Page 34 of Follow Me Down

“Okay, okay,” he concedes, slowly turning back toward the dock.

I refuse to let go of him, and given how limited his movements are with me latched onto him, it’s a good two or three minutes before he’s hoisting me back up onto the dock.

I’m both relieved and disappointed.

I’m still trying to unstick my wet dress from my legs when Titus climbs onto the dock in front of me. I’m suddenly aware of just how much you can see through the thin pink material and instantly move to cover myself.

“Sorry about that.” He gestures to my wet clothing. “It will probably dry pretty fast if you take it off and lay it in the sun.”

“Take it off?” I balk.

“It’s not like you have anything I haven’t seen before.” He takes a seat, dangling his legs over the edge of the dock.

“And that’s supposed to make me feel okay about taking my clothes off in front of a complete stranger?” I fire back.

He looks back at me, his brow arched. “Pretty sure you’ve slept in my bed the last two nights and have showered in my bathroom. I think we’re past the complete strangers bit.”

“And so what, I’m just supposed to get naked in front of you and be completely comfortable doing so?”

“You have a bra and panties on, do you not?”

I look down as if I need to confirm, even though I know I do.

“Yes.”

“No different than a bikini.” He shrugs, turning his gaze back out to the water.

I consider his words. He’s right. Though given the light material of my underwear, I wouldn’t be surprised if you could see through them as well. While he’s not looking, I hesitantly lift my dress, surprised by how little you can see through the lacy material.

Considering my options, I decide that sitting in my underwear is probably better than having to wear this wet dress all the way back to the cabin.

Hesitantly peeling the material the rest of the way from my body, I lay it out across the dock and move to take the spot next to Titus, surprised when his eyes don’t leave the water.

I try to ignore how it makes me feel that he doesn’t even attempt to look at me.

“So, how did you find this place?” I ask after several beats of silence have passed between us.

“My grandfather used to bring me fishing here when I was younger. I guess you could say it kind of became my spot.”

“I can see why,” I admit, taking in the peaceful serenity. “Well, other than the creepy water,” I tack on when his gaze swings to mine.

“Creepy water?” He laughs, his shoulders shaking under the action.

“Come on.” I gesture in front of me. “You have to admit it looks like the kind of pond where a man-eating underwater creature would hang out.”

“A man-eating underwater creature?” he questions, humor lacing his handsome face.

“Oh my god. Have you never seenRiver Monstersbefore?”

“River what?”

“River Monsters.”

“Wait, is that the show where he travels around the world hunting for different types of fish?”

“Yes!” I respond a little too enthusiastically. “Have you seen some of the creatures he’s found? This,” I point to the pond. “this is exactly the type of place where one of those long-toothed demons would be hiding.”

“Long-toothed demons,” he repeats, his voice shaking slightly as he tries to hold in his laughter. “You know what I think.” He drags his toe over the top of the water. “I think you watch too much television.”

---