Taken (One to Hold 7.50)

Mariska

The smaller lake was secluded and gorgeous. I wasn’t sure how much longer we had of this Chinook, but every day felt like borrowed time. Sort of like every day I spent with Stuart. The fight was back in his eyes, and I knew we had gotten too close this morning. Or perhaps it was last night when he pulled me to him in the darkness.

Either way, as he alternated between playful and hostile, I knew his resistance was raging back. As for me, I’d brought a leopard-print bikini, because… well, why the hell not? All my cards were in. I had nothing to lose now, and I planned to fight dirty.

Discarding the bandeau top, I pulled on a loose-weave beige cover-up. The knit was essentially a series of open circles that created an even sexier effect than topless. My breasts played peek-a-boo at every turn. Just for fun, I braided my hair in a thick rope over my shoulder.

Stuart took one look at me and cleared his throat, facing the water. “I’m pretty sure this is a mineral spring.”

“Do they have those in Montana?”

“A few resorts south of here, near Elkhorn and Helena, are famous for them.”

Stepping into the pool, I was intrigued. “You know, hot springs are known for healing properties?”

He stepped forward as well. “FDR bought one to cure his polio.”

The water was warm and lovely. I took off my top and pushed gently through the waves. “It feels amazing. Like a spa.”

Stuart seemed to forget his internal battle. He slipped off his shorts and continued into the spring completely naked. My whole body sizzled at the sight of him submerging in the pool. I wanted to wrap around that again.

“Now I feel overdressed.” I pulled off my leopard-print bottoms and held them over my head, giving them a little spin. “Skinny dipping for the win!”

He cracked the tiniest smile. “I’m thinking about what you said.”

Dog paddling toward him, I tossed my bottoms onto the bank. “You don’t need a mineral spring. What you have with will heal on its own with regular therapy and time.”

His brow lined. “I don’t have time.”

Stuart William Knight… I couldn’t help a tiny growl moving through my brain. As much fun as I loved to have, I managed to fall for this gorgeous, strong, sexy, absolutely impossible man.

“What’s the rush?” I pushed my arms, moving back out toward the middle of the lake.

He glanced up at me. “You wouldn’t understand.”

A new response. “Try me.”

His brow lowered. Damn his angry, determined look that made my insides go all gooey. I matched it with my own, and he turned his back, giving me the full view of those broad shoulders, the nice V at his waist, and of course, that perfect ass. I loved running my hands all over him during “therapy.”

Since he wouldn’t answer, I decided on distraction maneuvers. “Do you think I might be getting a tan?” Inspecting my arm, it seemed a shade darker, and I was sure I saw more caramel in my brown hair.

“It’s possible.” His back was still turned, and I admired the golden glow covering his skin.

“I’ve always tanned easily, ever since I was young.”

He stretched his arms out and did a long push across the small pond. “I feel good,” he said quietly.

“You look good,” I said equally quietly. Then a little louder, “What did you want to be before you wanted to be a Marine?”

Looking up, he seemed to think. “Cowboy.”

That made me laugh. “I can believe it.” He drifted closer to me, his lips just at the surface.

“What about you?”

“I played My Little Pony.” He rose a bit in the water so I could see his lip curl. I laughed again. “You disapprove?”

“I don’t know. What is it?”