Page 19 of The Very Naughty List

I strip off my sleep clothes and put on the bikini, tying the pink strap around my back and pulling at the Brazilian bottom just a bit so that it leaves at least alittleto the imagination.

Then I cover up with a big warm coat, and give myself a determined nod as I stand in front of the mirror on the wall.

It’s literally freezing outside. There’s snow on the ground, and underneath this coat I’m practically bare-ass naked—with the exception of enough fabric to dress maybe half a dozen Barbie dolls. The coat reaches almost halfway down my calves, thank goodness for that, and my boots reach the rest of the way up. From the outside, I almost look like I’m actually dressed for the weather.

I head out to meet Sebastian, pulling up to see a bunch of townspeople gathered at the edge of Lake Monroe already. The Polar Bear Plunge is an annual tradition, and almost everyone who’s milling around on the shore participates every year, which is probably why most of them are smart enough to have wetsuits or at least long-sleeved shirts and pants on, and a dry change of clothes nearby.

At least I have that. I’m already looking forward to putting on the sweater and pants I brought with me for afterward.

Sliding out of the car, I wrap my arms around myself and look around, scanning the crowd. Sebastian isn’t here yet. I must have beat him. If memory serves, he was never much of an early riser.

For a second, I’m tempted to get back in the car, drive back to Ted’s, and crawl back into the bed in his spare room. But I’ve already made it this far, so instead of letting myself chicken out, I quickly shuck my coat and stride toward the shoreline. I join the rest of the crowd as they wait for the event to begin, my bright pink bikini like a beacon against the stark white snow that covers the ground by the lake.

“That sure is a statement.”

I turn around to see a guy I vaguely recognize from high school. He was a year behind me, I think.

“Oh.” I chuckle, my teeth chattering a little as I blow out a breath. “Thanks.”

“Is this your first time doing the plunge?”

“First andlast,” I say fervently, making him laugh.

“It’s not so bad,” he assures me. “The trick is not to hold your breath, and not to try to keep yourself from shivering. Youwantto shiver. It’s what keeps you warm.”

“Noted.” I nod as a visible tremor passes through my body, and his smile widens.

“You should’ve kept your coat on until right before we went in.” He takes a step toward me, reaching out as if he’s going to rub my arms. “Here, let me?—”

“Hey, asshole. Beat it.”

A sharp voice cuts him off, and we both glance up to see Sebastian bearing down on us. The guy from my high school blanches a bit at Sebastian’s massive size and the hard,protective look on his face. He holds up his hands and gives me an apologetic look, then turns and quickly walks away.

I’m about to tell Sebastian that he didn’t need to worry about that guy, but before I can, the youngest Cooper brother rounds on me—and hestilllooks pissed.

“What the fuck are you wearing?” he grits out.

I blink, surprised. I didn’t expect him to be angry about it. If anything, I thought he’d find it funny that I met his dare and one-upped it.

“A bikini. Don’t tell me you’ve never seen one before.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen one before, smartass,” he says, narrowing his eyes like he wants to bend me over his knee and spank me. “But why the hell are you wearing that here? Every guy at the lake is staring at you.”

“So what?” I glance around, sure he’s exaggerating. “I mean, why does it bother you so much? I’m only your fake girlfriend, not your real one.”

“Good fucking thing.” His eyes are still locked on me, his jaw tight. “If you were my real girlfriend, I’d throw you over my shoulder and carry your ass out of here.”

A shiver that has nothing to do with the cold races up my spine at the dark promise in his words, and for some reason that I can’t quite understand, instead of backing down… I poke the bear.

“Like hell you would.”

I lift my chin, uncrossing my arms so that more of my stomach is bared, just to make a point. It’s even colder without that extra bit of protection from the chilly air, but I don’t care.

A muscle in Sebastian’s jaw jumps, his gaze dropping downward before shooting back up to my face. Then he moves, scooping me up and tossing me over his muscular shoulder with ease. I let out a surprised yelp that turns into an ‘oof’ as my bodyfolds over his shoulder, my head and arms dangling and my ass in the air.

He turns and strides toward his car, and I can feel the palm of his large hand against my butt as he tries to cover my ass on the way.

“Sebastian!” I hiss. “What are you doing?”

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