The Naked Truth (The Honeybrook Hamdens)

“But…”

“Jules. Come on.”

She swallowed hard, glanced at the murky water and then back at him. Then, even though she didn’t for the life of her know why, she gave him a tiny little nod. “One jump, then I’m headed back home to get in warm, dry clothes and call it a night.”

“You’ve got it.”

She reached for the hem of her shirt, and then said, “Fine. Turn around.”

“Why? I’m going to see your underwear if we’re jumping in together.”

“Well, I…Fine. It’s fine.” She pulled her clothes off quickly and did her best not to make eye contact while she went. When finally she was left in nothing more than her white cotton bra and matching panties, she looked him straight in the eye and said, “I mean it. One jump and I’m headed home.”

Chase nodded, a sly smile still tilting his too-full lips “Whatever you say, champ.”

“So…what do I do?”

He crossed the space between them, grabbed the rope in one hand, then held it until the seat dangled just above her knees. “Step on.”

“But what if--?”

“I’ve got it. Step on. You’re safe.”

She lifted her foot, then, noticing it was shaking, hopped onto the seat and gripped the rope as hard as she could.

“Who is going to hold it for you?” she asked.

“Nobody. I’m a pro, though. Now, make sure your feet are close to the rope and be careful of splinters, okay?”

She adjusted slightly, then closed her eyes and waited. It didn’t take long. In an instant, she felt the weight of his body swinging them over the lake, and she inhaled deeply as the seat let out a weary creak and his other foot landed beside her.

“Not so hard,” he whispered, and the heat of his breath against her skin sent shivers up her arms. “Now, we’re going to swing three times, then jump. I’m holding the rope with one hand, but with the other—“

Warm, rough skin slid gently along her waist, and her nipples tightened into stiff peaks beneath the fabric of her bra.

“I’ll guide you,” he finished, and she offered him a shaky nod, too worried about how breathy her voice might sound if she dared to speak.

“Okay,” he said. “One.”

He gripped her tighter and rocked her hip gently along with his. As he moved, his crotch brushed against her ass and she felt the thick evidence of his need there. Waiting for her.

“Two,” he said, and was it her imagination, or was his voice the slightest bit huskier than it had been before?

“Thr—“ Before he could finish, the board snapped beneath their feet and she was hurtling into the water, shocked and breathless as the icy water enveloped her skin.

When she finally got her bearings again, it took her a moment to realize she was laughing—really laughing. Like she didn’t have a care in the world. And as she paddled toward shore, she heard Chase joining in with her, his throaty chuckle echoing her lighter, more tinkling laugh.

“Good try,” she said, when she finally found her breath again.

“More like good fail, I think you mean.” He pushed himself onto the shore, then held his hand out for her. She took it without thinking, and then the electricity of his touch slowed her and when she met his gaze, she knew he could feel it too.

For a long moment, he stared at her, and the eye contact was somehow more intimate than anything they’d done together before. Then, slowly, he lifted her from the water and onto the little patch of grass beside him, careful to avert his eyes when he realized her thin white underwear had become completely see-through.

It wasn’t soon enough, though. The outline of her erect pink nipple just beneath the surface of the fabric had already been burned into his mind, and he would have had to be completely blind not to wonder what lay beneath her tiny white panties.

Her blond hair had darkened from the water, and now she lay there looking like a mermaid who’d washed ashore just for him.

“I…we should probably get dressed,” he said, hating himself a little more with every word.