Page 44 of On Her Terms

I nod, but what would I say to her? Oh yeah, did I forget to mention I’m a duke and I have to go back home to marry? If she did want more with me, that would be a deal breaker and I’d be lucky to leave here with my nuts intact.

We grab three coffees to go, and I turn the subject back to Tate as we walk back to James. “Big day tomorrow,” I say.

The smile that comes over his face squeezes my heart. “I’ve only known Summer for six months, but when you know, you know, right?”

I nod. I’ve known Brianna a lot longer. Well, I didn’t know her know her. I’d seen her around on campus numerous times. It wasn’t until now that I’d gotten a glimpse into the girl who I was always drawn to. But that does take my thoughts back to our initial meeting during dinner, when she pretended not to know me. I’ve been waiting for her to come clean on that, but she hasn’t yet. I can’t quite figure out why. I mean, there’s a possibility that she really doesn’t remember me, but everything in my gut tells me different. There was a flash of familiarity in her eyes when they first met mine, before she quickly blinked it away.

We reach James, and Tate hands over his grandfather’s coffee. “You driving?” he asks, and I nod and climb behind the wheel. For the next few hours we play, and I’m grateful that James hasn’t brought up Brianna or our wedding plans.

After eighteen holes, which took forever under the scorching sun, we grab a bite to eat in the restaurant. Once done I make my way back to the chalet, hoping to find Brianna. I unlock the door and push it open, listening for sounds of movement.

“Hey, you here?” I ask when I enter, but my question is met with silence. I walk through the chalet, which has traces of Brianna all over it. Her clothes are strung everywhere, but I don’t mind it. I like seeing her things in my space.

I’m about to turn my attention to the dishes as I wait for her, but a note on the counter catches my attention. I pick it up and read it. So hot I thought I’d cool down.

My pulse jumps in my chest, and I can’t help but smile as I set the paper down. As my mind races with possibilities, I remove a tie from the closet, shove it into my pocket, and hurry back outside. I lock up and practically run to the path that leads up the mountain, to my favorite, off-the-beaten-path swimming spot. In my hurry I trip over a few tree roots and scare a bunny out from beneath the underbrush.

“Sorry, little guy,” I say, need pulsing through me.

Humming reaches my ears as I approach the small lake, and my cock thickens in my shorts. I stand back from the edge of the pond, take pleasure in the sight of Brianna swimming and humming. I grin, loving this game she’s encouraging me to play with her.

Play we will.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask in a harsh tone.

She gasps at the sound of my voice and sinks into the water, up to her chin. “I could ask the same of you,” she says.

“You’re in my spot.” I glance at her clothes on the ground and bend to pick up her panties.

“I don’t see your name on it,” she says. She feigns anger and points to the slip of lace in my hands. “And put my clothes back.” I spin the panties on my finger for a moment, then shove them into my pocket. “Hey, put those back.”

“You want them, come and get them.”

“I’m naked,” she announces with a lift of her chin, portraying an innocence that turns me on even more.

“You were warned what would happen if I found you in my spot,” I say, playing along. “I told you I wouldn’t be a gentleman next time.”

Her breathing changes and she lifts from the water, just enough to expose her nipples. “I’ll scream,” she announces, her voice deep, sensual.

Heat sparks through me, and my muscles clench. “Go ahead, no one can hear you up here.”

Her wet hair falls forward, falls over her creamy skin, as she takes a slow, measured step toward the embankment. “Turn around and I’ll get out.”

I widen my feet, stand my ground. “No.” That one word and the forcefulness behind it brings lust to her eyes. “You’re invading my space. You don’t get to call the shots.”

She huffs at me, and my gaze goes to her beautiful body as she climbs from the water. “Fine, take your spot then,” she says and tries to walk past me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I ask and spin her back to face me. Heat crawls into her cheeks, letting me know she’s as turned on by this game as I am.

“I—”

Her words fall off as I bend my head, press my lips to hers and back her up until she’s pressed against a smooth rock. I break the kiss and inch back.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asks.

I let my gaze go the length of her, rake down her lush body, which is writhing, beckoning my touch. “Anything I want.” I grip her shoulder, turn her and pull my tie from my pocket. Before I secure her wrists, I put my mouth to her ear.

“Trust me?” I ask.

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