Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Caught.
Chapter Sixteen
Rey
I’m seriously better than this.
Is that going to be my new mantra? I’m better than this? Shit.
I stomp out from behind the tree and do the only thing I can think to do to get him as off-balance as he’s gotten me. I start stripping right in front of him, starting with my jacket. Two can play this game, and considering I literally have everything to lose, I’m all in.
“Thank you so much for the invitation,” I say, toeing off my shoes. “I’ve been waiting years to get naked with you.”
Aric looms over me, eyes burning with unreadable emotion. Is it rage…or something worse? “Why are you here?”
I clench my fist around the hem of my T-shirt and yank it over my head, willing my pulse to chill the hell out. He’s the enemy. He’s furious. And he’s half naked.
Get it together, Rey!
“Your brother just asked me the same question. Education,” I say sweetly, as if this isn’t the worst idea I’ve had in at least a week.
I unhook my bra, toss it onto the bench, and shove out of my pants in one clean motion. Panties stay on. Can’t give the people everything they want.
Our gazes collide, then drop as one. Boxer briefs, like I saw in his room. My skin feels tight and my mouth waters as I step a bit closer. The air between us is charged, heavy with unsaid things, confessions, discussions about our past, all of it.
“You were right,” I tell him. “It’s my first time.” I nod toward the spring behind him. “So go ahead—teach me.”
His face goes deathly pale, then seconds later he’s flushing fire-alarm red.
“It’s more of a learn-as-you-go kind of thing,” he says finally, his voice rough as it skips across the suddenly frigid air hitting me in the face with such intensity that I suck in a breath. “I’m getting in.”
He backs up into the spring, his mahogany eyes dark and unblinking, which would be unnerving enough, but add to it that he never once breaks eye contact, causing heat to unfurl low in my stomach… Is he trying to intimidate me?
Well, I’m here. I’m naked. Does he really think I’ll fold that easily?
Then it hits me. He’s not trying to intimidate me.
He’s daring me.
His nostrils flare again, his jaw tightens, and then he swallows like he’s doing it to keep from saying something. I chalk it up to his hatred and absolute doubt that I’m here for charitable reasons.
My pulse is frantic, my breaths too shallow as I watch him disappear into the mist rising from the spring. The early-morning quiet is broken only by the sound of water rippling as he slips in. No pressure, no panic. I can do this.
I follow, stepping carefully over the rocky path until I reach the edge of the small spring. I’m not a fan of water. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had nightmares about drowning. Probably a result of Odin tossing me into the mansion’s deep end as a child. His form of parenting was literally sink or swim. But this pool doesn’t trigger the lurching feeling of dread in my stomach—the water’s clear, and I can see the stone lining the walls and edges. The air is cool against my bare skin, but the moment I sink into the water, warmth overwhelms me.
What the hell am I doing?
“Reckless” doesn’t even cover it—I must be losing my mind…knowing what he could be capable of.
I need to get close, but this is too close, too soon.
I’ve only been here a day, and I’m already skinny-dipping with the enemy.
Now that I’m close enough to see him again, I notice Aric’s eyes are closed, his expression unreadable. I’m almost naked. He’s almost naked. And completely unbothered. I don’t know if I should be offended or thankful that he hasn’t said anything.
The charged silence stretching between us is heavy with an unspoken challenge.
I open my mouth, but before I can speak, his voice cuts through the stillness.
“Shhhh.” His tone is low, warning. “This is a quiet place. Make noise, and you might get eaten.”
I roll my eyes and flick water at him while dying a bit internally at the possible double meaning.
His reaction is instant. His eyes snap open, dark and intense, and then suddenly, I’m shoved against the muddy wall of the spring, my back pressing into the slick surface.
“Do that again.” His voice is a dare. A threat. He tilts his head to the side. “I liked it.”
His eyes flicker to my mouth.
I try not to react, but it’s impossible with Aric. I want to ask him questions, dig deep, for my own personal reasons but also because it’s the only way he’ll let me in. “You hate being challenged.”
“No, I never back away from a challenge. I hate losing,” he says quickly, and his eyes soften a bit. “And although I might be able to forgive you, fair warning, I’ll never forgive your father.”