Jared and I have played the dare game on and off through the years. Often, we did it to help the other get through a tough time. Or a confusing time. Really, anytime we wanted something but were hesitating.
J, I dare you to apply for a hockey scholarship to your reach college. The one Max will get into but you’re not sure you can.
Ash, I dare you to interview for the job you may not be qualified for on paper, but you know you could pull it off better than anyone else.
“I dare you to go swimming with me in the pond outside our cabin.”
I narrow my eyes. “When?”
“As soon as we get home tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because.” His eyes flare with heat before he blinks it away. “You love the water. You always have.”
True. But that look from him? That wasn’t about swimming. That was so hot I could fan myself right now.
It was seriously enough to set me on fire. And more than enough to let me know what’s on his mind.
“Tonight?” Goodness, that came out squeaky. “Why tonight?”
His eyes darken, and my stomach flips over.He’s flirting with me. For sure.
“Because I want to celebrate our first win of the year and you moving to Montana. It’s a full moon tonight, and it’s unseasonably warm.”
It is warm. Hot, in fact. I’m freaking on fire.
“You’re on. Let’s go home.” I stand up with shaky legs and follow him down the hall and out of the arena to his truck.
As I climb into the shotgun seat, the feeling hits me that, after tonight, nothing will be the same again.
CHAPTERTWENTY
Because I was moving to Montana and didn’t think swimming would be high on the list of activities, the only swimsuit I packed is a string bikini, which is far skimpier than I’d prefer. Oh, well. C’est la vie. You only live once, right? Having Jared see me in a skimpy bathing suit while living together probably isn’t on the list of smartest things I could do tonight. But that’s kind of been the theme since I landed in Montana.
* * *
“It’s chillier than I thought it was.” I wrap my towel tighter around my waist and pull the hood of my sweatshirt over my head.
Jared throws his arm across my shoulders and hugs me into his side. “I’ll warm you up.”
New Orleans Ashley would crack a bad joke and slide out from under his muscled arm.
But Montana Ashley clearly has less willpower because I let Jared’s arm stay where it is around my shoulders, and I enjoy the closeness.
My body certainly approves. My stomach is in excited knots the entire walk to the pond.
When we reach the dock, Jared immediately pulls his shirt over his head in one smooth motion and, without hesitation, dives into the water.
Crap.
Now I have to join him, or he’ll call me chicken. I let my towel drop to the wooden boards of the dock and dip one toe in the water.
“It’s cold!” I shout.
Jared’s head is bobbing above the water, and in the light of the full moon, I can see him clearly. “It’s not bad,” he calls back.
“Liar.” I laugh and pull my sweatshirt over my head before I jump off the dock.
