Page 61 of Love Among Vines

By the time Rett rounded the corner of the house, she stood in the late afternoon sunshine in her bra and panties. With a calculated glance at Rett, she slowly shed those too, then ran down the short dock, leaping into the water before she could change her mind.

The chill of the water hit her like a fist. She broke through the surface, sputtering and gasping.

“Holy shit, it’s so cold.” In seconds, her nipples had pebbled with the strength of diamonds.

“I could have told you that,” Rett said with a mischievous grin. He set the picnic basket on the dock. His fingers went straight to the buttons on his waistcoat.

She was ready to climb out and find a warm shower, but if stiff-nippling it for a few more minutes meant that would shortly be joined by a naked Rett, she would tread water until Halloween.

“I’m surprised you’re joining me.” She hopped in place for warmth, just enough for the swell of her breasts to tease the water line.

Rett tossed his suit jacket and waistcoat to the dock.

“I’m trying to take your advice to heart,” he said as his pants puddled to the ground. “Have more fun.”

“Skinny-dipping on a Monday definitely qualifies.” She kicked off the rocky bottom and floated onto her back. Dappled sunlight shone through the trees on the shoreline. The mixture of the frigid water and the warm, humid air was strangely invigorating.

Boat motors whirred somewhere in the distance.

Something crashed into the water next to her. She straightened up and whirled around, but it was just Penny. A tennis ball was clamped in her mouth.

Okay, if the dog was invited, sexy things definitely weren’t on his mind. It was just as well. She wrestled the ball from Penny’s mouth and threw it back to Rett. Penny doggie paddled back to the dock and climbed up. With a mighty shake, she relinquished what had to be a half ton of water.

Jade shrieked and ducked underwater as Penny and Rett cannon-balled in.

“She’s definitely a lake dog,” he said as he wrestled the ball from her mouth. The water brushed the bottom of his ribcage. Had he taken his boxers off before climbing in?

Jade glanced surreptitiously at the pile of clothes on the dock, but it was hard to tell.

“That does explain why she always tried to leap into the reservoir in Central Park during our runs.”

Penny ambled her way back onto the dock, clearly having the time of her life. It was going to take forever to get her dried off.

“You have some paint on your neck.” He pointed to her left side.

“Oh, here?” She rubbed at the spot indicated.

“Lower. Here, let me help.” He swam toward her with long, confident strokes.

He slipped one hand behind her neck and cradled her head while he rubbed with the other. It was impossibly sensual. Her toes curled on the lake floor, probably digging up decades of silt. Could he feel how fast her pulse was hammering?

“Your heart’s beating a little fast,” he said softly.

Damn it.

“Probably something to do with being in constant fight-or-flight mode from this arctic water,” she mumbled over numb lips.

“Maybe I can help.” He closed the gap between them. The steel of his abs pressed against her.

Finally.

She shivered, and his arms drew around her like a protective shroud. Where did he find time to work out between running a winery and being a professional financial stick-in-the-mud? His biceps were the size of cantaloupes.

Since the two of them were already pressed against each other, she drew her arms around his neck. “I’m just going to say this once. Your ex was an idiot.”

A wry smile appeared, crow’s feet crinkling at the corners of his green eyes.

“What makes you say that?”

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