Page 31 of Enticing Her Love

“No.” He spun around. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I—” He fell back in the water and disappeared below the surface.

“Flynn! Flynn!” She ran to get the machete and sprinted toward the water in full panic just as he broke the surface. “What happened? Are you okay? Getoutgetoutgetout!”

He laughed.

“Wha…?” Her panic turned to fury. “You bastard! You almost gave me a heart attack! How could you do that to me?”

“How could I not?” He cracked up and pointed to the machete. “What were you gonna do with that?”

“Whatever I had to! Jesus. I thought something got you.” She waved the machete at him. “I should hack off your trouser snake and use it as bait.”

“Hey. It was a joke, and I happen to be fond of that body part.”

“That was a horrible joke. Do I have to remind you that there are very real threats here?” she said as he trudged out of the water, his excruciatingly hot body glistening in the sun. Water dripped down his pecs and abs, and sweet mother of all things drool-worthy, dark, wet cotton clung to what looked like an anaconda in his boxer briefs.

“Eyes up here, Steele.”

Her eyes flicked to his, embarrassment burning her cheeks. “Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to ignore that thing when it’s practically waving hello?”

He eyed his dick and smirked. “It’s a Braden curse.”

She rolled her eyes.

“But that’s not appropriate boss-employee talk, so we probably shouldn’t go there.” He stepped closer, and her traitorous nipples rose to greet him. “I’m sorry I scared you. How about you put down that weapon?”

She hadn’t realized she was still holding the machete up like she was going to use it. She tossed it onto the rocks, grumbling, “I wish I could make you do the same.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“Ready to take your pants off and get wet?”

More than ever. But she wasn’t about to tell him that. “How is that appropriate boss-employee conversation?”

FLYNN GRITTED HIS teeth. He shouldn’t have phrased it like that, but after last night, everything felt bigger and more intense—his feelings for Sutton, his need to protect her, and his desire to do a hell of a lot more than they’d done—and he was having a hell of a time reining himself in. “We’re here to fish, remember? Fish live in the water, and we’re both going to get wet if we’re going to catch anything.”

She parked a hand on her hip, a challenge glittering in her gorgeous eyes. “You know damn well that’s not what you meant.”

“Do I?” He cocked a brow. “Get those boots off, Steele. Let’s get started.”

He went to get the net out of the pack. When he turned around, she was standing barefoot on the rocks, pulling her shirt off, revealing a sexy pink-and-white bikini top. His jaw tightened as she shook out her hair, and it cascaded over her shoulders. “Of course Glamour Girl brought a bikini.” Shit. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

“Is there something wrong with that?” She shimmied out of her pants.

She was all soft curves and long, lean legs, more beautiful than anyone he’d ever seen, bringing memories of last night, when he’d thought they’d grown infinitely closer. He knew backing off from a physical relationship was smart. Even if it killed him. If anyone found out, he’d probably be the one to get fired, but she’d worked her ass off, and he didn’t want to screw up her professional reputation, either.

Fuck my life.

She was glowering at him as if she was waiting for a response.

“No. I’m sure this river sees plenty of itsy-bitsy, teeny-weenie, pink-and-white checkered bikinis. Get your sandals on.”

She crossed her arms. “You didn’t need yours.”