toward him.

“You’re gorgeous when you’re mad,” he said.

“You aresogetting dunked, NFL Boy.” She hurled herself at him. He didn’t move.

“Now you’re talking trash. Bring it.” He shook the water out of his curls like an overgrown golden retriever. His teeth weren’t chattering anymore. He was too busy laughing at her. She didn’t miss the gentle amusement in his eyes.

She hooked her foot around his ankle, managing to pull his leg out from under him. They both fell into the water again.

He came up laughing. “That’ll teach me.” He pulled Emily closer. She felt something against her leg that wasn’t either one of them.

“Ewww. What was that? I don’t like it!” she shouted.

“It’s a fish saying hello, sugar.” He rubbed his ear. So, she was a little loud when startled. “Take it easy.”

Emily was getting used to the freezing cold. They were in one of the most beautiful places she’d ever seen. The mountains rose around them; the sky was a brilliant azure blue. The water flowed white over various boulders.

Suddenly aware of the water’s currents, Emily said, “We’re floating.”

“I’ve got you. Look over there.” He nodded toward the shore.

Two young deer stood in the clearing where they left their things. The doe regarded them with liquid brown eyes. The young buck bowed his fur-covered antlers toward them as if he were tipping his hat. He ambled to the blanket and nudged Brandon’s backpack with his nose. His lady friend followed him. They delicately picked their way to the water’s edge, and dipped their muzzles into the rushing water.

“Maybe they’ll steal your shorts,” Emily murmured.

“That’s not going to happen. Even if it did, you like me naked anyway.”

Emily could feel her face flaming again. Another look at that package wasn’t unwelcome.

“It’s so cold,” she said, “but I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

The deer continued to drink from the river. Butterflies danced around the clearing in the sunshine. The gentle breeze ruffled the grass and the wildflowers. It was a Disney movie come to life, except for the whole “nude in the great outdoors” angle.

Slowly but surely, wherever Emily’s flesh touched his, she was warm. She rested her cheek against his chest, and the wiry blond curls there tickled her nose. Brandon bent his head and captured her mouth in another long, slow, sensual kiss. She brought her hips against his and wrapped her arms around his neck. His tongue moved against Emily’s, darting and slipping. Of course, her knees weren’t working.

“I’ve got you,” Brandon said. “But you’re cold. Let’s go lie down.”

He led Emily out of the water and up the bank. They slipped on the wet rocks a bit, but made it back to the blanket. The deer had wandered away. The only sounds besides their breathing were the rushing water, trees rustling in the breeze, and birds chirping in the distance. She lay down in the sunshine, rolled onto her back, and held her arms out to him. Even if they were both still dripping wet, Emily wanted him as close as she could get him.

“Still mad at me?” he asked.

Her fingers tangled in his chest hair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His head rested on her shoulder. She dropped a kiss on his forehead. He circled one of her nipples with a fingertip. “They look like little raspberries.”

Brandon and Emily lay quietly for a few moments, drying in the sun, and then he shoved himself up on his elbow. “Where were we?” he murmured as he took her face in his hand. His leg slipped against hers, and he covered her with his body. He was hard against Emily’s belly, and she realized she’d been waiting for this since the moment they met.

“You were kissing me, and then you dumped me into the water.”

“It was an accident. I’ll make it up to you,” he said.

“I’m not sure that’s possible,” Emily said.

“You don’t say.” He covered her breast with one hand, and teased the nipple with his thumb. Shocks of sensation rolled through her body. “There’s no Tiffany’s out here. I’m fresh out of the usual offerings. Will you take a rain check? I’d hate to think you were so mad at me that we couldn’t continue enjoying ourselves ...”