Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“You don’t need one.”
We passed the turn-off to the lake, and I glanced over at him. “Are you kidnapping me?”
His lips tipped up. “Yes.”
I gave up trying to figure out our destination, closing my eyes a moment and letting the hot, gusty wind blow the straggling hair from my ponytail off my face. It felt so good to not be the adult in charge. I surrendered to the feeling, my heels on the dash, a smile on my face.
When the truck slowed, I opened my eyes and sat up taller.
“What’s this?” I asked when he turned off the road into a driveway blocked by a metal gate and a sign that said PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Beckett didn’t answer. He jumped out, opened the gate, and a minute later, it was closed again behind us and we were bumping along down a dirt path that wound through the trees and curved along the hills.
“I hate when you don’t answer my questions!” I slapped playfully at his arm.
He laughed as we pulled into a clearing. “I know.”
“Oh my goodness. This is so beautiful!” Ahead, I saw a massive pond, sunlight shimmering on its surface. A wooden dock jutted into the water on one end, a rowboat tied to it. Surrounding it was a thick forest of trees with silvery green leaves fluttering in the breeze. “Is this property yours?”
“Yeah. It borders the north end of the ranch. I bought it when I moved back and put the pond in a couple years ago.”
Squealing with excitement, I clapped my hands. “It’s so beautiful. Can we swim in it?”
“Sure. Come on, I’ll race ya.”
Before I could say another word, he’d jumped out, slammed the truck door, and taken off running toward the water.
I hopped out too, following as fast as I could, but Beckett was much faster than me. By the time I covered the distance between the truck and the dock—only about fifty yards or so—he’d already ditched his boots, socks, and jeans. I was still trying to get my sneakers and socks off when he dove into the water in just his boxer briefs, scaring a family of ducks who took off the moment his body hit the surface.
“No fair!” I shouted when he appeared again, shaking water droplets from his hair.
He rubbed his eyes and laughed. “Totally fair.”
While he watched, I wiggled out of my shorts and tank, tugged my ponytail holder from my hair, and jumped in wearing my bra and panties.
The water was cool and felt delicious on my hot, sunburned skin. When I surfaced, Beckett was treading water next to me. “It’s about eight feet here,” he said.
“Definitely over my head.”
“That’s why I mentioned it.” He looked concerned as he reached out one hand. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. This feels so good.” I let my fingers touch his as I floated on my back. The sky was cloudless and blue, so bright I closed my eyes. “Do you come here a lot?”
“Not really. Sometimes to fish.”
I snapped my head up. “Wait. There’s fish in here?”
His blue eyes glittered in the sunlight. “Yeah. You don’t like fish?”
I made a face. “I like them just fine in aquariums. I don’t like swimming with them.”
He laughed. “They won’t bother you. Believe me, they’re moving in the other direction right now.”
“Good.” I splashed him gently. “But if I get attacked by some sort of sea monster, it’s your fault.”
“The only monster who might attack you is me,” he said with a grin. “But if you’d rather go for a ride in the boat than swim, we can do that.”
“I’ll go for a boat ride.” I swam over to the ladder and climbed up, Beckett watching me from the water. Suddenly I was conscious of my utilitarian beige underwear. “You know, if I’d have known this visit was going to involve you seeing my skivvies, I’d have packed differently.”
He came up behind me, and my eyes drifted over his impressive physique. His dark blue boxer briefs hung low on his hips, exposing those V lines I’d imagined last night. Instinctively, I reached out and traced one side with my finger, from where it started to where it disappeared beneath the waistband. Beneath the material, his cock moved as my hand got closer.
I pulled it back.
“Why stop there?” he asked.
I met his eyes. “You want me to keep going?”
“Is that a serious question?”
“Yes.” I laughed and looked around. “We’re standing out here on a dock in the middle of the day.”
“It’s my dock.”
“But can anyone see us?”
“No one can see us.” He reached for me, pulling my body against his, wet skin to wet skin. His thickening erection pressed against my stomach. “What kind of cowboy kidnaps a girl and takes her to a public place?”
“Can you even call yourself a real cowboy?” I teased, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Where’s your horse? Shouldn’t you be trying to ride me off into the sunset or something?”