But my heart is standing there with a giant foam finger, screaming “Too Late, Loser.”
Harris nudges my cheek with his. “I can see it, you know.”
I blink. “See what?”
“That you love me.” His grin softens into something vulnerable. “You’re trying to logic your way out of it, and it’s adorable.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off.
“It’s okay,” he says happily. “I wasn’t expecting it either. But here we are. Floating in my pool, still covered in poison ivy, with a bruised rib from your trellis—and I’ve never been more happy.”
I exhale, laughing and sniffling at the same time. “Why are you like this?”
“Like what?” He blinks at me innocently.
“So . . . infuriating.” UGH!
“Why can’t you say the words?”
My throat tightens, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. I press my palm against his heart, feeling it beat strong and steady beneath my hand.
“I love you,” I whisper.
He lets out a long breath and holds me tighter, kissing the top of my head. “I knew it.”
“Shut up.”
“Oh my God.” He laughs, tipping me back in his arms so he can look down at me. “You aresoobsessed with me.”
Before I can retort, he suddenly drops me—lets me go—and I splash beneath the water with a shriek. When I surface, sputtering and pushing wet hair out of my face, he’s already climbing onto one of the giant inflatable donut tubes.
He grins down at me like a kid who found the cookie jar. “Race you. Donut to donut.”
I’m not in the mood to race him. I have better ideas.
Reaching around my back, my fingers find the hook of my bikini top and unclasp it, letting the straps hang.
Harris bobs on his donut tube, perched on top of it like a pirate, watching me like I’m a stick of dynamite with a lit fuse. “Why the hell would you do that?” he asks, affronted. “That’s cheating.”
I shrug. “You wanted a race. I’m leveling the playing field.”
One of my straps falls.
Harris freezes. His donut tilts dangerously as he leans forward. “You’re bluffing.”
Am I, though?
I tug the top free and twirl it around one finger before tossing it to the pool deck with a casual flick. Off it goes ...
He blinks.
I grin.
“Game over,” he mutters, sliding off his donut and swimming toward me like a shark on a mission.
I squeal, trying to backpedal—but he’s faster. Strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me flush against him in the water.
“You’re evil,” he murmurs into my ear, kissing me. Hands splaying up my backside, along my spine.
