“If we’re alone, I want it all.”
Jude’s mouth was like a magnet on my nipple, biting the rigid peak before sucking it into his mouth and slowly dragging it out. I vaguely registered something swim between my toes and didn’t even flinch. I was ready to strip naked and let him put his mouth and hands wherever he wanted.
He hooked his thumb into my other strap and pulled it down to my shoulder until I fell out of the rest of it. I was topless in a private part of a still public lake, but my head swam with too much need to care about decency.
That was one way to make an impression in my new town.
We broke apart at the sound of a motor in the distance.
We craned our necks to see a small motorboat behind us, too close for comfort but far enough away to not make out the faces of the group on board as they headed farther out and stopped.
“No one ever comes here after six a.m. in the summer,” Jude said as he dropped his head back with a groan.
“Well, you can say we’re investigating something. Going undercover?” I grinned as I adjusted the straps on my bikini. “We could dry off for a little until they leave.”
Jude’s shoulders fell as he nodded, drifting us back toward the shallow end.
“Could you carry me out?” I asked, jutting my lip out. “Please.”
“That afraid of fish?” he asked with a chuckle as he lifted my legs and brought me to his chest.
“No, my legs are a little wobbly. And I like being pressed up against you. A lot.”
His laugh vibrated against my cheek.
“You don’t have to twist my arm. I’m not complaining at all.”
He set me down on the blanket and reached for a towel.
“What?” he asked when he caught me staring.
“I’m trying to decide what’s hotter. You dripping wet or running a towel all over your body to dry off.” I leaned back, resting on my elbows. “So far, not sure.”
He dragged his gaze down my body, the feeling of his eyes roving over me like a naughty caress. My breaths were short and quick as I pressed my elbows into the lumps of sand under the blanket to stop the quivering.
“Sorry about that,” he said, nodding at the mystery boat, and plopped next to me, holding out his towel. “Did you bring a towel?”
“Yes, but I like to just air-dry. And don’t be sorry.” I scratched my nails along the bristles of stubble on his chin. “The only thing I’m sorry about is that I had to stop kissing you.”
“Same,” he said, low and husky, as he slid his hand down my damp thigh. Now that I was out of the water and already halfway dry thanks to the stifling heat of the day, I was soaked in other places.
“I think I know that boat. They’ll only be here for an hour or so, especially since it’s this hot. I doubt they could see us, and although it’s restricted, it’s not that unusual to see people over here. It’s one of those rules that people mostly follow, but we don’t crack down too much if we stumble upon anyone here.”
“I’m surprised we’re here, knowing how much of a stickler you are for rules, Sergeant Davis.” My words came out like a purr, most likely because the urge to rub my body all over his was more blinding than the scorching rays of the sun.
He grabbed my hand and kissed the tip of my finger before he sucked it into his mouth, inching it out with his eyes on mine just like he had with my nipple moments ago, and it triggered the same effect down the lower half of my body.
“I’m breaking a lot of rules for you, Ms. Ng. And I can’t seem to help myself.”
“I can’t help myself with you either. But I never could.” I lifted a shoulder. “Something about you wouldn’t let me leave you alone.”
“I’m glad that my stupidity at first didn’t ruin that.” He tilted his head, a light chuckle jerking his shoulders as his still-swollen lips curved with a sad smile.
“You weren’t stupid. And after all you’ve told me, I get it.”
I scooted over on the blanket and leaned my back against his chest.
“Plus, you proved me right.”
