Page 61 of 5 Golden Flings

Shaking her head, Autumn pointed them both back down the path. This time, she didn’t rush to move ahead, but fell into a comfortable pace beside him.

It wasn’t long until a low rumble built to a dull roar. Ahead, Noah could see a brighter patch of sunlight indicating an opening in the forest.

But it wasn’t until they walked through the trees and into a clearing that he realized where they were.

Ahead of them, a small waterfall thundered. The stream was swollen and rushing, not just from the weather they’d gotten the last few days, but some melt off the mountains in the distance. While it had rained down here, it had snowed up there, but even at elevation the temperatures weren’t enough to keep the powder on the ground for long.

Without looking at her, Noah said, “I didn’t realize this was on the resort property.”

Autumn shrugged, long forgotten memories tugging at the corners of her mouth. Cutting him a side-long glance, she said, “We weren’t the only ones who snuck out here to cavort under the waterfall and take advantage of the forest’s privacy.”

CHAPTER 4

Autumn could have takena handful of trails on the property, but her feet had automatically sent her in this direction.

Clearly, she was a glutton for punishment.

Noah wandered over to the small sign sticking out of the ground. “Lover’s Bliss Waterfall.” Glancing back at her, his eyebrows shot up. “Who named this place?”

“What do you expect? We do live in Sweetheart, South Carolina.” Everything here had a kitschy name. “Not like it was a secret. We weren’t the only ones who enjoyed skinny dipping…and other activities here.”

The corners of his lips tipped up into a crooked smile. Mischief and heat glittered through those gorgeous blue eyes, the same color as the deep pool of water gurgling behind him.

“Don’t see anyone here now.”

“Trust me, security has their hands full here.”

Grabbing the tail of his belt, Noah began toeing off his shoes.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?”

“Noah, it’s fifty-two degrees outside. That water is below freezing.”

The glitter in his eyes only went brighter. “I sit in tubs of water colder than this on a regular basis.”

Of course he did.

Autumn tried not to watch, but it was utterly impossible as a small pile of clothing built up along the bank of the pool. Socks, jeans, Henley.

His body was…illegal. Or it should have been. The bulky pads he wore to protect his body clearly hid way more than she’d ever realized. The man had an eight pack, for crying out loud. Every muscle along his arms, legs and torso was defined. Sunlight poured across his skin, highlighting the peaks and valleys.

At least he kept his boxer briefs on, not that they hid much. The man had been blessed in more ways than just his ability to throw a football.

Pausing at the edge, he threw a glance her way. “You’re not going to join me?”

“Not on your life.”

“Chicken.”

“Intelligent.”

With a shrug, Noah took a deep breath and plunged straight in. She watched his whole body react, air rushing from his lungs, chest constricting. Every muscle pulled tight.

But he didn’t bolt immediately out like she would have. Instead, he went further in, further down, until his entire body submerged beneath the eddying water.

It was something, to watch the man control his body and involuntary physical reaction to the cold. After several seconds his breathing regulated. His eyes closed and despite everything, he looked blissful and calm.

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