Page 16 of Hard to Hold

I immediately hate him for it.

But it’s more than his incredible body, crooked smile, and undeniable presence—so much more—that has me standing here fumbling for words when words are typically my strong suit. Every single thing about him captivates every single thing within me.

And that’s even after knowing what he’s rumored to be capable of.

Something’s definitely wrong with you, Lenn.

And to think I swore off men.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I say with a shake of my head as if I’m trying to break the spell he seems to have on me. My eyes dart down to where they shouldn’t, curious about the tattoos, among other things, that highlight his body, before meeting his eyes again. “I was hot. I thought I was alone. I wanted to take a swim. All three are well within my rights.”

“What a coincidence. I was sore from my workout. I wanted to use the sauna. I thought I was alone. Funny how that works.”

“Hence you being naked.”

“Yes. Hence.” He takes a few steps forward, completely unabashed over his nudity, and why should he be when he looks like that—a Greek god plus tattoos. He reaches down and scratches his lower abdomen, drawing my eyes to track where that wicked V trims at the waist before coming to the thickness of his cock resting against the defined muscles of his quads.

“Don’t you want to put some clothes on?” I ask and motion to the chair where I can now see his towel is, pretending like the sight before me doesn’t affect me, when how can it not?

“Why, darling? It seems you’re quite enjoying the view. Why would I want to deprive you of it?”

“Seriously?” I ask with a partial chuckle that in no way reflects the fact that what he says is true.

Rush McKenzie is definitely easy on the eyes in more ways than one. He’s sparking my libido to life without even trying.

But I refuse to give him the satisfaction of looking again—especially after the last comment he made. So instead we stand under the gorgeous California sun staring at each other.

There’s wicked lechery in his expression, while mine has a heavy dose of disbelief.

And desire.

Because I’d be lying if I said my mind didn’t wander off and have a dirty little fantasy beginning with all the lines my tongue would like to trace over those defined abs and beyond.

Just when I swore off men, one worth breaking the promise to myself comes waltzing right in—and naked at that.

I can’t make this shit up.

And after one long, glorious look at Rush, I don’t think I want to.

CHAPTER FIVE

RUSH

INTERESTING.

Devastatingly gorgeous when I’ve only seen her from the shoulders up and yet, she’s so very interesting, staring at me from where she stands in the pool.

From where she hasn’t backed down when most women would have given that annoying giggle and jiggle of tits so I could see what’s being offered up.

But not her.

Not this woman, with her sapphire-blue eyes that have no shame in staring.

“So you broke into a house that isn’t even mine and won my attention. Now what do you plan on doing with me in the short time between me ringing the police and them showing up?” I ask, knowing a lot can be done in that short amount of time. From past experience.

But her coughed-out laugh and raised eyebrows tell me this isn’t the usual fangirl encounter. She’s too calm, too unfazed.

All hints of the person who moments ago ran out of the house to do a cannonball without a care is gone, and has been replaced with the curious, calculated woman standing before me.