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Then he laughs.

The bastard.

He has no right to be that attractive while laughing at me.

“Christ. You have no idea what you're starting.”

I fold my arms.

“I have a fairly good idea. That's why I'm standing here.”

His gaze sweeps over me, then returns to my face.

“Come here.”

Oh.

That's considerably more effective than it should be.

I take a step toward him, then stop.

Because suddenly I'm about to be naked in front of a man.

An actual man.

A very large, very experienced man who has apparently made it his personal mission to scramble every sensible thought in my head.

Torch notices my hesitation.

“Madison?”

“I'm thinking.”

“Dangerous habit.”

“Keep making jokes and I'll charge you for the water you're wasting.”

His smile widens.

“There's no rush, sweetheart.”

And somehow, that makes me want him more.

He isn't laughing at my nerves. He isn't pushing.

He's standing there looking entirely too good, letting me decide.

Well.

Nobody can accuse him of not giving me an opportunity to reconsider.

I pull my T-shirt over my head.

His smile disappears.

Oh, I like that.

I slip out of my shorts.