One to Leave (One to Hold 5)

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 coverin

g 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?”

“Rainbows and the magic of friendship.” A laugh pushed through his lips and splashed the water. I swam to him. This man had fucked me five ways from Sunday. I’d be damned if I allowed any distance between us now. Going straight into his arms, I wrapped mine around his neck. “What was your favorite cartoon?”

“Shazam.”

Now my lip curled. “What’s that?”

“Captain Marvel.” His hands lightly traced their way around my waist, and I shivered. His voice was more relaxed. “What was your favorite band?”

“Oh, no,” I shook my head. “You’ll only make fun of me.”

“Let me guess. Backstreet Boys.”

My laughter danced across the water, and he turned me so my back was against his chest. I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Mmm... I love your skin against mine.”

Lips touched my neck before he spoke again. “First sexy movie?”

“Henry and June.”