Page 311 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Chapter 7

Mia

“C’mon, it’s not that cold.” Noah waved me over from the middle of the water.

I held back. “I call bullshit.”

He laughed and dove under again, flipping on his back to float. I could stand on the bank and watch that all day long.

My hesitation wasn’t just the freezing water. The strange feeling swirling through my body was now front and center, and I could no longer ignore it. This guy was a freaking god, with or without clothes. Not that I saw beneath his shorts, but I didn’t need to. His upper torso was enough to turn a girl’s legs to jelly. Perfectly formed biceps, hard toned abs, and tanned skin dipped in glorious tattoos. Noah might just be the most gorgeous guy I’d ever laid eyes on.

He stood, rising out of the water and strode toward me looking like he belonged in a secret agent movie. “It’s fine once you’re in.”

I still called bullshit. But my new life was about seizing the moment. Not letting opportunities pass me by. I’d regret not getting into the water. More than that, I didn’t want to see his disappointment if I said no.

“Okay.” I lowered my arms, stepped to the water’s edge, and dipped in a toe. “Holy freaking cow. It’s ice.”

Noah barked a laugh. Before I knew it, he stood in front of me. How did he move so fast? Despite the water’s temperature, heat radiated from his body, all that firm skin covered in tiny water droplets. My eyes tracked a single drop as it slid all the way from his chest to the hem of his shorts. I should stop drooling over his abs. My hand twitched. I wanted to trace the drop’s path, tuck my fingers beneath the hem of his shorts and yank them down.

Oh, no way.The last thing I needed was to fall for this guy. Clearly, my body didn’t get that memo.

I dragged my gaze back to his. His light blue eyes darkened until they resembled the deepest depths of the pool behind him. Dark and mysterious. It must be the light because I’d never seen eye color change like that.

My breath quickened. As though in slow motion, he lifted his hand and swept it along my jaw. Even though we’d only just met, his touch felt familiar, awakening something deep inside me.

He leaned closer. My heart galloped. He was going to kiss me. I wanted him to, but should I? I’d only known him for nine days. Not that I counted.

He drew closer still until his warm breath whispered along my lips. I closed my eyes, anticipating his mouth touching mine.

In one swift movement, he scooped me off my feet and flipped me over his shoulder fireman style. I squealed, kicking my legs, but that only encouraged him further. He dashed back in the pool, carrying me until the water lapped at my feet.

Pressed against him with all that body heat swirling over me, didn’t distract me enough. The water was still cold.

“Ready?” His tone was deeper, raspier than a moment ago.

I swallowed, so I could at least respond. “No?”

Without waiting a second longer, he dropped to his knees and dunked us both beneath the water. Air punched from my lungs in one whoosh. My fingers tingled. Goosebumps burst along my arms and legs. I kicked, trying to get free but Noah tightened his hold.

Less than a second in the water, he stood again. I sucked in a breath.

He slid me down his front, still holding me tight. “See? It’s not that cold.”

Not now, not against his chest. Of course, I didn’t say that aloud. Too lost in his eyes, I didn’t care what happened outside our little bubble. My whole body wanted to curl up next to him and bask in his warmth forever.

As though he only just now sensed the intimacy of our position, Noah lowered my legs for me to stand. I retreated a few steps, stumbling over uneven rocks until the water reached my shoulders, but he followed, never more than an arm’s length away from me. His gaze locked on mine.

“You’re right.” I spun to face the waterfall, pretending to admire it instead of thinking about how much I wanted his hands all over me. “It’s warmer once you’re in.”

He moved behind me. Goosebumps transformed into tingles, sweeping through my body, centering in one place.

He pressed flush against my back and lowered his mouth to my ear. “Wanna see behind it?”

I seriously needed to compose myself. “Behind the waterfall?”

“Yeah.”

Beneath the water, he took my hand and led me toward the falls, following a path around the outer edge.

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