Look.
Away.
"Wha...what are you doin'?" I wrap my arms tighter around my body. He's not...no...he couldn't possibly be getting undressed to swimwith me. That would be...that would be a terribly bad idea.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he shoots back as he pulls his boots off, then his socks.
I gulp nervously. "Find another creek. This one ismine."
Cole looks around as his jeans slide down his legs. He's wearing boxers. The long kind that hides his thighs from view. Thank God for small miracles. I might combust from the heat flooding my body at the mere sight of him.
"I don't see a sign with your name on it."
"Huh?" I respond, still dazed from the work of art that is his body.
"You said this wasyourcreek," he scrunches his face, a tiny sliver of sunlight dancing across his cheekbones. "Where's the landmark erected in your honor?"
I don't answer because he's stepping into the cold water and I'm...I'm in myunderthings.
I frantically peer around, hoping no one from church can see me right now. I'm pretty sure I would be exiled for ogling Cole's sculpted body and thinkin' sinful,sinfulthings about how it would feel pressed up really close to mine.
No, Rose.No. He's off limits. He's practically like an older brother. You can't...he can't...well, it is justoneswim. It's not like he'll be sticking around long enough to make this a habit. That's the thing about Cole Strickland, he never stays in one place for too long.
"You seen any snakes?" Cole asks, completely oblivious to the mini-freakout I'm currently experiencin'.
"Not today," I tease him. He's deathly afraid of reptiles. Snakes, lizards, anything that creeps or crawls.
"Not funny," he exhales.
He moves closer to me, his arm brushing against mine as he sits in the cold water beside me. He tosses his head back, letting the cool water run over his face. His beautiful, beautiful,beautifulface. My teeth sink into my lower lip as he sits up, water running over his strong shoulders and chiseled chest. Oh my word, Cole Strickland is as dreamy as they come.
Fireworks begin erupting in my chest as he runs a hand through the stands of damp hair on his head. Everythin' moves in slow-motion. Even the tiny beads of water slipping down his body. Then, he smiles at me.
"You alright, Ring Around the Rosie?"
"I'm fine," I mumble as I turn my back to him, remembering I'm practically naked right now.We.We are practically naked right now.
To him, we're just swimmin' in the creek together. To me, we're engaging in licentious behavior sure to spread around town faster than a prairie fire.
"You sure?" he pushes.
"I'mfine," I say again with a little more gumption.
He places his hand gently on my shoulder. His tender touch sears my icy skin. I'm torn between wantin' to run from him and runnin' my hands up and down his glorious body.
When I finally do turn around, Cole's dark eyes are full of concern. Something foreign vibrates in my chest. It feels like butterflies one minute, then an explosion the next. There's a war goin' on inside of me. Do I flee like all chaste women of the Bible would? Or do I stand right here and let the needy parts of me win? The parts wantin' to feel him. Taste him. Give in to temptation and do something I really shouldn't.
I know I should run, but I think I might burst into flames from the contact of his hand still on my bare shoulder. Burstin' into flames seems to be winning out.
"You don't look so good," Cole whispers. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I..."
"Are you sick? Do you need medical attention? Why aren't you speaking?"
I let out a small laugh. "You talk too much, Cole."
"I what?"