A nervous laugh escaped Krista’s lips, wondering just how far they were going to take the whole “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours” game.
Krista’s smile deepened, thumbs already moving.
Don’t make me wait.
The typing bubbles appeared…disappeared…then came back.
Her pulse jumped.
When the image loaded, she instantly smiled.
It wasn’t explicit—just a glimpse. His hand rested low on his stomach, the sharp cut of his abs visible above the waistband of soft gray flannel pajama pants. The light was low, shadowed, but it was enough. Her skin flushed hot all over.
She swallowed hard, biting her lip. Oh, this was dangerous.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, torn between teasing and surrendering completely.
Is that what you plan on wearing tomorrow?
That depends. Do you have a thing for flannel?
No, but I have a thing for what’s under that flannel, Krista thought. She imagined herself sliding his pajama pants down and straddling him, skin to skin in his tent. She clenched her thighs, thinking of how good it would feel to ride him, tilting her head back, his hands on her waist. Nothing but the wilderness around them, while she came undone on top of him. Just the thought of him filling her made her ache all over.
I take that as a yes?
The second message snapped Krista out of the fantasy.
Might be kinda hard to swim in that.
He replied an instant later.
Don’t worry. I’ll take them off.
Her pulse jumped again. Enjoying the game, she quickly typed back.
Get some sleep, cowboy. You’re going to need your energy.
He replied almost instantly.
Except you’ve got me wide awake.
Krista smiled, setting her phone aside. For a long moment she just lay there, the blue of the screen fading from her eyes, her pulse still racing.
She loved that he was just as thrown off balance as she was. Whatever tomorrow brought, she knew it would change something between them—and she couldn’t wait to find out how.
TEN
JOE
Thursday, One Day Before the Summer Swap
When Joe arrived at the Hideaway early the next morning, Krista was already there.
The lake was still waking up. Early kayakers cut through the mist, but beyond them, the water held a hush, private and intimate. And there, framed in golden morning light through the open doors, was Krista—leaning against the counter, hair loose, sun catching every strand, iced latte in one hand, her phone in the other. She looked like she belonged to the light itself.
Joe swallowed, pulse hitching. Last night had been electric—the kiss, the teasing texts afterward. But he needed to be careful. Flirt, yes. Enjoy the Summer Swap challenge, yes. But get attached? No. That was off-limits.
He wasn’t looking for anything long-term. The last time he’d tried that, it had ended in guilt. It wasn’t his ex’s fault; he was always away traveling; his work came first.
