The Naked Truth (The Honeybrook Hamdens)

“The one where we used to swim?”

She nodded.

“There’s only one way to find out.” Abandoning his food, Chase stood, and then held out a hand for her. She looked up at it, knowing that this, somehow, was an important decision. A turning point. If she took his hand, there wasn’t any going back. Not anymore.

So when she slid her palm against his, she closed her eyes and braced herself as he led her deeper into the forest.

Chapter Seven

Ten Years Ago

Julie jumped and Chase laughed as he stoked the fire.

They were out in the woods just outside the cemetery, and it seemed like every little noise had her skin crawling tonight. Or maybe she was just on edge. It had been a couple of weeks since Luke went off to boot camp, and with Amy already safely stowed away at college it had left Julie alone. With Chase.

It’d been his idea to come out here and hang out, and hers to bring the flask, If only to calm her nerves.

So far, that was so not working.

“Pass me the tequila,” she said, trying ignore the eerily loud hoot of a barn owl in the distance.

“Only if you say ‘please.’”

“What if I say ‘now?’”

He took a swig and smiled at her. “I’ll give you this, it isn’t swill.”

“Nah, only the best for my underage d

ays. When I have to buy it myself, it’ll be much less impressive.” She smiled at him and an awkward pause hung in the air between them.

“So,” she mustered, trying to gage if it was just her who felt the spark of electricity in the air between them, “Next week is the big week.”

“Yep. New apartment. New job,” he said.

“You gonna miss me?”

“Every day.” His dark eyes grew serious and she glanced at the fire before taking another drag from the flask.

She was feeling a little more than tipsy now. Her head swam and it felt like the whole world was focused on her senses, like everything was soft and warm and all for her.

“You know, I’ve never been drunk,” she said.

“You mean before tonight?” He raised his dark, sexy eyebrows and she tried not to stare at his pouty, kissable lips.

“I’m not drunk.”

“Are too.”

“Am not.”

“It’s okay. I’m drunk too.” He held his hand out for the flask. “But you’ve had enough. Give it over.”

“What if I say ‘no?’”

“Then I’ll have to take it from you.”

She grinned and he got up from his log and crossed the small space toward her. He took the flask in one hand, but she held on tight, trying to pull back…and failing.