Page 28 of Secondhand Secrets

Before she knew it, a large wall of water flew at her.

That devil!

She ducked but too late.

Doing her best to cover her face, she spluttered out what water landed in her mouth. “You’re such an ass!”

She ran at him now, not even caring that the water slowed her steps. The surface hit at just below his waist, and she launched herself at him, aiming to push him over, only for his longer arms to catch her first.

“Not fair.” Her cry held an unmissable huskiness, the solid wall of his body meeting her bare skin as he pulled her into an all-too-coordinated embrace.

So much for pushing him over.

His warm breath stroked her cheek in an enthralling contrast to the cold air and water around her, one that made her heart race and her head dip in surrender, her forehead coming to rest on his.

Emilia’s advice rushed in. That Ally was best to learn Chip as a grown man. A man—once, her dearest friend—now, maybe so much more.

She’d already had glimpses of his personality. Lighthearted, balanced with cutting intelligence. A man who maybe saw too much in her. Then there were moments like this.

When nothing else mattered but the breath-taking sensation of his body against hers. The musk rising from his damp skin. Or the sharp adrenaline shearing her veins as her eyes drifted shut, and she rose to press her lips to his.

Thirteen

Chip tightened his hands at Ally’s waist and pulled her closer, the river lapping against him in calm discord to the desperation sweeping him over. Her kiss. A rare and sumptuous stillness to the noise that overran his brain. She tasted like fresh summer berries, warm and sweet, and so he crushed his mouth harder to hers, seeking more.

Her arms latched around his shoulders, and she pulled herself up, attempting to wrap her legs around him. His help came in the deliciously evil gesture of cupping her ass and lifting her.

Fire roared deep within him, swallowing every question he had about how they’d gotten here and whether he was right to let lust consume him. But her gentle moan in response to each hungry lash of his tongue obliterated his innate ability to stop and make a sensible choice. As did his muscles drawing taut with a need to explore her further.

Slowly. Slowly. He’d never wanted someone so much, but he didn’t want to blow this with rushing. Then again, she’d been the one to instigate this kiss… and the last one.

Oh, but I’m not all that innocent, either.

Of course, he wasn’t. And he didn’t want to be. Still, he’d sensed her doubt time and time again, had a few of his own. Besides, this was Ally. His Ally.

She moved her hands so that her fingers raked through his hair, simultaneously pulling him to deepen the kiss. So passionate. So demanding. Tempting fate, he gave her what she asked for, not just with the kiss but in walking blind toward the river’s bank, her still supported in his arms.

Willow branches brushed his shoulder, the water up to his calves while his skin tingled from the press of her sex against his already rock-hard excitement. He wanted her in every way a man could want a woman, and her legs at his waist made the prospect of taking her so much easier.

This isn’t like me at all.

But his need for her only grew, giving him the distinct feeling a one time-romp by the river would never be enough.

He got her as far as the thick grass beyond the sandy banks, then lay her down beneath him. Could he even have her? Here, in the open? Her legs clamped tight around him, pulling him closer down there, crushing his doubts like a tidal wave to land. She didn’t want him to stop. No. She downright urged him on.

He ground against her, and she threw her head back with a needy whisper, prompting his own possessive growl. Since when was he possessive?

I don’t want to fall for someone who won’t be around.

Those words bashed about in his head, and he slammed his eyes shut, wrenching his lips from hers. Taking her would be easy, but easy now would lead to complicated later.

“Chip?”

Her tone held a reassuring warmth, and he opened his eyes to her softened gaze searching his, her languid body sprawled beneath him, the creamy white of her tummy highlighting the gentle swirl of her belly button.

The sight of her had him hardening anew, that hardening excruciating given his position between her bare thighs—all while he burned to lean down and trek his lips over her exposed body.

“Chip?” New brightness entered her tone, bringing his attention back to the light smile on her lips.

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