I yanked her closer, her soft curves now pressing against my hard edges. I lifted her and she wrapped her legs around me, grinding her core against my cock. My grip tightened, fingers digging into her skin. I wanted her even closer, and for a moment, I let myself imagine her beneath me. Me sliding inside her and making her mine.
Instead, I slowed the kiss that had grown almost frantic with its eagerness and softened my hold on her until we were trading gentle brushes of lips against lips. I rested my forehead against hers, struggling to keep control over the urge to mark her. She wasn’t ready for that, and I wouldn’t push her.
“We came here to cool down, but I’m hotter now than I was on horseback.” I shot her a wink. “I definitely have no complaints, though.”
Her cheeks flushed pink, and she squirmed in my hold until I lowered her back onto her feet. “No complaints here, either.”
My grin widened. “Happy to hear that.”
We both ducked back under the water before heading back to shore. There was a new awareness between us, but it wasn’t awkward. It easily could have been, but we each accepted the progress in our relationship.
She wrinkled her nose as she picked up her jeans. “I don’t suppose you brought towels? I’m not looking forward to putting on my clothes while I’m still wet.”
“Here, use my T-shirt. I can ride home without it.” I tugged on my pants. It wasn’t the first time I’d gone swimming in the pond without a towel. “I’ll remember next time.”
“You’re so sure there’ll be a next time?” She tried to look serious, but the corner of her mouth twitched. That and her eyes gave away the laughter that she was just barely containing.
“I am.” I leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Maybe next time it’ll be actual skinny-dipping.”
“Hmmm.” She turned to me, her lips a mere whisper from mine. “In your dreams, maybe.”
“Definitely in my dreams.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Hopefully tonight.”
Laughter burst out of her, and she pressed a light kiss against my cheek. “Thanks for today. It was good to have a break from everything.”
“Anytime.”
We mounted our horses and were soon back at the barn. I made quick work of bedding them down, keeping up a running dialogue with Hannah so she wouldn’t leave without me. I didn’t want her walking around alone, just in case. Something I needed to explain to her.
I put the saddles away and took Hannah’s hand, lacing our fingers together. “I hate to ruin the mood, but I need to talk to you about the stove.”
Her dimples disappeared. “I really am sorry about that.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about.” I shook my head. “If anything, we owe you an apology.”
Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Did Chloe tell you about the sabotage that happened months ago?”
She nodded.
“There’s been nothing since those men were caught. We’ve tightened our security and are very careful about who we invite onto the ranch.” I let out a sharp breath. “But someone, we don’t know who, tampered with the oven. That’s why it caught fire.”
Hannah was silent, and I could see her thinking, but she was giving nothing away. My nerves over her reaction to my next words almost had me holding them back, but I needed to see it through to the end. Even if it meant she wanted to leave.
“You should be safe here, but you aren’t. And I’m sorry.”
Her eyes rounded as the implication struck her. “Jonah!”
“He’s fine. He’s with Chloe, Austin, and Gabriel. They’ll keep him safe.” I brushed my thumb over the inside of her wrist. “I won’t let anything else happen to either of you.”
“How can you promise that?” She frowned. “You can’t be there all the time.”
“Yes, I can. But if I can’t, one of my brothers will be there.”
“That’s ridiculous. You all have more important things to do.”
“There’s nothing more important to me than keeping you and Jonah safe.” I cupped her cheek. “I guarantee you Declan will do the same for Chloe.”
