Page 75 of Nikolai (Kansas City Reapers)

“Swimming. What does it look like?” I shot right back, tipping my head back to let my hair splay out behind me as I bobbed in the perfect water.

“We didn’t bring suits,” he lamented.

“Does it look like that stopped me? Come join me!” I urged, waving him over.

“I just said I didn’t bring a suit.” Was he pouting? From where I stood wading in the water, it certainly looked like it.

“Aw, is pretty boy afraid of a little skinny dipping?” I teased, wading closer to him before rearing my arm back and pushing my open palm forward against the water’s glassy surface, dousing him with a huge spray of water.

“You little minx! You’ll pay for that!” he cried out.

“No, I won’t. You’re too afraid to get naked and swim with me, so it looks like I’m in the clear.” I tossed back in a sing-song voice of pure bratty joy.

“You’ll have to get out sometime.” He stood there, clothes half wet, with his arms crossed over his chest and his brow furrowed into a deep frown. But even from this distance, I could see the smile toying at the corners of his mouth, threatening to give away his own delight at our little moment.

“No, I don’t. I’ll just stay here until the coast is clear and I can go home.”

“You WILL get out of that pool, princess.”

“Nope,” I shot back, making sure to pop the p of the word loudly and with great sass.

“Oh, yes, you will! Even if I have to drag you out of there myself!”

“But that would mean you’d have to getinthe water first, wouldn’t it?” I asked rhetorically, tapping my finger against my chin.

“You fucking little…” he trailed off as I turned my back to him, wading out deeper into the water. It was just deep enough that I had to stand on my tiptoes to stay above water.

The sound of splashing behind me let me know I had been crowned the victor of this particular battle. I realized my error a moment later as powerful arms wrapped around me like bands of steel, pulling me under the water with more force than I could ever hope to resist. I had just enough time to take a gulp of air before he pulled me under.

I broke through the surface, sputtering and coughing as he cackled behind me. I spun around to tell him off, only to slip on the slick rocks underfoot, falling back underneath the water. I rose again, this time finding more secure footing before I scowled at him, hands on hips, though he couldn’t see that easily beneath the water’s surface.

“What the hell, Niko?” I seethed, water dripping into my eyes from my now thoroughly bedraggled hair.

“Excuse me, princess, but I think you mispronounced my name. Try again.”

I shook my head defiantly, unwilling to give in to his demands so easily.

“Come on, princess. You can do it,” he teased, his hands wrapping around my waist and pulling me closer to him.

His hands slid down over my hips to my thighs,hoisting me up enough to wrap my legs around his trim waist.

“Say it, princess,” he goaded, kissing the tip of my nose.

“Make me.” I was feeling bratty after the long hike, and this was shaping up to be far too fun to quit now. I leaned in, pressing my lips to his before taking his lower lip between my own and biting down — hard.

“Ow! Fuck!” he swore, pulling away as I slipped my legs off of his hips and found my footing on the floor of the pool. As soon as I was stable, I swiped at his legs with one of my own, sending him crashing into the water. My hands found the top of his head, pressing him down.

I swam away quickly as he popped his head back up out of the water, sputtering and cursing my name.

“You little bitch,” he shouted, laughing as he wiped water from his eyes.

“Takes one to know one, buddy,” I giggled, lifting my legs up and floating on the water’s surface.

“But damn, you’re a fucking gorgeous little bitch.” He whistled low. I didn’t even turn my head to see his face, but I knew he was admiring my body as I floated along, relaxing in the juxtaposition of the hot sun burning down on me and the cool water cradling me from below.

I felt his presence before I saw him, the ripples of the water shifting as he swam closer. Strong hands touched along my back, beneath the water, tracing the lines of my body.

“Come here, princess,” he muttered, pulling me back upright and to him. My legs wrapped around his waist once more, my arms winding around his neck.

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