Page 45 of Wild for You
“Dare.” Her eyes sparkle with mischief.
“I dare you to get on your knees and say, ‘Jack, I promise to listen to you from now on because Ineedyou.’”
“I’m not saying that!”
“Why not? It’s true.” I laugh, trying to keep a straight face.
“No, it’s not true! I’m an independent woman, and I don’tneedanyone.” She lifts her eyebrows. “Want, however, that’s a different story.”
I pull my lips to the side in a smirk. “Listen, if you want to lose the game, have at it.” I pretend to get up, acting like I’m clearing out to go to bed.
“You can’t lose truth or dare, asshat,” she snaps. She still hasn’t budged from her place in front of the fire.
“Whoa.” I look around in concern. “Baby, I hate to tell you this, but losing truth or dare is real. Sounds to me like you haven’t played the official game before because where I come from, if you don’t fulfill your choice, there are consequences.” I pin her with a stare.
Her breath hitches for a moment, and her eyes sparkle with mischief. “What kind of consequences?”
My balls clench in response. It takes every fiber of restraint I have to keep up this charade. “Well, that depends on the other players.” I look around again. “And since I’m the only one here, I guess it’s all up to me. It could be anything from skinny dipping in the ocean to … eating a beetle. You just never know.”
She gags audibly. “You will never make me eat a beetle. Mark my word on that one. I’ll starve to death first.”
“Let’s see, what will your punishment be …” I look around the darkening campsite.
“Forget it, Jack.” Her voice is stern, losing all sense of playfulness from before. “I can take a hint. Your testosterone levels have obviously dropped too low to be rational. You should make sure to see your doctor first thing when you get home. I’d hate for your peepee to shrivel up from lack of attention.” She pushes my chest away, and I grab her wrist in a challenge. We stare at each other for a little longer than is comfortable as I search her eyes, pleading with my own to stop being so defensive. I don’t know if she feels this spark between us, too, or if it’s just her raging hormones talking, but even I know I’d be a damn fool to pass up this opportunity. I just hope I can keep my heart intact this time.
“Fine, swimming lessons it is.” I stand up and peel my shirt off before offering her my hand.
“Seriously? Can’t we relax and have a little fun for even five minutes?”
“Why are you avoiding this?” I raise my eyebrow as I study her. Her face is flushed and her breathing more rapid, like she’s nervous. “Let’s just go over the basics for like five minutes,” I plead. “It’ll make me feel better.”
“Ok. I’ll do it. But you’ll have to catch me first.” She darts to the side, taking off in a full sprint toward the beach. I’ll admit, she’s quicker than I expected, but there’s no way her petite legs can beat me. Within seconds, I’ve caught up to her, and we find ourselves in a face-off. I’m on the tip of my toes, watching her, waiting for her to choose a side.
I see her eyes flick to the right, and I lunge, catching her just as her legs kick off the ground.
Her laughter is wild and manic. It’s effervescent and explosive, the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. I can’t help my wicked grin as I throw her over my shoulder while she tries to kick and punch her way out of my grip.
“Save your strength for your lessons, Baby Spice.” I slap her on the ass, my hand easily connecting with her skin since her bikini bottoms are just a few inches shy of being a thong. I swear this woman’s swimsuit choices drive me mad.
I wade into the cool ocean water as the waves crash against my shins, and I don’t stop until I’m waist-deep. Then, without warning, I pull her down into a cradle and sink us both down under the water.
She gasps for air and pushes me away when I bring us both up. “Dammit, Jack! You got my hair wet!” She splashes water in my face in frustration.
“Oh, stop. You were going to get wet if you did it right anyway.” I wink.
“Well, now I guess you’ll never know.” She plugs her nose and sinks into the water, this time brushing her sleek blonde hair back away from her face.
“Baby, I don’t need to feel you to know when you’re wet for me. Now come here.” I pull her in front of me, so her back is facing my chest, and I grab her arms, moving her through the motions. “Open your arms like this and push against the water while you kick your feet. It’ll propel you farther than keeping your hands close to your body.” I steady her hips and give her a gentle squeeze for encouragement. “Now, you try by yourself. I’ll be right here the whole time.”
“You promise not to swim off and film a shark, leaving me to fend for myself?”
I grin. “That sounds nothing like me. Now go.”
I watch as she pushes away from me, gliding through the water. She starts strong, mimicking my arm movements exactly, but when a bigger wave crashes over her, she falters. Before she can panic in the current, I’m by her side, lifting her. “Very good.” I steady her and let her catch her breath. She’s shaking now, and it kills me to force her to do this, but it’s for her own good. I have to know she’ll be ok when I’m gone. I shake the thought from my head because I can’t worry about that right now. Right now, I want to focus on Gwen. I want to watch her overcome this. I want to be by her side while she does it.
“You’ve got it,” I whisper in her ear.
She nods but doesn’t say anything. A few moments pass, and she takes off again without me having to ask. This time she’s more confident, and I can see she wants it.
