Page 21 of Shamrock Kisses

“You are.”

“I’m not.” The giggle that follows makes me think she wants it though.

“Well … when I count to ten, I’m tossing you over my shoulder,” I say, raising an eyebrow. “Your choice on how much clothing you’re wearing then.”

She lets out a laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. “You wouldn’t.”

I start counting, slowly. “One …”

Her eyes dart away, like she’s weighing her options, then back to me. “You wouldn’t,” she repeats, though the edge in her voice suggests she’s not entirely convinced.

“Two …”

“You don’t even have a towel yet.”

As I open my mouth, Rachel swiftly dismounts and bolts down the hall, her laughter echoing through the house. I’m quick to follow her, running behind. By the time I catch up, she’s already yanking open a cupboard, pulling out a couple of towels.

“Three …” I tease.

“You first!” she squeals, looking down at my chest.

I toss off my shirt, and she bites her lip, checking me out. “Four …” I say, serious about what is going to happen when I get to ten and loving her reaction to me being shirtless. “You should probably start getting undressed unless you want wet clothes.”

She crosses her arms but smirks, and I step out of my jeans, standing there in just my boxers. “Five.”

“Make me,” she challenges, and I move closer to her, resting my hands on the top of her jeans.

“You want me to undress you?” I ask, hesitant and wanting to confirm.

She lifts her arms up in response and I slide her shirt over her head slowly, my fingers brushing the bare skin of her sides. Every second feels longer, and I have to force myself to breathe normally.How is this even happening?

“You’re so beautiful.” My fingers linger at the waistband of her jeans. “What about these?”

“I think they have to go.” She smirks, then giggles. “Thank God I’m wearing underwear today.”

I cock a brow, turned on, unable to speak and in disbelief about this day. I’m about to run into freezing water with the hottest, most playful, fun girl, both of us in our underwear.She’s amazing.

The guys’ warning from before pops into my thoughts. What if this is just fun for her, and I’m reading too much into it? What if I screw this up and ruin everything?

“Aren't you going to help me?” she challenges.

It hits me—we might hook up. Holy shit. I hide my face in my hands, trying to pull myself together. Kissing her has been epic, but …oh my God. Focus. She wants me to take her pants off. Focus on the task at hand.She wantsyouto take her pants off.

My hands tremble a little as I unbutton her jeans. I can’t look into her eyes right now. I’m too nervous.

“It’s cute that you’re nervous,” she whispers. “I find it very charming.”

“I … I really didn’t think this was going to happen today,” I admit, staring into her amazing blue eyes before dropping to my knees to pull her pants down. “I was just hoping to talk with you.”

“You’re so sweet.” She pats the top of my head as she steps out of her jeans. “And such a good boy.”

I’m nervous, but there’s a part of me—just beneath the surface—that wants to take control, to show her I’m not just the nervous guy she thinks I am. It’s time to show her.

I bite the side of her hip on the way up and then whisper, “I know how to be bad.”

16

“Prove it,” I challenge, locking my eyes on his, feeling a rush of anticipation. His boldness surprises me, and I’m reeling from how much I love it.

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