Full Exposure (Independence Falls 1)

Eric held open the gate, waiting for her to slip past him. A second later, the floodlights switched on, illuminating the deck. Securing the gate behind her, he moved to the hot tub, releasing the latches that held the top in place. One push and the cover slid to the ground. He withdrew a condom from his wallet, the one he’d slipped in there before leaving the house just in case tonight led them to this moment, and set it on the tub’s edge.

He turned to Georgia, who was staring at his bare chest as if she wanted to devour him but could not decide where to start. That look, hell, it threatened to shut down his common sense. He needed her. Now.

Her fingers toyed with the hem of her shirt, distracting him. Eric reached for her, his hands covering hers, pulling her shirt off.

Purple lace. Her nipples pressed against the peekaboo fabric. His hands ached to touch. Georgia reached behind her back and released her bra. The straps slid down her shoulders, and the lace fell away from her breasts.

Eric let out a low growl, grabbing hold of her hips as he reached for her jeans. Fingers fumbled, moving quickly, releasing buttons, drawing down zippers, and racing to strip away the last pieces of clothing before they tumbled into uncharted territory.

Drawing back, Eric scanned her face, searching for any signs of doubt. Finding none, he placed his hand on her hip. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers. He brushed her lips, mimicking the soft kiss she’d given him in the field. But he couldn’t hold back. He deepened the embrace, pouring years of wanting into this kiss.

“Georgia.” He leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. Running his hand through her hair, he stopped short of pressing his lower body against hers. Before they climbed into the tub, he needed her to know this was more than a game. “I’ve wanted you for so damn long.”

Tension radiated off her in waves. She grabbed his hips and shifted hers forward, drawing her naked body against his erection. The contact blew him away. But in the corner of his mind, the one small place not overrun with pleasure, he translated her actions. She needed this to be about sex, not emotions. For her, it was simple. If she felt anything more, she was pushing it away.

Tonight, he’d take what he could get. He’d let her hide behind her games.

“Get in, Georgia,” he said. “I dare you.”

Chapter Eight

GEORGIA ACCEPTED HIS challenge. She moved to the wooden step leading up to the hot tub and set her hands on the edge. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked at Eric. She’d seen him in board shorts before. But still, the sight of his muscular chest, covered with a light dusting of hair, left her body humming with anticipation. And when she looked lower, to the place his shorts usually covered, she had a moment of oh-my-he’s-mine-tonight awe.

Turning away, she eased one leg in, followed by the second. Warmth engulfed her lower body. Moving farther into the tub, she sank deeper until the water lapped at her breasts. Just as she’d clung to the chilling sensations in his pond, she narrowed her world until only the tingling from the hot tub remained.

Behind her, Eric climbed the steps. Georgia closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the wood creaking beneath his weight. Every detail here mattered. Nothing beyond that.

She hoped he understood. She’d meant what she’d said at the Clam Shack. She wanted uncomplicated fun, a chance to explore the physical desire that had pulled at them both for so long—on her terms.

But when he’d kissed her . . .

It was like a promise. But she could not push that button inside labeled Emotions. She wasn’t ready.

Georgia opened her eyes and saw Eric standing on the top step, staring down at her. Leaning back into the water, she lifted her feet off the hot tub floor. She spread her legs wide as her breasts floated on the surface. She studied his expression, watching as his features darkened, suggesting a raw, physical need. Judging from the way his hands formed tight fists at his side, Eric was struggling to hold back.

“That night, in your bedroom,” she said, “you said you wanted to do things to me. Show me. Now.”

Eric closed his eyes. “Georgia—”

“This is just between us, Eric. Don’t let the outside world in. Not here.”

Her words worked like a magic spell, drawing him into the tub. He pushed away from the bench that ran around the hot tub’s perimeter and sank, submerging in the water up to his chest.

Georgia drifted back, floating toward the tub’s wall. Eric followed, his powerful body forcing the water aside. It was like a dance. When she moved, he followed.

“Sit up on the edge,” he ordered.

Georgia placed her hands on the lip and pushed down until her bottom rose out of the tub. Her legs dangled in the water. Waves splashed against the sides as Eric pressed forward. He stopped in front of the bench. Wrapping his right hand around her ankle, he lifted it up, placing her foot on the edge.

“Don’t let go,” he warned, lifting her other leg.

Perched on the rim of the hot tub, with her hands firmly planted on the small space beside the corner headrest and her legs extended in a V shape with only a small bend in her knees, Georgia was completely exposed under the outdoor floodlights. Eric knelt in front of her, his broad shoulders between her limbs and his mouth inches from her core. She watched, waiting for him to reach out and touch her.

“The things you want to do better involve your hands and mouth,” she murmured.

He glanced up, his lips forming a hint of a smile. His blue eyes burned bright. That look—it was unfamiliar, and entirely wicked. This was a new side of the always-do-the-right-thing man she’d known practically forever. Excitement, laced with adrenaline, rushed over her.

“Trust me, Georgia.” She felt his hot breath touch the sensitive flesh that ached for him. “Please.”