Page 48 of Cross My Heart

“I don’t know, okay?” I whisper. “I just—can’t not see you.”

There’s a moment of silence between us, and then he says, “Get in.”

“What?” I laugh. “No fucking way. It’s freezing!”

“Don’t be such a pussy, Ranger.”

I narrow my eyes at him and shake my head but then begin to strip. First, I take off my boots and socks and set them aside, away from the water. Then I take off my shirt one-handed, and I don’t miss the way Tyler is looking at me. With hungry eyes, lust swimming in them. When it’s time for me to take off my pants, his gaze dips down. My breath stalls in my lungs, as I unbutton my jeans, and when I slip them off, he swallows hard. I hear the gulp, and I raise an eyebrow.

“Underwear off,” he rasps.

I shake my head. “That’s a terrible idea.” He narrows his eyes at me. “What if Scarlett comes out?”

“We’ll say we’re skinny dipping.”

I huff but do as he says. My eyes stay trained on his face, his eyes on my cock as I slide my boxers down my legs. My cock is already at half-mast from just having his eyes on me, and when we make eye contact, he smirks.

“Shut the fuck up, Ty,” I groan, getting in the water. It’s fucking hot. I hiss as I lower myself until I’m covered up to my neck, and his smirk turns into a grin.

“I wasn’t going to say anything.”

“Who’s lying now?” I raise an eyebrow again, and he chuckles.

“Where’s Jeremiah?” Tyler asks me, and I look forward, avoiding his gaze. It’s dark out here, so I can’t really see anything, but I pretend I’m looking at the most riveting thing I’ve ever seen in my life. “I imagine he wouldn’t be okay with you being out here naked with me.”

“You’d imagine right.”

“So?” he asks. “Where’s he at?”

“Gone,” I reply, licking my lips. “He left me.”

“What?Why?”

“You know why.” I look at him, and he’s frowning, a confused look on his face. He really is dense sometimes. “Or do you not remember how you treated him last year?”

“So he left you because I don’t like him?”

“No.” I shake my head. “He left me because I have feelings for you.”

“And how the fuck would he know?”

“Isn’t it obvious, Ty?” I chuckle. “Even Scarlett can see it plain as day. It’s no surprise Jer caught on too.”

“So?” he huffs, as if he’s angry for me—when I know he’s not. “You could’ve denied it.”

“And what?” I laugh. “Live a lie? No thanks. He doesn’t deserve that anyway.”

“And what does he deserve?”

“Everything,” I reply honestly. “Everything he wants in life should be his.”

“You sound like you’re in love with him,” Ty spits out.

“Idolove him,” I sigh. “That’s how you treat people you love.”

Tyler’s nostrils flare, and he looks like he wants to wrap his hands around my neck and squeeze. But he stays on his side of the hot tub, and I just stare straight ahead. “If you love him so fucking much, why’d you let him walk away?”

“You soundjealous.” I roll my eyes, avoiding his question. “But surely I’m wrong since you’re married and all.”

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