Page 48 of The Summer Intern

"What the—" He whipped around, water dripping down his collar, beading and glistening on his muscled arms.Well, that just made me hornier."Did you just splash me?"

I adopted my most innocent expression."Sorry.My paddle slipped."

His eyes narrowed suspiciously."Your paddle...slipped."

"I'm new at this, remember?"I batted my eyelashes.

Matt turned back around, muttering something that sounded like "brat" under his breath.I bit back a smile and continued paddling properly for a minute—just long enough for him to lower his guard.

Then I did it again, this time sending a more substantial splash that soaked the entire back of his rash-guard, making it fuse to the rippling muscles of his back like a second skin.That was a win for sure.

"Casey!"Matt twisted around again."Are you five years old?"

"What?"I feigned confusion."I told you I'm not good at this."

"You're good enough at hitting me with water," he grumbled, but I caught the glint of amusement in his eyes."Keep it up and see what happens."

"Is that a threat, Director Blackstone?"

"Consider it a warning, Counselor Kim."

We continued paddling, the kayak finding a steady rhythm as we glided a little ways past the perimeter.I managed to maintain proper form for a while, genuinely helping move us forward, though my eyes remained fixed on the hypnotic flex and release of Matt's shoulders.

Each stroke revealed the detailed landscape of his back—the subtle ridge of his spine, the wing-like protrusion of his shoulder blades, the intricate play of muscles beneath the drenched fabric.Water droplets clung to the loose strands of his hair, catching the light like tiny prisms.I imagined running my fingers through those strands, tugging them free from the hairband, and watching his long hair tumble down his back, feeling its softness against my skin.

I was so entranced by this fantasy that I almost missed Matt's hand dipping into the water beside the kayak.

"Don't you dare—" I started, but too late.

Matt's hand emerged in a swift, powerful arc, sending a deluge of lake water straight into my face.I spluttered in shock, blinking rapidly as cold droplets ran down my face and neck, soaking the collar of my t-shirt.

"Oops," Matt said, not bothering to hide his smirk as he glanced back at me."My hand slipped."

"You will pay for that!"I wiped water from my eyes, unable to suppress a laugh despite myself."That's cold!"

"Should've thought of that before starting a water fight with someone who grew up on this lake."

"I didn't start a water fight," I protested, already plotting my revenge."I was simply demonstrating my inexperience with water sports."

"Oh, is that what you were doing?"His voice dropped to that infuriatingly sexy tone."And here I thought you were just trying to get my attention."

"Please," I scoffed, though he wasn't entirely wrong."Your ego is as massive as your—" I caught myself just in time, aware that we were still within earshot of campers.

"My what, Casey?"His eyes gleamed with challenge."Say it."

I leaned forward, keeping my voice low enough that only he could hear."Your dick, Matt.Which, if you recall, stretched me open perfectly.I might like to spend a little more time finding out how it tastes, though."

His paddle faltered mid-stroke, and I savored the small victory of making the ever-composed camp director lose his rhythm.His knuckles whitened around the shaft of the paddle, and I watched with satisfaction as he took a deep breath before resuming his steady pace.

"Keep talking like that," he murmured without turning around, "and I might have to find us a very private spot to continue this conversation."

The promise sent a thrill through me, and I dipped my paddle into the water with renewed energy.We fell into a companionable silence, the only sounds the gentle splash of our paddles and distant laughter from the campers as we made rounds along the boundary, helping kids who'd dropped their paddles and reminding the older kids not to wander off.

nineteen

Casey

Ilosttrackoftime as we made our circuit of the lake, my arms beginning to ache pleasantly from the unfamiliar exertion.The sun warmed my skin, and I found myself relaxing into the experience despite my initial reluctance.There was something undeniably peaceful about gliding across the water, surrounded by towering pines and mountains that seemed to touch the sky.

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