Say You'll Marry Me

Halfway to the blanket, his shirt hit the ground. He nearly tripped while trying to shuck his jeans, and her laugh echoed across the surface of the water when they bunched near his ankles.

Frickin’ boots.

He sat down to remove both his boots and pants, then stood and stripped off his boxer briefs.

Joy wasn’t laughing now.

She watched as he waded in from the shore and dove under from waist deep. The clear water sluiced over his skin, washing away the day’s grime while cooling his heated body and renewing his energy. Breaking the surface, he scrubbed the dust and sweat from his face, then raked his hair back and searched for the red-headed nymph who’d lured him in.

She treaded water about ten feet way.

Logan swam closer, not taking his gaze off hers for a second. The green in her eyes had given way for a warm, murky brown that was absolutely gorgeous framed by those wet, spiked lashes. He recognized the aroused color from the previous times they’d kissed, and his pulse leapt in anticipation. Thank God all his worries about her second guessing this thing between them were for nothing.

When he was about three feet from her, she grinned, then ducked under the surface and swam away. He dove after her, only to come up empty handed. She wasn’t where he

expected, either, and he whirled around to find her behind him.

She laughed at his narrowed gaze. The musical, carefree sound reached in to wrap around his heart, squeezing until his breath hitched.

Logan advanced again. Dove and missed. Surfaced to find her off to his right when she should’ve been on his left.

The next time, he pretended to lunge, then pulled up short to tread water and watch her evasion. Nymph was an understatement. Her body sliced beneath the surface, a pale figure of temptation as she swam away and rose up far out of reach. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear she was a mermaid.

“You swim like a fish.”

She grinned. “Only because I swim a lot. It’s relaxing, and the water feels good, doesn’t it?”

“After how hot it was today, it feels great,” he agreed, easing closer once more. “It was nice of everyone to come help, but I’m glad they’re gone.”

“Me, too.” Her gaze met his. They’d gone green during their play, but now deepened back toward brown.

“Any word from your grandparents?”

She nodded, the movement increasing the size of the ripples emanating from the water line at her chin. “Gram’s appointment was pushed back to tomorrow. They were planning to stay at her sister’s in New Berlin anyway, and should be home tomorrow night.”

Which gave them all night alone.

No second guessing.

No interruptions.

No stopping.

Excitement shortened his breath, and despite the cool water, his skin burned hot. “Everything going okay, though?”

“I think so. She was excited to go.”

“That’s good.” He shifted his gaze over her shoulder. “Watch it.”

When she spun in the water to see what he’d warned about, Logan made his move. As if realizing the trick, she turned again and tried to lunge backward at the last minute. He grabbed her by the ankle and yanked her back. She shrieked as she went under, then came up coughing.

He caught her close as guilt rushed in. “Sorry. Are you okay?”

She nodded, still coughing, but laughing at the same time. “I deserved that.”

He became aware of her bare limbs sliding against his beneath the water. Back and forth her legs swished. Smooth. Slippery. Erotic. Hot.

Desire surged, and he swiped a wayward strand of wet hair from her cheek while wrapping his other arm around her waist. “You deserve this.”