Page 42 of Love Me Reckless

“I think you’re ready to break a few of those,” he says, his eyes filling with mischief. “Come on.”

Chapter Eleven

SAWYER

Watchingher grapple with this decision is precious. Under normal circumstances, I’m not good at waiting, but for Kirilee, I somehow have all the patience in the world.

Finally, she slips her palm in mine. I grab her robe and my towel and lead her to the back gate.

“Um, dinner is this way,” Ava says with a curious twitch of her lips.

“We’ll catch up,” Kirilee says over her shoulder.

I’m secretly content it’s just us. Not that I’m trying to keep her from her friends… but I like this dare being ours and only ours.

Selfish, yeah.

I may not be able to give her fancy hotel stays or a giant diamond ring, but I can stand by her.

We exit the pool gate and follow a short, sandy path to the long dock extending into the darkness.

The boards squeak under our footsteps and the lake’s fresh scent fills the air. The boat slips lining both sides are empty. Kirilee is still holding my hand, warming me just from her touch.

“It’s really dark,” she says, her voice tight.

“It’s the same water as in the daytime. It’s even the same temperature as the summer, give a few degrees.”

“Right.”

We get to the end of the dock. I watch her face as she peers over the edge and takes a slow inhale.

“Will you get in with me?”

“You think I’d let you have all the fun? Of course I’m getting in with you.” I squeeze her hand. “You want me to go first?”

“Yes, please.”

She spins around and shuts her eyes.

I whip off my trunks. The cold air makes my skin jolt. “Okay, here goes.”

I try to think warm thoughts as I leap from the dock. The cold water slaps the soles of my feet and swallows me. When I come up, I hold in my gasp. It’s actually not as frigid as I’d expected, but my nuts might not thaw out until spring.

Treading water, I spin away to give her privacy. “Okay, your turn.”

“Brr!” she says.

Over the swish of water and my quick breaths, I hear her slip off her wet suit. “Okay,” she says. Gone is the fear from her tone. She sounds excited. Eager.

With a whoop, she splashes into the water.

I spin around as she comes up spluttering. Blinking her eyes open, she wipes the hair from her face with one hand while treading water.

“Wow.” Her teeth chatter but she smiles.

I laugh. “How does it feel?”

“Amazing.” Her limbs are a pale blur beneath the water as she works to stay afloat. “But weird too. Like the water is… more slippery. How can that be?”

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