Page 62 of Love By a Landslide

What the bloody hell just happened?

Jonathan looked up to see his lakeside assailant splashing around happily. Lucy’s joyful laughter was tinged with a slight wobble, presumably because the water was so flipping cold.

“Come swim with me,” the alluring sirenbeckoned. Sun sparkled off her wet skin and hair as she treaded water a few feet away. The crystal clarity allowed him to see she was wearing just a bra and panties.

Jonathan licked his lips then shook his head. “Nope.”

“Aww, why not?” She made a playful pout and sent another little wave his way. “You’re already all wet.” He put his head down and returned his focus to filling the bottles. They really didn’t have time for this. She swam a little closer and flicked more droplets at him.

“Lucy,” Jonathan scolded, feeling much like a teacher giving a final warning.

Paddling to the lake’s edge, she pulled herself up to sit beside him. “I see you’ve reverted to being a grouch—what gives? Is your back hurting again?” She wrung the water from her hair, inadvertently arching her breasts up in the process. Jonathan’s eyes swept over her glistening body. Perched on the granite slab beside him, she looked good enough to eat. Or touch. Or lick . . .

He dragged his stare away and resumed his task. “My back’s good. If we want to get to town soon, we shouldn’t dillydally.”

“Dillydally? Ok, grandpa.” Lucy chuckled as she rose to a stand and then plodded away toward her discarded clothes. Jonathan glanced over his shoulder and watched her go, full hips and ass swaying seductively. Twin dimples peeked out over the top of her sensible black underwear. His fingers itched to trace each one. Was she trying to tempt him, or was it all in his imagination?

Theyreallyneeded to talk. But not there. That conversation would be best had once they reached civilization. Maybe over a beer. Or in bed. For now, they needed to focus on the final leg of their journey.

Once the last bottle was filled, Jonathan returned everything to his bag. Lucy walked back to the edge of the lake as scantily clad as she was before. “I thought you were getting dressed,” he saidwith a little more strain than he meant to.

“I’m going to clean up first.” She turned to him and popped a hand on one hip. “You should too.”

“We’ve been through this.” Jonathan groaned and marched closer. “We aren’t at a spa. That isn’t a pool. We’re almost out of food and need to get back ASAP.”

“A few more minutes won’t hurt,” she debated. “It’s not like we’re going way out in the middle, just away from the shore a few feet. Think about how good it’ll feel to wash all that sweat and grime off your body. Plus, won’t the cold feel great on your back? It might soothe the muscles a little.” Her arguments and single arched eyebrow wore him down.

Itwouldbe fucking incredible to feel clean again. And if they stayed close to shore, there wouldn’t be much risk. And the biggest bonus was a nearly naked Lucy.

“Ok, fine. Five minutes.”

“That’s all I ask,” she said with a giggle. “Now strip.” Her arms crossed over her chest, shifting her breasts up, producing even more cleavage.

Sweat beaded on Jonathan’s forehead.

“Can you turn around?” He hoped his words came out more teasing than agitated. Taking his clothes off while she watched felt a little more erotic than he could manage at the moment. The last thing he wanted was to sport a semi while standing there mostly naked.

Fortunately, the icy water would remedy that real quick.

Lucy bit her lip to hold back a grin but complied with his request and turned.

Shirt and pants removed and neatly folded, Jonathan figured the best plan was to get it over with and jump. If he eased in, he’d never make it beyond his knees. And with any luck, he’d be able to pay her back with a splash of his own making. After a few silentbreaths, he worked up the nerve and leapt.

Ho-ly shit!

The water was beyond cold. It felt like his balls sucked up into his body, and any partial erection he had earlier was long gone. Breaking the surface, he spotted Lucy on shore, eyes and mouth wide in shock and dripping wet all over again. Mission accomplished. Jonathan couldn’t hold back a laugh, which was short-lived.

“Cannonball!” Lucy hollered as she launched herself toward him, landing mere inches away and submerging him in the resulting wave. Both sputtered and coughed as they splashed frantically at each other. Lucy swam around and dunked Jonathan from behind. He retaliated by looping his forearms under her butt and launching her up and back a few feet. Out of breath and shivering, Jonathan made his way back to the edge and snagged the soap so they could wash. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d bathed that quickly. In less than two minutes, they were out and lying side by side, face up to the sun.

“Aren’t you glad you listened to me?” Lucy released a contented sigh.

“As much as it pains me to admit it, you were right.”

“Ahh. Now that’s the stuff.”

“Don’t let it go to your head, sunshine,” he crooned.

“Never.”

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