I watch his muscles ripple as he tosses his shirt aside. He stretches his arms, and my eyes trace the hard, defined planes of his back.
“Are you getting in, or is it uncool to go swimming?” he laughs, already wading into the water. He turns back toward me, then dunks his head under.
When he resurfaces, he slicks his hair back, water trailing down his face and over his chiseled chest.
I lick my suddenly dry lips, and look away.
Itisreally hot out here. The sun is at its peak, and the water looks refreshing.
Slipping off my shoes and socks, I take my shirt off, exposing my own body.
I’m no Hercules, but I’d say I have a pretty fit body. Not that I care what he thinks.
I just…
Mygaze flicks up, colliding with his. He hasn’t looked away once. He treads water silently, eyes locked on me as I make my way to the water’s edge.
“Get in,” he says at last, cutting through the silence.
“Don’t tell me what to do,” I answer. I poke my toes into the water, feeling the coolness rush through my body, immediately cooling me down.
Slipping in, I take my time acclimating my body to the water's temperature.
“There you go,” Brad smiles, floating onto his back. “See how good it feels when you listen?”
My stomach swoops at his choice of words. Okay, I’m going to have to correct whateverthat is.
I don’t want him to start thinking he’s the boss here. We’ve played by his rules this far.
Well, it’s my turn.
With only the soft babble of water crashing over the rocks, I swim closer to him. Quietly. Stealthy as a baby otter.
Before he can react, I plant my hands on his shoulders and shove him under the surface.
Laughing, I watch as he comes back up, sputtering and coughing out water, trying to catch his breath.
“You little shit,” he coughs.
“Now,thatfeels good.” I laugh.
All at once, a cold wave hits my face.
I gasp. “Hey!”
“You wanna play? Fine, we’ll play.” He splashes me again, and I cough. “You’re not Veronica’s kid out here. You’re just some little punk who needs a lesson.” Another splash knocks me back harder this time.
Woah. Okay, he was holding that one in.
And… damn. It thrills me. Nothing but excitement and curiosity courses through my veins, seeing this side of him. No moreMr. Nice Guy.
I push him back and he makes no hesitation but to throw me over his shoulder and dunk me into the water.
Back and forth, we tussle for what seems like forever.
It’s honestly…fun, and unfortunately, a few laughs slip out of my mouth as we continue pushing each other's buttons.
Eventually, we’re both out of breath, crawling to the water’s edge for a break.
