Page 123 of Vicious Temptation

The lake remains still.

“Thiago!”

The word barely leaves my mouth when he erupts from the water. His hands close around my shoulders, and I shriek as he yanks me off the dock.

The cold swallows me whole, stealing my breath before I kick toward the surface. When I break through, sputtering and gasping, Thiago is right in front of me, soaked and laughing so hard I’m surprised he can stay afloat.

“You asshole!” I shout, shoving water at his chest.

“You should’ve seen your face.”

“I thought you drowned!”

His smile only widens. “Good.”

I splash him again, sending a wave straight into his face. The bastard laughs harder, grabs my shirt, and pulls me flush against his chest. His feet are planted firmly on the lake floor, but mine can’t reach the bottom, so I wrap my legs around him and loop my arms behind his neck.

“You were worried about me.”

“Yeah. I just got arrested. You think I want another charge hanging over my head?” I tighten my hold on him. “That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Sure, fera.”

“What is it with you and that nickname?”

He brushes the tip of his nose against mine, droplets sliding between us.

“It suits you. Especially after you tried to drown me.”

“It’s not my fault you’re so damn big you sink like a brick.”

Our mouths graze, our breaths tangling together.

“Now I’m going to have to keep my phone in rice for a week.”

He catches a trickle from the corner of my lips with his tongue, and my nails rake lightly against his nape.

“Stop being a cheap bastard,” I murmur. “And upgrade to the waterproof version.”

“Says the trust fund baby.”

I burst out laughing, tipping my head back as he carries us toward the ramp. As I start to unwrap myself from him, he squeezes my thigh, shakes his head and smoothly tosses me over his shoulder.

“Thiago...”

With one hand on the dock and a small leap, he climbs out of the water. His grip on me never wavers as he bends to snatch up my boots with effortless ease.

Goddamn.

If I wasn’t already soaked, that little display of strength might have done the job.

Are you that easily impressed, Remi?

By him? Absolutely.

We reach his truck, and he pops open the tailgate before setting me down. My boots hit the ground, and when he turns away, I catch the front of his wet shirt and tug him back between my legs.

“This is the second time I’m completely dripping wet in your truck.” I press a kiss to his jaw.