“We can rest there,” he said, heading toward it.
“It looks like it’s about to fall down.”
“Good, then nobody should come snooping around.”
“Just as long as it doesn’t fall on our heads,” she grumbled.
Before they reached the ramshackle structure, Xander paused and grinned. “Oh, hell yeah.” Pivoting away from the old shed, he tilted his head and gave her wicked smile. “C’mon.”
She was about to ask where he was going when she spotted the river through the trees. They walked to its bank, and she wondered if it was part of the Balsas River system. Leaning down, she skimmed a hand over the surface. So cool and inviting.
“If you’re shy, now would be the time to look away.”
No words could’ve snagged her attention faster or more completely. Xander whipped his shirt off, and she didn’t mean to stare, but there was just so much to look at. From his sculpted chest with a light smattering of hair to his broad shoulders. Despite more than thirty days neglected underground, he looked like he could take on another half dozen of her brother’s men. Her attention slid down to his flat abs, and then he turned, showing off a smooth back and—
He dropped his cargo pants. With zero warning. Just shucked and chucked them aside.
Essie sucked in a sharp breath and spun around. But not before she noticed the sexy indents above his black boxer briefs.Oh, my.Yummy little grooves that made her bite down on her lip. Fanning her face with a hand, she tried not to think about his very firm ass or the slight sound of him ditching his underwear. She swallowed hard, beyond tempted to take a peek at the man in all his naked glory.
Before she could make the decision of whether to face him or not, she heard a splash followed by a long, low, very satisfied groan. “You have no idea how good this feels,” he moaned. “And it’s safe to turn back around.”
Was he also a mind reader?
Pulling in a steadying breath, making sure her expression was carefully blank, she slowly turned to face the river. The water came up to his chest, covering most of his body.Thank goodness.At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. The water was too murky to see beneath the surface, so his most tantalizing parts remained hidden from view. And that was definitely for the best. She didn’t need to see his… assets. Nope, not at all. A very bad idea.
“Are you gonna join me?”
She tilted her head, debating over his invitation. As tempting as it sounded, she was not about to take her clothes off while he watched. He must’ve known, too, because she saw his lips twitching all the way from the river’s edge.
“I’m fine.” She tried to sound nonchalant but failed miserably.
“How about if I promise not to look?” he offered, but she shook her head and held her ground. “Suit yourself, but you’re missing out.” He dove beneath the surface then popped back up a few moments later, giving his head a shake then sliding his fingers through his wet hair and slicking it back.
Stepping closer to the water’s edge, she hesitated again. She really would love to go in for a dip, but was it safe? Proper? The grime and heat covering her skin made her reconsider.Screw it.
“I changed my mind. Turn around,” she ordered, twisting her hair up and knotting it on top of her head. “And pretend to be a gentleman.”
He chuckled, turned and swam further out. With fast, jerky movements, Essie kicked off her boots then removed her shirt and jeans. She was keeping her bra and panties on, though. They wouldn’t provide much, if any coverage, when wet, but…Oh, well.Xander Hawke would not be getting a peep show. Well, not a proper one, anyway.
Stepping into the cool water, she let out a squeak as she hurried deeper. When it reached just below her shoulders, sheclosed her eyes and dropped her head back. It felt so refreshing, and she let out a soft sigh.
“Permission to approach?” Xander asked, tone deep and teasing.
Essie let out a little laugh, straightening up. “Permission granted.”
He swam up to her. “I don’t suppose you have any soap hidden in that backpack of yours?”
She shook her head. “No, sorry. I wasn’t expecting to take a bath in the river. You’re lucky I had a toothbrush.”
“Thatwasa nice surprise.”
She didn’t miss the way his gaze dropped, focusing on where the water lapped against the tops of her breasts. A quick glance down confirmed the white satin bra wasn’t concealing all that much. Looking over at him, she became acutely aware of his nakedness. Not because she actually saw anything, but because the sexual tension between them suddenly skyrocketed. The water, which had just felt so cool, now seemed warmer and heavy with a sultriness that had her squeezing her thighs together.
When she cleared her throat, his gaze snapped back up. A lusty awareness swirled in his dark blue irises, and something hot and needy passed between them.
“We shouldn’t be in the open like this,” he finally said, so husky, it made her toes curl into the sandy bottom. “I’ll get out first.”
“Okay.”
