Page 161 of Always You

Finally, I leap forward, automatically making her turn her back toward me with a shriek, trying to get away as my arms circle her waist. My bare chest connects with her back, and my cheek rests against her hair as I hold her in a tight grip, our laughs slowly growing quiet. Feeling her skin against mine, I realize the mistake I made when my dick presses against the cheeks of her ass, eager for more. My lips part as I let out a deep breathagainst her ear while my heart rate speeds up. Not willing to let go, though scared to stay in the same position.

The resilience dies down as I hold her, a flutter going through my stomach when I put my lips flush with her ear. Eleven months ago, I’d take my chance and make full use of the open window. But I’m adamant to not screw this up, and take my time to show her I’m in it for the long haul.

I can be patient.

“I’m dying to kiss you, but I won’t. Not until you’re ready.”

She gasps for air at my words, then pushes out a deep breath.

“I’m going to count to three, and let go of you. Then you’re going to get out, and get dressed again, okay?” I whisper.

She nods in agreement, and I dip my chin, pressing a lingering kiss on the crook of her neck. When my lips land on her skin, she sucks in another sharp breath, then holds it until I start counting.

“One. Two. Three.” I let go of her warm body, then move around her to give her the privacy she needs to get out of the water. Frustrated, I close my eyes, blowing out a breath, but chuckle when she gets out of the water, muttering, “Always a tease.Asshole.”

“Don’t tempt me, Charls.” I laugh, shaking my head in surprise at her comment. Her walls crumble down more by the second, making me even more confident about me and her.

“No! Don’t temptme, you jackass!” The edge in her tone twists my attention to her, my jaw dropping at the sight in front of me. Her upper body is fully above the water, her tits staring back at me, perky and taunting as hell. Wet blonde hair covers up her nipples, but I can see the hard nubs peeking through her strands. She looks sinfully gorgeous, and all I want to do is take her face in my hands and pull her lips to mine. But the death glare in her green eyes holds me from moving a single muscle, and I realize my confidence was short-lived.

Shit.

63

It’s weird how my emotions can go from full contentment to fuming within a heartbeat. But to be honest, it doesn’t even surprise me. This is Hunter’s biggest talent. Making me feel happy one second and completely incredulous the next.

“This is what you fucking do!” I fume, and his brown eyes fill with guilt. “You make me cross the line and then you push me away!”

“Do you want me to kiss you?” His lips spread in a grim line. “Because I fucking will!” He takes a few steps forward, enough to let the V of his hips appear from below the water. My breath falters, suddenly aware of the fact that I’m still naked.

“No! That’s not the point!” I quickly turn around, stomping onto the cobblestone.

“Then what is the point?!”

I pick up a towel, covering myself up with it, then ignore him strolling closer, butt naked, with an attitude as if he’s fully dressed. I hate him. I hate him and I hate even more how fucking good he looks with water dripping down his skin.

Cocky son of a bitch.

“The point is that you’re an asshole.”

He scoffs. “Gee, Charls. Original. Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Argh, you piss me off somuch!”

“I know that!” He yanks the other towel from the ground, rubbing it over his wet hair, not even pretending to rush to cover up his goddamn junk.

“Then stop pissing me off!”

“I don’t know how!” His motions stop, a pained expression hitting me like a ton of bricks as his voice softens. “Tell me why you're mad at me.”

Grunting and growling, I fumble with the towel around my lady parts, trying to put my underwear back on. “You wanna know why I’m mad?” I shout. “I’m mad because my world turned pitch black, and you were gone! I’m mad because you stir up all these old feelings. I told you last year I was done! It was over! But here you are, confusing the fuck out of me.Again!You’re like this old dog who never loses his tricks.”

“Better be a fucking Bull Mastif then,” he mumbles, pulling his boxers over his hips.

“Hunter!”

“I’m kidding! Sorry!” Our gazes stay locked, both filled with fire. My attention drops when he pulls his teeth between his lips, then whispers, “I fucking hate how I broke your heart.”

“See, I don’t believe you anymore.” I point my finger at him. “Youdid that. Once upon a time, I’d trust you with my life. Now I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.” I continue putting on the rest of my clothes, too angry to look at him.

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