In Too Deep (3 page)

Mute with embarrassment, she slid it up.

He sat on the edge of the bed, one leg folded under him as he bent toward her knee and began to gently wash it with a wash cloth.

“All this fuss,” she murmured, “and it’s just a little dirt.”

The skin was angry looking when he’d finished. He picked up the antiseptic spray, coated the abrasions and then blew on her skin to dry it.

Her gaze snagged on his pursed lips, staring a little too long because a grin stretched there, bringing her gaze to his eyes, which were wrinkled with amusement. Gray eyes. Nearly a slate-blue.

She’d once known a boy with eyes just like that. But framed by long dark lashes and set in a pretty-boy face. They’d both been young. She’d been a couple years older and had known better, but he’d been so eager to learn everything she wanted to teach him.

This rugged-featured, grown man, sitting so close she could smell the scent of his musk and a hint of something sagey, didn’t look as though he needed instruction. No, he exuded a sexual confidence she found impossible to ignore.

“Any place else need some attention?” he asked softly.

Her breath released in a slow whoosh. She could think of more than one. Her nipples ached. Moisture seeped to wet the crotch of her underwear. How had he managed to arouse her so thoroughly? So quickly?

She turned her hands and held them up, side by side, to show him her palms.

He washed both, sprayed both, then clasped her wrists in one hand as he bent to blow. “Better off without a bandage,” he drawled as he leaned back to meet her gaze.

With her cheeks on fire, she gave him a quick, nervous nod.

“Kayla said my room’s across the hallway.”

“Yes.”

His gaze narrowed on her mouth. “Will we be sharin’ a bath?”

He did it again. Made her think of naked skin and sinning with one innocently phrased sentence.

She shook her head. Then blurted before she had time to talk herself out of it, “I have my own. But if the one at the end of the hall is in use…”

A sparkle of devilment shone in his eyes. “You won’t mind? I promise to knock first.”

Knock away.
She might pretend she didn’t hear. Let him surprise her in her bath…

The images that bombarded her mind while he sat on her bed, his large frame so close she could felt the heat coming off him, set her heartbeat thundering inside her chest. She shook her head. “You’re welcome to use it any time.”

“I’ll get settled in. Then maybe you could show me the best spot to set my pole.”

Her jaw sagged.

A wily grin parted his lips.

He knew damn well which pole her dirty mind had conjured. She gave a short laugh and shook her head. “You’re trouble, cowboy. Knew it soon as you stepped out of your truck.”

He gave her a wink but scooted off the bed and strode away.

Lena dragged in a deep breath and whistled between her teeth.

The moment his footsteps clomped down the hallway, Kayla skimmed into her room. “Was he not the yummiest thing you’ve ever seen? I thought I’d die when he walked inside carryin’ you. It’s so romantic!” She squealed the last.

Lena fanned her face. “He needs a fishing pole. No, two. And a carton of worms.”

Her brown eyes widened. “You takin’ him fishing?”

“He said he wanted me to show him where the best place to go was.” The last thing she’d acknowledge was he’d asked where to plant his pole, although that’s exactly what she’d be thinking about for the rest of the afternoon. She closed her eyes and groaned. “I’m a slut. A horny, desperate slut.”

Kayla giggled. “You should take him up past the falls. No one goes that far. I’ll steer anyone who asks
down
the creek.”

Lena leaned her head to the side and aimed a narrow-eyed glance at her helper. “You tryin’ to matchmake?”

Kayla wrinkled her nose. “Someone needs to get a little some-some out of that man. If it’s not me, you at least have to share all the sordid details.”

Lena laughed and shook her head. No way would she share any sexy details with the twenty-year-old. Any sordidness would be hers alone to savor. She swung her legs off the bed. “Get those poles ready. I need to freshen up a bit. Don’t let him leave without me.”

Kayla grinned. “A little lipstick. Something soft and pink and he won’t be thinkin’ about any grubby ole worms.”

Lena shut the bathroom door and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a wild mess. Dirt stained the side of her shorts. She stripped and put her clothes in the hamper.

A quick shower and she’d be ready to face him again. Maybe by then the excited blush scorching her cheeks would fade.

The next time she saw him, she took a step back. He wore knee-length swim shorts and a pair of boat shoes. His broad chest was completely bare, a wide expanse of warm caramel with a light dusting of dark brown hair.

Indecently masculine. Or maybe it was the way he made her feel so indecently feminine, because lust rose up so strongly that once again her knees grew weak.

His gaze swept over her frame. When he reached her face, that dark glint was back in his gray eyes. She’d donned a tankini top and cutoffs. Her bikini bottoms were underneath just in case they succumbed to the lure of the cool water.

Kayla gave her a broad grin. A carton of worms and a small picnic basket sat on the counter. “In case you two get hungry,” she said, winking discretely.

Tommy held the poles and picked up the worms.

She took the basket. “Follow me?”

“For now.”

Every word out of his mouth was a tease. Unless she was reading more into his words than he meant.

The fact she’d only just met him but was already thinking about sex should have rung alarm bells, but something about him made her want to jump his bones—to hell with propriety. Folks were busy with their own adventures. Other than nosy Kayla, who else would care if she acted a little fast and loose?

At least she’d had the good sense to stuff a line of condoms in her pocket. Just in case he was every bit as eager as she was.

The moment she stepped out onto the porch, the midday heat hammered the top of her head. “Let’s follow the river bank,” she said over her shoulder. “There’ll be more shade.”

“I’m right behind you.”

Right behind her. That made her ass tense. Made her gait a little stilted. Sweet Jesus, they’d better do it soon or she’d be a gibbering mess.

They left the clearing, walking down a path that paralleled the pier but then led left, following the edge of the creek upstream.

In the shade, with leaves fanning the air, the temperature was a good ten degrees cooler. The path was a narrow dirt trail with thick brush to the left and a steep bank to the right. They trudged forward, and she worried he might think they were traveling too far, but the place she wanted to bring him was magical. Worth the extra effort.

When she edged around a boulder and climbed down to spot where the bank was flatter and the water fell over a series of large stepped rocks, she glanced back.

His appreciative gaze was on the falls. “It’s nice,” he said, smiling back at her. “And private.”

The steps and the curve of the river made this short bend a favorite necking spot for guests. A fact she’d taken advantage of when she was younger. This was her skinny-dipping hole. The place she’d brought that younger boy and had her wicked way with him.

She walked to one rock that jutted over the edge of the water. “See this groove? You can set your pole in here,” she said, adding a sultry texture to her voice because it was now or never.

He laid the poles on the bank and toed off his shoes. “Wanna cool off first?”

Lena noted the hint of challenge that gleamed in his eyes. She swallowed, stalling a second while she worked up the nerve. But she was done with him being the only one issuing oblique teases. “Nothing would please me more.”

“Nothing?”

Her gaze slid down to his shorts and then slowly made its way back up to his face. She cocked an eyebrow, wondering how far he’d take the dare.

“Lady, don’t look at me that way if you’re not ready to play with fire.”

She lifted her chin, waiting to see how he’d answer her challenge. Her heart skittered to a halt when he pushed down his shorts and strode nude into the water.

Her jaw loosened as she stared. His cock was only beginning to stir, lifting from a shaved groin. As he strode past, she remembered how to breathe and glanced at his retreating figure. His ass was hard, round, two deep dimples above it. Her mouth watered at the thought of dipping her tongue into those grooves.

He stepped off the underwater ledge and began to swim away, not trying to influence her with any cajoling or burning glances. He’d left the decision in her hands. The invitation hers to accept or not.

Well, this was what she’d wanted—no, needed. She glanced around the clearing to make sure they were still completely alone then quickly started stripping away her clothes. Not nearly with as much confidence as he had, but then she carried a few extra pounds and her belly was soft.

Taking a calming breath, she strode into the river.

Chapter Three

Gabe listened to the rustle of clothing being shed and her quick, excited breaths. When water splashed behind him, only then did he turn to acknowledge her presence. He didn’t betray any emotion over the fact she’d dumped propriety on its ass to join him—deliciously nude.

Only her breasts were visible, floating just beneath the surface of the water. The cream-colored globes were naturally full. The tips were tightened little buds. The areolas were a little larger than he remembered but still cotton-candy pink.

His cock hardened, pulsing as he imagined gently chewing on a stiff bud while her legs writhed around him.

She swam closer, but not so near he could sweep out a hand to bring her against him. She was ready to flirt but still held on to a little caution.

Gabe struck out for the first rocky ledge, and pulled himself up to sit while clear river water sluiced around his body. His cock was prominent despite the blurring stream. No way could she pretend not to be looking where she was.

Her gaze was caught, her pupils growing large as she stared at his erection.

He patted the rock beside him. “Why not join me?”

Her eyes widened, but she firmed her mouth and swam nearer.

He held out a hand, which she accepted after giving him a long, searching look. He pulled her up beside him to rest on the ledge. With her knees pulled up against her chest and her body curled, she hid most of her interesting bits. Her shyness amused and enchanted him.

That same combination of boldness and reticence had excited him as a youth. He’d wanted to make her blush with embarrassment one moment and with searing passion the next. In the end, she’d given him both.

“Tell me something,” he said softly. “Something about you.” He hoped she’d answer the questions abounding in his mind. Like why was she still here? Had she finished college? Or given up? Why was she still wearing that cheap promise ring he’d given her all those years ago?

She gave him a sideways glance. Her body still folded tightly, she wrapped her arms around her knees to hide herself.

Not that she looked anything but completely sexy. The long expanse of her back was golden and smooth. The sides of her breasts a creamy white.

She slicked back her wet hair then set her cheek against her knee as she stared back at him. “There’s not much to tell. I run this place in the summers for my grandfather.”

“And during the rest of the year?”

She lifted her shoulders. “I teach art in middle school.”

She’d wanted to study graphic design and work in a marketing firm. What the hell had happened to that dream?

“What about you?” she asked.

“I’m in cattle.”

Her eyelids dipped, and she glanced away. The tiny catch in her breath made him wonder if she was remembering a boy who’d been a rancher’s son.

“I have to ask you, because, well, it’d be a little embarrassing if you knew him…”

He let a smile curve his mouth. “Who?”

“His name was Gabriel Triplehorn. He was here years and years ago. Lived on a ranch too. Just wondered if you knew him. Your eyes kinda remind me of him.”

Gabe gave her an easy smile although inside his chest warmed. She hadn’t forgotten him. “Was he someone special?”

Her smile seemed a little brittle. “Like I said, it was years ago. We barely knew each other.”

“How well did you know each other?”

Her glance flashed, a hint of annoyance digging a line between her brows. “That’s hardly any of your business.”

“If I knew this Gabe, maybe it would be.”

She huffed a breath. “It’s not like you’d be stepping on any toes. It was a long time ago. Forget I even mentioned him.”

Gabe kept quiet, studying her face for a hint of what she was really thinking. Something about his appearance had sparked her memory, but by the tightness of her shoulders and the crimp of her soft lips, not every memory she had of him was rosy.