Page 28 of Pretend You're Mine

“What are you doing?” I called out.

Creed shrugged and eased off his shirt. “Watch and see.”

Creed shucked his pants off with ease, tossing them carelessly onto the rocks. I couldn't help but notice his confidence as he stood there in nothing but his briefs, his eyes locked on mine. Was he teasing me? The thought made my heart flutter. But as he hooked his fingers into the waistband of his briefs, slowly dragging them down, I found myself lost in thought. I couldn't help but wonder what led him to be so comfortable in his own skin. Was it his upbringing? A past lover's admiration? Or was it simply his own unwavering self-assurance?

From my vantage point, Creed was a living embodiment of raw, primal desire. His broad shoulders were like slabs of granite, carved to perfection. His well-defined pecs echoed strength and virility, tapering down to his waist in a mesmerizing V shape that drew my eyes lower. His dick was long and thick, resting against heavy balls that seemed to pulsewith life. His muscular legs were the pillars on which this temple of masculinity stood. My gaze traveled back up from his feet, taking in every inch of him—the curve of his calves, the flex of his thighs, the bulge at his groin. I swallowed hard as I noticed his dick twitching slightly—an unspoken invitation that sent shivers down my spine. Lifting my eyes higher still, I met Creed's intense gaze. There was something about those eyes that promised both pleasure and pain—a promise I found myself more than willing to accept.

Abruptly he turned, breaking our connection.

As he strutted towards the water with all his assets on full display, I couldn't help but be both intrigued by and envious of his unapologetic confidence.

Goddamn!

He leaped into the water.

“Come on, Avery. Don’t let the voices in your head stop you. Be free! Live for once.”

I peeled off my clothes, each layer falling to the rocky ground beneath me, feeling the weight of Creed's gaze on my skin. I kept my eyes shut tight as I undressed, a futile attempt to shield myself from the raw intensity of his stare. My mind was split in two—one part daring to hope that he might find my leaner, shorter frame appealing, while the other half clung desperately to his earlier words. Creed had said he was straight; there was no way he could feel about me the way I did about him. With that thought echoing in my mind, I launched myself into the water. The hot spring enveloped me instantly, its warmth seeping into every pore and invigorating my senses. As I swam towards Creed, I steeled myself for what lay ahead. This was just a friendly swim between friends... or so I kept telling myself as I waded through the charged atmosphere between us.

“This feels so good. Go ahead and yell ‘I told you so.’”

A sly grin spread across his face. "It wouldn't have the right effect." His tone was teasing and confident.

Silence stretched for a moment. The air between us crackled with playful tension.

“How come you’ve never been here before?” Creed's brow rose. “You’ve had this treasure sitting right underneath your nose all this time.”

I laughed. “I guess adventures are really not my thing. But you're right; I'm enjoying this.”

We kept on talking about anything and everything, and I tried my best to ignore my attraction to him. Creed inched forward, scooping a handful of water that he splashed at me.

“That’s how it is now, huh? Attacking without warning? You little saboteur!” I splashed him back, laughing as we engaged in our little water fight.

“What are you? Three?” Creed snickered. “That’s even less than a cup of water, Avery. Try harder.”

We were like two kids, letting loose and enjoying the freedom of the hot spring. For a moment, I forgot all about my worries and insecurities, completely caught up in the moment with Creed.

I couldn't help but admire his toned body. He was effortlessly athletic and every move he made seemed to be perfectly calculated and graceful. It was mesmerizing to watch.

"Okay, okay," I finally surrendered, panting from all the splashing. "I give up."

"You put up a good fight, Ave." Creed teased with a smirk.

My pulse quickened when I heard the pet name he used. "I guess," I admitted with a sheepish grin.

We sank down into the water, letting it envelop us once again. It felt like a comforting embrace and I found myself leaning closer to Creed without even realizing it. He didn't seemto mind, though, and we sat there in comfortable silence for a while.

Creed and I paused, taking in the wilderness around us. My eyes scanned the vibrant greens of the evergreen trees standing tall against the bright winter sky. The air was crisp, but the sound of nature was still alive; I could hear the faint calls of cardinals and chickadees, their chirping piercing through the coolness. The rustle of leaves stirred by the breeze mixed with the distant murmur of a waterfall hidden somewhere in the forest.

The soothing warmth of the water was a perfect counter to the chill in the air. Every pore on my body sighed in relief as I welcomed the comforting heat, enjoying the contrast between the warmth of the water and the brisk winter air around us.

“Ave... can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” I replied, a knot tightening in my stomach. I sensed this conversation might take a serious turn.

“Why did you need a fake boyfriend?” Creed’s gaze bore into mine, his curiosity genuine.

I hesitated, running my tongue over my lips as I gathered my thoughts. “I’ve never really been someone’s boyfriend before.”

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