Page 63 of Revelry
“My blood doesn’t need help stimulating,” I growled as she bent over, showing me that perfect heart-shaped ass. I actually reached for it before I shoved my hands into my pockets.
“The cool air and the warm water, come on! Great for mental health, alertness, rejuvenating, invigorating. All the ‘ating’ words!”
She eventually stood before me in her sports bra and panties. Then she turned and leapt off the rock face into the bubbling water.
Chapter Seventeen
Gertie
Warmth encompassed my skin.
I kicked my legs, pushing to the surface and broke through the warm waves of water, brushing my hair out of my eyes. I gasped, the cool air attacking my skin and I could have sworn ice crystals formed on my flesh.
I never said I had smart ideas; I was just trying to have fun and make Tate have fun too and now, I was almost naked in a hot spring in winter.
I needed to style this out.
“Come on in, Tate, the water’s fine!” I shivered.
“Tell your chattering teeth that, I can hear them from here!” he bellowed, standing on the rocky surface, hands on his hips. His silver eyes were molten but they had been since we’d sat down. I’d needed to jump in the water to get some space to calm down. Tate opening up to me was mind-blowing, I hadn’t expected it at all and after hearing everything he’d gone through, I just wanted to haul him to me and never let go.
And that was a dangerous feeling because not only was I trying to stay away from men, but this man wanted none of the same things I did. If I wasn’t careful to protect my heart, she might shatter all over again.
I’d needed a cold shower but the closest thing was the lake and well…we are where we are.
He stood, towering over the edge but kept looking behind him and around the trees.
“What are you doing?” I gasped; trying to smother another shiver that wracked me.
He scratched his head. “I feel like someone’s watching us!”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I laughed, swimming closer. “We haven’t seen anyone since we set off. Now get in the hot spring!”
He snorted in derision. “You have to be joking.”
“Come on, Tatey, live a little!” I goaded.
For a brief moment, it actually looked like he was considering it before he shook his head. He bent down, stretching out his hand. “Come on Gertrude, let’s get you out of there.”
I kicked away, out of his reach, like a brat.
“Gertrude,” he warned. His formidable tone had a little sliver of warmth trickling through me. He was so stern, God I loved it. I kicked further, pushing myself past where my feet could touch, which wasn’t hard given how short I was.
Tate and I were locked in a stand-off, neither of us backing down. He folded his arms over his chest, glancing briefly over his shoulder before fixing his attention back on me.
I tried to lure him again. “Tate, it’s so warm in here, you should get in.”
“I’m not stripping off and getting in the water in DECEMBER!” He spread his arms wide for emphasis and it was the most animated I’d ever seen him.
“I think I’m getting a cramp,” I whined. His face changed immediately, doctor-mode kicking in.
“Really?” His hands went to the front of his black waterproof jacket.
“Really, Tate. I don’t think I can swim anymore.” I dipped slightly below the water.
Yes, I’m an asshole, I never said I wasn’t. But sometimes people needed to get out of their own way and it was down to chaos worshippers like me to help them, through fair means or foul.
I broke the surface again and saw him tugging his shoes off and fought back the grin trying to lift my lips. “Tate, quick!” I choked on some water, for real, all my own fault but it added to the drama of the situation.
