Page 122 of Vicious Temptation

“A girl can never be too sure. Besides,” I say, sitting at the edge of the pier and slowly dipping my feet into the cool water, “I need these toes to drive. And to put a boot to your neck when you get out of line.”

“Fair point.”

I splash water at him with my foot. “Never get too comfortable, Braga.”

He crouches beside me, resting his forearms on his knees as he watches the ripples spread across the lake.

“I wasn’t worried. You’ve threatened to kill me once or twice since we met. I’d be concerned if you stopped.”

“Just once or twice?”

His mouth twitches. “I may have lost count.”

For a few moments, neither of us says a word as the water laps gently against the posts beneath the dock. Somewhere in the distance, a frog croaks, followed by another. The sounds blend with the rustling trees and the occasional chirps of insects.

It’s dangerously peaceful.

“Thanks for this, by the way,” I say, gesturing around us. “I needed it. Needed to get out of my own head for a while.”

The teasing leaves his face, and his eyes warm as they meet mine. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”

“Maybe I do.”

He holds my gaze for a few seconds before looking back out at the water. “Anytime, Remi.”

I dip my head, trying to hide the corny smile pulling at my lips. “And you’re not as bad as I thought you’d be...for a pig.”

I’m starting to really like the sound of his laughter. He’s quite the sight, as big as he is, balancing in a crouch just to stay level with me.

“You got holes in your socks or something? The water feels great.”

“Nah. I just prefer my toes dry and not eaten by freshwater crocs.”

Panic shoots through me, and I yank my feet out of the water before I catch the grin on his face.

The asshole.

He laughs harder, and I roll my eyes.

“Ha ha. Very funny.”

My fingers fist around the collar of his shirt, and I tug him closer.

“But now I’m not sure which is the lie. I’m going to need a real-life test.”

His gaze drops to my hand gripping his shirt, and realization flashes across his face a second too late. With gravity on my side, I use his unstable position to my advantage and shove him straight into the lake. The splash of his massive body echoes across the water.

I quickly pull my feet back and grip the edge of the dock, peering over the side as I wait for him to resurface, completely pissed off. I know how to handle an angry Thiago. This softer version of him is becoming a problem I have no fucking clue what to do with.

Expecting him to pop up any second, I scan the dark water. When he doesn’t, my smile fades. Another few seconds pass, and my nails dig into the wood as my heart pounds.

“Thiago?” I lean farther over the edge, trying to see through the murky water, but there’s no sign of him.

Oh, fuck. What if he can’t swim?

I never even asked. I just assumed a man built like a fucking linebacker wouldn’t sink straight to the bottom of a lake.

“Thiago, this isn’t funny.”