I could tell Dakota was making Brad feel jealous back up on the cliff, and if I had to push him a bit in order for him to admit it, then I was going to. Except, he completely called my bluff and actually left.
I admit it. I was worried. I didn’t enjoy seeing him swimming off, and I most certainly didn’t enjoy not finding him back at the campsite and waiting for him to get back. Scary things flashed through my mind. And yes, killer Jason getting him was on the list of my fears.
I needed to go after him. Needed to make sure he was okay. I mean, he’d do the same for me, right? I saw the way he jumped off the cliff to chase after me. Even when he was scared. Even when he insisted that it was a dumb thing to do. He still jumped and I don’t take that lightly.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Brad laughs, nudging me with his leg.
I’ve been mindlessly rubbing his legs on my lap as he lays back in his chair. I’m sure he was sore after that long walk, and thinking about him all tense was making me anxious.
“I shut up sometimes.” I smirk.
Brad scoffs. “Rarely. If you’re not saying something mean, you’re usually saying something inappropriate. Something must be really gnawing at you.”
I squeeze his calf, amused by the slight hiss that slips from his lips. He’s the one that’s insistent on talking, by the sounds of it.
“Why’d you come back?” He finally brings it up.
I look at his eyes and then back at his leg, passing my hand back and forth slowly. Feeling the light hairs brush against my fingers, his strong muscles flex softly against me.
“I wasn’t interested,” I say simply. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.
I lift my gaze back up at him to judge how that makes him feel. I see him swallow deeply, his Adams apple dipping low. His jaw tenses like he’s unsettled.
I slide my hand higher up his leg. “That answer work for you?”
He stops me abruptly, grabbing my wrist. “I wouldn’t have cared if you stayed.”
This makes me laugh. A deep, belly laugh that knocks my head back. “You’re so fucking in denial, it’s honestly hilarious, at this point.”
“Noah,” he says lowly, like I should be afraid of what’s to come next. But no, I’m not afraid.
“You werejealous. I saw it all over your face and you’re still trying to deny it.” I shake my head, not being able to hold back my wide grin any more. Brad takes his legs off my lap in an angry grunt and storms over to the fire pit, taking the big bottle of water with him.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not denying anything,” he says roughly, pouring the water over the fire and stifling it down to little embers.
I stand up. “You’re with my mom.”
Hisshoulders drop, like he’s tired of hearing this fact. Well, I’m tired of it too.
“I’m with your mom,” he repeats firmly.
“Andyou’re attracted to me. Two things can be true.” I step closer.
He takes a step back. “Don’t—”
I continue, “You like touching me…and kissing me,” I crowd his space, getting closer and closer. “And I make you come harder than you’ve ever before.”
He clenches his jaw tightly, his gaze flicking from my eyes to my mouth.
“You going to deny that too?” I huff. “Just admit it, old man. You want me just as badly as I want you. It’s wrong. It’s dirty. But it’s the truth.” I shrug. “Live in yourfuckingtruth. Own it—”
Before I can finish, his lips slam into mine. Harsh. Fast. And painful. I feel the need flowing through him and it’s finally boiling over.
He pushes me back by my hips until we get to the tent, taking a moment to palm me from outside of my shorts.
“Get in,” he says harshly, unzipping the tent and climbing inside.
I narrow my eyes at him as he looks up at me, waiting for me to follow. Like I’m just that easy. It’s dark out here but the moon reflects on his face enough that I can see the hunger behind his gaze.
