Page 114 of Bottle Shock
“That’s what you’re wearing?” Gavin asks, scrubbing a hand down his face.
I look down at my outfit: a white bikini with shorts, a tank top over it, and sandals. I also slipped some shoes meant for rougher terrain in my bag if we get into the brush.
“What’s wrong with my outfit?” I scowl. I do NOT like being told what to wear.
He laughs and throws back his head with a groan. “I’m trying to not stick my dick in you every chance I get, and then you go and put on that little bikini. It’s going to drive me wild. Might have to take you behind a rock or something.”
I shrug, trying to look unbothered, when really I’m loving it. This man wants me. Like all the time. And it’s so fucking hot. I’ve never known the feeling of being truly desired, and now I don’t think I could ever settle for less.
“C’mon, lover boy.” I grab his hand and drag him out ofthe bedroom. “Let’s go for a walk before you trap me in here with your magic cock.”
He laughs, and it comes out sounding like a groan, but he follows me out.
We set off on the lakeside trail, the smell of pine and sagebrush heavy in the high-desert heat. The hike is easy at first, and even though Elyse’s torture Pilates kicked my ass, I’m in fairly good shape. In Chicago I would regularly take advanced dance classes, keeping my skills sharp. But eventually the incline increases, the brush gets thicker, and my short legs can’t keep up with Gavin’s.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “You can walk ahead, don’t let me slow you down.”
His brows draw together beneath his glasses. “I’m not interested in the hike,” he laughs. “I just wanted to spend time with you out of the house. We can go slow, I’m in no rush.” He steps closer, brushing my hair behind my ear. “We don’t even have to hike. We can go lay down by the lake and enjoy the day.”
I remember how Gavin used to be before Lily was born. Traveling the world, jumping off God knows what, and diving into shark-infested waters. He was a thrill seeker, an adrenaline junkie. But he doesn’t do those things anymore. And even though I’m sure this trail is a bunny hill in comparison to the mountains he used to scale, I’m happy to walk alongside him and enjoy something with him he rarely, if ever, does anymore.
“Let’s keep walking.” I point to where the water curves inward and the shore rises into a rock formation. “Let’s make it there, and then we can turn back around.”
He nods, studying the rock, and I just know he wants to jump off it.
I didn’t say it.
But that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
We keep going, the pace slow and relaxed, but my excitement grows the closer we get.
I’m not someone who finds joy in risking my life, even the illusion of it, but I’m excited to experience a side of Gavin he usually suppresses.
I can understand why he’s careful now, more cautious. He’s all Lily has. And he’s too good of a man—too good of a father—to ever put her at risk of losing him before his time.
And the only reason I think this rock formation is worth the risk is because it’s a relatively low jump, and Wallula Lake is one of the deepest lakes in the state. As far as cliff jumping goes, it’s one of the safer bets.
We reach the rock and both pause to take it in. The cliff isn’t high—maybe fifteen feet—but from where we’re standing, it looks dramatic enough to seem like a longer drop. The lake below is a dark sapphire, glacial water runoff that’s sure to be ice cold despite the hot summer temperatures.
Gavin stands beside me, hands on his hips, staring at the cliff, but making no move toward it.
“Maybe when we get back, we can go lay by the lake. I haven’t seen nearly enough of the bikini you’ve been hiding.”
I giggle, wrapping my arms around him even though we’re both sweaty. “We can definitely do that. But before we do that, I have an idea.”
“Hmm,” he hums, looking out at the view.
I spin out of his arms and strip off my top. “We could walk back.” I slip off my shorts, kicking them to the ground. “Or we could jump.” I ball my clothes up and toss them in my bag, leaving me in nothing but a bikini.
His head rears back. “You want to jump? Since when do you jump off cliffs?”
I cross my arms, knowing my tits will distract him. “You used to like it. I thought maybe adrenaline-junkie Gavin would like to come out and play for a bit.”
His jaw flexes, lip rolling, and I can’t tell if he’s mad or something else.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
Maybe I didn’t think this through well enough.
