Page 79 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

“You sure?” His hand went to the back of my neck. “You told me you wanted to be wild and reckless.”

His mouth teased mine, slowly coaxing my lips open. I pushed on his chest. “I meant in a warm bed, not in a cold lake where hypothermia might set in.”

His laugh rumbled against my lips. “You just said less than five minutes ago that you wanted to plant some roots here. If you want to fit in, you need to live like a local.”

“And jumping into the lake fully clothed qualifies me as a local?”

He smiled and shook his head. “Nope, but skinny dipping does.”

I sputtered out a laugh. “Now, I know you are crazy.”

He smirked like he was up to something. “The lake looks perfect. You can’t tell me you’re not tempted.”

I raised my brows. “What part of it will be dark soon, and I have no desire to ride my wet butt on the back of your motorcycle, do you not understand?”

He rolled his eyes. “Where is the girl who stripped in front of me when she was twenty-one years old and made me jump in the lake with her?”

“She grew up and realized that you can’t skinny dip on public property without the cops getting called.”

His shoulders shook with laughter. “It’s a good thing I know the sheriff now.”

“I still think I should stand here on the grass, fully clothed, and keep a lookout for you.”

He braced one hand on the tree and the other along my hip. “I think you need a little motivation.”

I pushed on his chest as if that would somehow save me. “You really think kissing me is going to get you what you want?”

He tilted his head and brought his mouth to mine. “I don’t know, you tell me?” His lips were slow and gentle as he applied the right amount of pressure to my mouth. He knew exactly what he was doing. And the worst part was, we both knew he could talk me into anything.

His hand slid under the hem of my white crop top. I moaned when his calloused fingers teased along the curve of my back. “Still don’t think I can talk you into it?”

I grinned against his mouth. It tasted like wine and strawberries. “Nope, but feel free to keep trying.”

His fingers went to my back, grabbed the hem of my shirt, and whipped it over my head. I was too dizzy from the kiss to fight him. “Do you still need convincing?”

“I think you need to try harder,” I said, letting out a breathless sigh. I was ready for him to strip my clothes completely off and do whatever the hell he wanted.

“Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea how hard I can go.”

My laugh turned into a squeal as he bent down and threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

“Brooks Dawson, you put me down right now.” I was laughing so hard as he moved toward the water.

“You will thank me later.”

And then he threw my ass in the lake.

I shrieked loud enough that you could probably hear it from the next town over. I sputtered as the cold water swallowed me whole.

I resurfaced and pushed my wet hair out of my eyes just in time to see him yank his clothes off, toss them on the grass, and dive in.

The water rippled around us, and when his head popped up, he looked pretty pleased with himself.

I splashed water at him as he swam closer. “Don’t you dare come near me?” I tried to scowl, but I was too busy laughing.

“Refreshing, isn’t it?” He ignored me and pulled me toward him.

“You’re lucky I love you.”

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