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They jumped together. Holding hands. It was a quick drop that took an immeasurable time. Jacey felt her stomach lift and a happy cry escape her lips. Her trust in Cade was as firm as his grip on her hand.
The cold water stung her feet and encompassed her entire body as they plunged down. She instinctively kicked for the surface and felt Cade’s hand tugging her up as well. They changed trajectories and her head broke free of the icy liquid, flinging water everywhere.
She pulled in a breath and screamed, “Cold!” Then she laughed. Her limbs were so cold they were instantly numb, and it was hard to command them to move. She yanked her hand free and beat at the water with her arms and legs, easily staying afloat. She shouldn’t have pulled from Cade’s grip, should’ve pretended she couldn’t swim and let him hold her, but it was instinctive to tread water. Though she’d been far too vulnerable and needy with Cade, it was against all instinct to play the damsel in distress.
Cade laughed with her or maybe at her as she swam fast strokes while keeping her head above water toward the nearby grassy edge. Launching herself out of the water, she shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “Incredibly and undeniably freezing!”
Cade swam to the edge and used his arms to pop himself onto the grassy edge. The cold pinpricks stinging her skin were forgotten as she stared at his lean and impressively muscled upper body.
“One and done?” he asked, grinning at her.
She knew if he’d let down his guard and kiss her, it would be nowhere close to ‘one and done.’ She’d kiss him and kiss him and kiss him.
“Sweetheart?” he asked, his grin sliding as concern filled his green eyes. “Do I need to get you back to the house?”
“Not a chance,” she fired back. “We are jumping again. The highest ledge you can boast this time.”
“Really?” His grin was restored. “You decided you like heights and water?”
“Yes to both.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the rocks.
She liked him. He’d shown he liked her as well, but he’d been very clear that she shouldn’t ask him to kiss her.
At least they could laugh, work, and play together.
They jumped three more times and then Cade insisted they head home as it was getting dark. Though he had the phone and a rifle in the Ranger, he didn’t want to risk her safety.
She knew he didn’t, and she appreciated it but loathed the fun being over. He checked the cameras and sensors before they headed back. As they drove, she replayed the excitement and thrill of the jump and the shock of the cold water.
“You’d think it would get better each time,” she exclaimed, “but no, bitter cold, every single time. My skin went instantly numb and I couldn’t even catch a breath.”
“You could still somehow shriek, ‘Cold!’” he teased her.
She shoved at his shoulder.
He grinned as he pulled into the garage.
“So worth it.” She clapped her hands together, her fingers and toes chilled clear through. “Thank you, Cade. That was the most thrilling adventure I have ever been on!”
He shut off the Ranger, pushed the button to close the garage and turned to look at her. “My pleasure, sweetheart.”
She couldn’t hide her happy grin. He’d lean across the console, their lips would meet, and ‘thrilling adventure’ would not be sufficient to describe their first kiss.
“Only adventure you remember, though,” he teased. Then he jumped out and hurried around, opening her door. He was a gentleman through and through. That felt familiar to her, maybe because she’d stayed with the Colevilles or maybe because the men in her former life had the appearance of gentlemen, even if their deeds were dark underneath.
“I am certain it was the best.”
He only laughed. He had her wait while he checked the cameras and then searched the garage, in and under his truck and tool bench. Then he escorted her into the laundry room, dead bolted the door into the garage and checked the bathroom and main room. He escorted her upstairs, scanned the master suite and then held the door for her.
“Thank you again for the thrilling adventure.” She clutched her cold hands together. “Can we repeat the experience tomorrow?”
“I’m sure we can. After we’re hot and dusty from afternoon chores, we’ll strip down and jump in.”
Her heart raced.
“You can wear your swimsuit under your chore clothes,” he hastened to add.
“And you’ll leap in wearing your jeans, cowboy?” she teased.
