Page 66 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

I swallow hard. “So, what do you think?” I ask, turning to her. Avery is leaning against a low stone wall, watching the last rays of sunset sink behind the inky ocean.

She gives me a slow, dangerous look. “I think… that heiress had the right idea.”

I cock an eyebrow, confused. “Dying of consumption?”

Avery laughs, stripping off her cardigan and backing towards the sand. “A late-night swim. What do you say, Duke?” she asks, and the sound of my name on her lips feels like a damn seduction. “Last one in the water is a loser!”

And then she turns and races for the ocean, her laughter carrying back to me on the late-night ocean breeze. I watch her kick off her shoes, and wade straight into the shallows, fully-clothed, splashing in the spray.

Damn.

So much for being a gentleman. There’s no choice here. Not for a second. I’m already racing after her.

I couldn’t resist her if I tried.

17

AVERY

Well, it only took twenty-nine years, but it finally happened:

I, Avery Lawrence, have officially lost my mind over man.

At least, that’s the only reason I can think of for plunging fully-clothed into the cold Atlantic ocean. The icy water hits my skin, and I squeal, but I force myself to keep wading deeper.

I need to cool off.

All day, I’ve been simmering to boiling point, and now, I’m just about ready to combust.

But Duke still won’t make a move.

It’s driving me crazy! We’ve been having a great time together: laughing, flirting, holding hands… but that’s all. I get why he might not want to jump my bones at a crowded family festival, but what would be so wrong about a chaste, lingering kiss? And now we’re finally alone, at his gorgeous ruined mansion, with the sun setting and the breeze whispering on my bare skin… any man with half a brain– or other organ– would think it was the perfect moment to take me in his arms and kiss me.

Or, you know, slam me up against one of those crumbling walls for the best wild sex of my life. I’ll take it, mold and all. Anything.

But nope, Duke is showing all the passion of a block of marble. He seems determined to keep his hands– and his mouth– to himself.

Argh!

I dive under a wave, and surface, spluttering and soaked to the skin.

“You’re insane, woman!”

I turn. Duke is wading towards me in wet jeans, shaking his head. “You’re going to catch pneumonia out here,” he warns, but his eyes are raking over me, a new, low heat in his gaze. My blouse is plastered to my skin now, the outline of my peach silk lingerie clearly showing through.

Duke’s jaw tenses.

I smile in victory– and relief. Maybe he’s not made of stone, after all.

“What are you talking about? It’s refreshing,” I tease, splashing at him. “And by the way, you lost. I beat you in the water. That means you have to pay a forfeit.”

Duke wades closer. “Is that so? Name your price, princess.”

“Hmm…” I pretend to think about it. “Do I want you to volunteer to help Suze on her next five theater projects, or streak naked through the square in Blackberry Cove...?”

“Aww hell,” Duke groans. “I should have known you’d make me suffer.”

“Me?” I bat my eyelashes, flirty. “I’m your dream come true, baby.”

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