Page 72 of Twisted Collide

JOSIE

I couldn’t have plannedthis better if I tried. While I had no idea this opportunity would present itself, I like the thrill of thinking on my feet about how to drive him crazy.

It’s probably reckless. Oh, who am I kidding? It’s one hundred percent reckless, but this is what makes me feel alive.

As I open the door to the guesthouse an idea pops into my mind.

I’m going to go swimming.

That will not only drive him mad, but it will most likely piss my father off too.

Which is a wonderful bonus.

Making quick work, I throw my bathing suit on, the smallest and most indecent one I own.

It’s barely a bathing suit. It’s more like lingerie; with black lace and tiny strings keeping it together, it leaves nothing to the imagination.

I don’t bother grabbing a towel before I head back outside.

The temperature tonight is chilly, but Sherry likes to swim in the early morning, so the pool is always heated to a balmy ninety-eight degrees.

They don’t hear me at first, but when I make it to the edge of the pool, Dane sees me. His head jerks up, and my father follows his movement, turning to look at me.

“Josie? What are you doing out here?”

I cock my head. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m swimming. Is that okay?” I challenge.

“Of course, you can. I’ve just never seen you swim since you’ve been here.”

“Tonight, I felt like it.” I shrug, and at that, I dive into the water and start to swim the length of the pool.

Beneath the water, I can’t see anything. Almost like my future, its depths are unknown, but that’s what I like.

Not knowing.

Just living.

Once I’m done with my lap, I pop back up and look toward where they are sitting.

My father is talking, hands raised in the air as he describes in detail and gestures God knows what, but it’s not him I care about. It’s Dane, who has yet to take his eyes off me.

He watches me intently, like a man possessed.

He’s not moving. Hell, it doesn’t even look like he’s breathing.

Not remotely subtle, Dane.

His perusal lights me on fire.

He burns me from the inside out.

I need to have him.

And just like that, my father says something, drawing Dane’s attention away, leaving me cold and a bit annoyed.

Whatever my father says to him makes him laugh, and a sharp pain radiates in my chest.

It hurts.

---