Page 39 of When the Storm Breaks
She nodded. “Don’t ruin your voice or your health with cigarettes. They’re far too precious.”
“Yeah, I used to have a lot of bad habits. I’m working on becoming a better version of myself.”
She stood up from her seat, holding the baby against her chest and I got to my feet. “I think that’s what we all strive to do. Become the best versions of ourselves.” She put Levi back in his car seat and clipped him in then slung the diaper bag over her shoulder and lifted the seat. “But some days I call it a success when I’ve managed to shower and look halfway presentable.”
I laughed as I followed her to the door and held it open for her. Much like Brody, she refused my offer of help and told me she’s got it. Must run in the family, even though they weren’t related by blood.
“It was great meeting you,” she said after she’d gotten Levi into the back seat and handed him a rubber ring he was gnawing on.
“You too. Thanks for stopping by.”
“Why don’t you take my number? If you need anything... tacos or visits from screaming babies ... give me a call.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket and entered the number she gave me then sent a quick text so she had mine too. I didn’t usually give out my number so readily, but Lila was cool, and she seemed genuine. And even though we barely knew each other, I knew I could trust her.
After she was gone, I thought about the story she’d told me. It wasn’t the craziest story I’d ever heard but it must have made for some interesting family dinners. I wondered if Brody was as cool with it as Lila seemed to be. Had he been in love with her? Was hestillin love with her? That would explain a lot. But if Brody was in love with Lila, she was completely oblivious.
Chapter Eleven
Brody
I wasn’t chasingafter Shiloh. That’s what I kept telling myself as my feet carried me to her door. It was ten o’clock at night. Too late for a social call. Yet here I was standing on her porch, calling her name through the screen door. Inside, the lights were blazing, so I didn’t think she was asleep but after a few minutes of waiting for her to answer, I turned away, resigned to go back home. It was for the best, I told myself. As I walked down the back porch steps, I heard a twig snapping followed by a loud curse. I trained my phone flashlight on the trees. Shiloh was hopping around on one foot.
Chuckling under my breath, I moved closer for a better look. “Having some problems there, Shy?”
I aimed my phone flashlight at her. She spun around to face me and holy shit, she was wearing a black lacy bra and a matching thong, her tits spilling out of the bra, ample cleavage on display.
“My eyes are up here, Cowboy.”
Slowly, my gaze moved up her body, over her taut, toned stomach and to her face. I leaned my shoulder against a cypress tree. “Just enjoying the view.”
“Oh. So you enjoy it now?”
I grinned. “It’ll do. It’ll do just fine.” I pushed off from the tree and moved closer until I was standing right in front of her. She didn’t try to cover up her body or look embarrassed that my eyes were roaming again. “What are you doing out here?”
“I was about to take a swim in the lake.” Her eyes roamed down my body, offering me the same courtesy I paid her and cocked a hip, putting her hand on it. “Care to join me?”
“You don’t have a swimsuit?”
“Nope. Forgot to pack one. But I don’t need one.” She looked over her shoulder at the lake. “You said this is private, right?”
I nodded.
She grinned. “That’s good. Because I’d hate for anyone to catch me swimming naked.”
“You’re going to swim naked?”
“It’s the best way to swim.” She turned her back to me and walked to the water’s edge. Unclasping her bra with one hand, she slid it down one arm before removing it and dropping it to the ground. Then she hooked her fingers on the sides of her thong and slid it down over her thighs and calves. She lifted one foot and stepped out of them then kicked it off the other, the black lacy thong landing next to her bra.
Not gonna lie. Her naked body was fucking perfect. She looked at me over her shoulder, laughter on her lips before she faced forward and waded right the fuck into the water, gingerly stepping over the loose gravel and rocks at the bottom. Guess I should have mentioned there was a dock not far from here that would have made it a hell of a lot easier to get in. But nah, I kept my mouth shut, enjoying the view and her struggle. When the water reached mid-thigh, she dove all the way in as if the lake was bathwater warm.
Well, fuck. I couldn’t just let her swim on her own now, could I?
Grabbing the lone towel and gathering up her clothes from the ground, I carried them to the dock hidden in the trees and turned on the portable camping lanterns I’d set up for Walt. He used to swim in this lake every night, regardless of the season, and claimed it was the fountain of youth. I toed off my high-tops, stripped naked and dove in.
Fuck. It was cold. Pretty sure my dick had shriveled to the size of a walnut.
Now where the hell was she?
I spun in a slow circle, searching for her in the light of the moon. I heard a splash followed by laughter. “Catch me if you can.” Her voice echoed across the lake.
