Page 26 of Married to the Rake

“Oh no.” Cold water splashed up her hems and soaked through her layers. She landed fully atop him, her hands upon his chest. The river lapped at the sides of his jacket.

Dropping her head down, she rested her forehead against his chest. It was not making the situation any better but she was not sure she could bear to look at him. What a fool she had made of herself.

His body shook and she knew she should move. No doubt he was freezing in this water. It took her a moment to realize the shaking was coming from laughter. She lifted her head and stared at him. “What is so funny?”

“This.” He splashed his hands into the river. “Somehow, being with you has turned into quite an adventure, Chloe.”

She looked at his amused expression and felt a tiny smile of her own slip across her lips. Itwasa rather ridiculous situation to get into.

He gripped her arms and eased her off him then helped her to her feet. It was only then did she become aware that she had been pressed fully against him, feeling every hard ridge of his thighs and the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. Any chill from the river swiftly dissipated and she glanced away from him.

Brook pressed a finger under her chin to force her to look at him. “Are you hurt, Chloe?”

She shook her head. “Only my pride.”

“At least it was only I who witnessed it.”

“You are probably the worst person to witness it. You shall be retelling this story forever.”

He lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps. But I shall tell it with fondness.”

He glanced down at his soggy breeches and her soaked hems. “We should dry off before returning home. I am not certain how either of us shall explain this.”

Chloe considered her father waiting for her but suspected he had most likely settled in for an afternoon nap. He would not miss her.

“Yes, you’re right,” she agreed, despite the fact that her family would quite readily accept that she had been silly and slipped in. And if Brook’s parents were still questioning him at his age, that would be a curious thing indeed. Whatever the reason for insisting they spend more time together, she could not bring herself to argue against it.

“Come with me.” He took her hand as though that was the most natural thing in the world. It did not even feel strange to slip her fingers in his though it did make her stomach punch and her breath feel a little shaky. He led her out of the woods and into the fields, following a path that she had never taken before until they merged out onto a sunny spot of land that was free from the shade of trees or the view of farmhouses and buildings.

“This is another of my favorite spots,” he explained.

“I am on Waverley land here, am I not?”

“You are. You should not be discovered. No one comes here except me.”

Chloe pursed her lips. “So I’m on enemy territory. Should I be concerned for my welfare?”

“I think you’re more likely to get yourself into trouble without my help.”

“Perhaps,” she conceded.

Slipping off his jacket, he laid it on the grass and motioned for her to sit. He sat beside her and pushed up his shirtsleeves. She glanced at his forearms which were lightly dusted with hair and his veins flexed as he moved his fingers. She had never studied a man’s arms before but Brook’s were infinitely fascinating for some reason.

She glanced away when he looked toward her. Hopefully he had not noticed her interest. She was all too aware that this man held all the power. He was known for being a charmer and a rake and she was known for…well liking books. And now for being clumsy. The last thing she needed was for him to think she was interested in him.

“Relax, Chloe, we shall not be discovered.”

He laid back, his hands behind his head and his eyes drifted closed. She stole the quickest of peeks at his profile, at the way his thick lashes fell against his skin. His lips, when relaxed, begged for the touch of fingers. It was no wonder he had so much success with women, he was like a work of art.

Shaking her head at herself, she followed his suit and laid back, letting the sun prickle its way along her skin and begin to dry her. She would have to be far more cautious and cease any silly thoughts toward Brook. He might look like a harmless, sleeping man, but he was dangerous. In every way.

---