Page 20 of Steps

Catching it, Varen puckers his brows and glancesat me. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” I hurry to say and pick at my jeans.

“Fine then.”

The river comes into view minutes later. Insteadof going to the more popular spot, Varen drives until reaching a quiet areawhere there are no cars, and the trees are dense.

“Why’d you come here?” I ask, squinting out thewindshield at the isolated place.

Oh my God. Is he going to hurt me?

“It’s quieter.” He tosses his tie on the backseatand gets out of the car. “Come on.”

Nervously, I follow him through a thick path. Weeventually emerge onto the water. Absolutely no one is around.

I feel a naughty rush as Varen unbuttons his shirtand takes it off along with his pants, revealing a toned torso with apronounced V trailing into the waistbandof his black boxers.

Jesus. He’s so shameless. But oddly, I don’t mindit one bit. He looks wicked good. Body fit and sexy. He has an edgy tattoo of atrail of birds running down the middle of his stomach.

“Is there a meaning behind your tattoo?” Iinquire, feeling an urge to touch his six pack. Thankfully, I manage tosuppress my emotions.

Varen slants to the water as he answers. “My momhad a similar one that wrapped around her arm. It’s a tribute.”

“Oh. That’s sweet of you.”

He goes quiet for a beat. My heart races as Icarry my eyes down his muscular back. Damn. He’s a toned eighteen-year-old boy.Maybe he works out.

A gasp surges from me as Varen turns. Gosh. I’dlove to feel his firm chest again.

“Take off your clothes,” he says, snapping me outof my thoughts.

My eyes expand. “What?”

He arches a brow. “To go swimming, obviously.”

I harrumph and shift with unease. “Um, I only haveon underwear.”

“So?” He motions to himself. “It’s not a big deal.No one’s here.”

Nervous, I wring my hands before me and look downfrom his intense gaze. “That’s not why…”

Inching closer to me, Varen touches the hem of myblouse. My breathing amplifies as he starts to lift it.

“Varen…”

“It’s okay,” he says coolly. “You don’t need to beshy with me.”

I’m super nervous, but for some reason, I don’tstop him. Instead, I stretch my hands above my head and allow him to take offmy top.

It’s when I realize he’ll see my bra and cleavagethat I quickly cover my chest.

Varen glances at my hands. He doesn’t delay. Hemoves to my jeans next, unbuttoning it.

I tremble, both anxious and saturated in naughtyanticipation.

He tugs at the loop of my jeans then backs away alittle. “You need me to take that off, too?”

“Ugh.” I blink out of it and slide them down to myankles, kicking them aside.

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