Page 60 of Chasing Sunsets

I grin. “You have to remove it all.”

She exhales, tilting her head as if weighing her options.

Then, she smirks. “You’re on.”

Five minutes later, I am sprinting down the wooden steps of the deck and toward the freezing cold ocean in nothing but my birthday suit, my hand cupping my manhood, while Tabby cackles behind me.

I don’t stop. Don’t hesitate. I just throw myself into the waves, the water shocking every nerve in my body.

When I surface, sputtering and swearing, I hear Tabby’s laughter echoing across the sand.

I shove my hair out of my face. “I hope you’re pleased with yourself,” I yell.

“Extremely,” she calls back, arms crossed as she watches from the shore, all smiles like she just won the lottery.

I stomp dramatically back onto the beach, dripping and shivering, while she barely suppresses another laugh.

I narrow my eyes at her. “I will get revenge for this.”

She smirks as her eyes do a lazy trail down my body and back up.

I hold her gaze for a moment. Then, with a wicked grin, I shake myself off like a wet dog—spraying her with cold, salty water.

She shrieks, jumping back.

I smirk. “Oops.”

She glares at me. “That was a mistake.”

And before I can react, she pulls the hoodie over her head and tackles me.

I yelp as we both hit the sand, her hands going straight for my ribs in a ruthless tickle attack.

I’m laughing too hard to fight back.

She finally relents, sliding to the side and sitting up, beaming down at me, her hair wild, her face glowing with victory.

And even though I lost spectacularly tonight, as I lie there, looking up at her, all I can think is,Damn, I really like this girl.

I get up, turning to look at the water, and tug her over into my lap. Waves roll in, lazy and gentle, licking at the sand, and the air is thick with the hum of the evening tide. The beach is empty, except for us sitting at the water’s edge, our toes sinking into the wet sand as the foamy surf rushes forward to kiss our feet.

I brush the top of her head with my lips. She’s breathtaking in her black bikini, which hugs every perfect curve. Her long blonde hair is loose, catching the breeze, strands sticking to my damp chest. When she turns to look at me, her eyes are playful, her lips curved in that teasing, knowing way that makes my pulse pick up.

“Well?” she prompts, tilting her head. “Are we just gonna sit here, or are you getting in with me?”

I raise a brow. “You want to go swimming? Now?”

“Yeah, night is the best time.”

I lean down and whisper in her ear, “I don’t know. You might need to convince me.”

She rolls her eyes but smiles. Then, she turns in my arms, the heat of her body inches from mine. “What if I told you I’m an excellent swimmer?” She reaches out, running a finger down the center of my chest.

“You’re good at everything,” I say, keeping my voice even, though every nerve in my body is screaming.

She quirks an eyebrow. “And what if I told you I could beat you to that buoy out there?” She points to the bobbing red marker a little ways offshore, her tone full of challenge.

Now, I grin. “Oh, you think so?”

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