Authors: Heather Thurmeier
“That spin around the lake really got you worked up, didn’t it? Or was that tough guy overreaction for Gran’s benefit? Still trying to convince us all that you actually love her, huh?”
“My feelings for her are none of your business,” he said in a low voice, barely controlled. “Instead of worrying about my relationship, why don’t you go take care of your pregnant wife?”
On cue, Sophia called from the bedroom. “Babe, can you bring me a water?” Tyler looked as if he wanted to say more, but instead rose and fetched his wife a drink, leaving Sawyer alone with only the crackle of the fire for company.
Did he love Olivia? No, but he sure as hell had been scared when he’d heard her screams coming from the lake. Was that simply a symptom of dealing with his parents’ accident after all these years?
He wandered out to the deck and leaned on the railing, staring out at the black water and the starlight twinkling on the surface. The cabin was the place he felt closest to his parents—as if they were still out there on the water somewhere and if he waited long enough they might come home.
“What are you doing out here?” Olivia said, joining him.
“The fire’s already smoldering. A little longer and it’ll be safe to leave it for the night.” He breathed in the cool night air, feeling like he could never get enough of it after all the time he spent in the city.
Shivering beside him, Olivia rubbed her hands up and down her bare arms. She’d come out in her pajamas, which weren’t warm enough for the temperature drop at night. “It’s beautiful out here. Peaceful.”
He slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. She stiffened. “Just trying to keep you from freezing, sugar. I can’t have you freezing out here or Gran will never let me hear the end of it.” She relaxed and he went back to watching the water.
This, he could get used to.
“I can see why you like it out here.”
“It’s one of my favorite places. I’m glad you’re here to see it.”
“Me, too.”
“I’m sorry about my cousin. He was completely out of line. If I’d known, I would never have let you go.”
“You can’t stop me from doing something I want to do, and I wanted to go along for the ride. If it were up to you, I would’ve sat around on my ass all day reading.”
“But it’s such a nice ass,” he teased, fighting the urge to touch the anatomy in question. He sighed. “I don’t mean to be overbearing or a tyrant of a boyfriend. It’s just this lake and the accident and you… I guess I lost my mind for a second.”
“I get it, and if I’d known Tyler was taking me for a joyride, I never would’ve gone.”
He ran his hand up her shoulder and into her hair, toying with the silky strands. “If only I could forget. It’s this place. It does something to me. Makes me face the things I don’t necessarily want to deal with. But yet, I love it here.”
“I completely understand why you would do anything you can to keep it. But even if Tyler gets it, won’t you still be able to come here once in a while?”
He shrugged. “I doubt it. Tyler is very possessive of his things. I can’t say for sure, but from the way he’s acted so far, I’d say the cabin is just another possession to him, and one he won’t be inclined to share.”
She peered up at him, twisting slightly in his arms. Her gaze darted into the house, then her hand cupped his jaw, coaxing him toward her. When her lips pressed to his in a light kiss, it felt as if everything in his world clicked into place—her, him, the cool breeze blowing off the lake, the stars in all their glory, and the sweetest, most delicious mouth on his.
Before the kiss could go further, she pulled away. “Gran’s watching. I think it’s time for bed.” She slipped her hand into his and pulled him to the door leading directly to their bedroom.
Safely in their room, Olivia crawled under the covers and picked up her book as if she hadn’t just kissed him.
He slipped off his shirt and dropped it to the floor. “Thanks.”
“For what?” she asked, setting her book face down on the blankets.
“For that, out there. You didn’t have to do that to convince Gran.”
“I know. I wanted…” She bit her lip and picked up her book again, focusing on it. “Never mind.”
Wanted what? To kiss me?
As much as this whole relationship was an act with her, he enjoyed having her here. She fit in like she’d always been a part of the family. It was…nice. Too nice, probably. The kind of nice that would cause him problems later on.
But I wanted that kiss, too. And another one.
His shorts joined his shirt on the floor. No point in trying to prevent them from wrinkling since they were beyond filthy after all the work he’d done today. He climbed into bed with just his boxers on.
“You’re not coming to bed like that, are you?” she asked, eyeing him from over the top of her book. Her gaze traveled the length of his body and his dick twitched to life. He quickly pulled the blanket over himself, ignoring his awakening desire.
“I am,” he said. “I usually sleep naked. I could do that if you prefer.”
Her breasts strained against the thin tank top material, her nipples already beaded.
Fuck me!
He wanted to be with her again so badly it almost hurt. He definitely wouldn’t mind sleeping naked if there was a possibility it would lead to more interesting nighttime activities with Olivia. All she had to do was say the word.
Her breath hitched. Instead of answering him, she put her book on the nightstand, shut off her light, and laid down on her side. But she faced toward him, not away like he’d expected.
He sank deeper in the blankets and turned toward her. Her eyes were closed but not yet peaceful. Her breaths still came quickly, wavering softly. A strand of hair across her cheek caught his attention. Without thinking, he tucked it behind her ear.
Her features relaxed and the creases beside her eyes softened with his touch as he trailed his fingertips along her jaw. Her lips parted with a tiny gasp. He stroked the line of her bottom lip and waited her to say something, or open her eyes to meet his gaze, but she remained still, ignoring his advances.
Finally, he withdrew his hand and rested it on the bed between them, disappointed at her lack of interest in his touch. A moment later her hand crept out from beneath the covers and settled next to his. For a second her finger gently swept across his knuckles.
As he listened to her breathing even out in the darkness cocooning them from the rest of the world, he wondered how he’d gotten to this point. He’d never been comfortable sleeping with a woman when it meant actually sleeping. He was a “
sleep
with a woman and then bail to head home to his own bed” kind of guy. Yet tonight, he couldn’t think of anywhere else he wanted to be. Except maybe wrapped around her body…
Damn it!
He wasn’t supposed to want her this much. He
shouldn’t
want her this much. It was too complicated for both of them.
Chapter Fifteen
Olivia downed half a bottle of water with the last bite of her sandwich. Everyone had taken a break to eat before getting started with the afternoon work. As she cleaned her dishes in the sink, Sawyer walked in with his. She took them and added them to the bubbles.
“Thank you for helping Gran today. She never complains, but I know she’s finding the work harder this year. I know she appreciated your help.”
She’d worked non-stop all morning—not that she was complaining—with Gran in the small garden on the side of the house. Just before noon, they’d gotten the last of the seeds planted and the weeds cleaned out. It would still take some weekly maintenance by Gran, but she should get a nice harvest after all their hard work today.
“No problem. I’m happy to help and keep busy. And I liked working with Gran in the garden. It was more fun than work, actually. She’s such a nice lady.” Feeling like a part of the Sterling family was a perk of their arrangement she’d never expected, and she was reveling in it for as long as she could, even if it meant getting dirt under her nails. “What else can I do this afternoon?”
“I’d love it if you’d do me a favor,” he said.
“Name it.” She put the last of the plates onto the dish rack to dry and let the sink drain while she wiped her hands.
“Go sit in the sun and read for a while,” he said. “I know you want to help, but you’ve already done more than your share. I want you to have some time to relax this weekend.”
“Will you join me? You need time to relax too you know.” If it was good for her, it was good for him. Only the man’s work ethic—at his regular job and here, apparently—continually got in the way.
“I need to finish putting on the new window screens,” he said. When she arched an eyebrow, challenging him silently, he sighed and she knew she’d won. “I’ll try to finish up and join you later. Okay?”
“Deal.” She grabbed an apple from the fridge, craving the crisp, sweet freshness, and gave it a quick rinse as he walked out the door. “But if Gran asks me for help again later, I’m going to stop that whole relaxing thing you mentioned.”
He chuckled as he walked outside, leaving her alone in the kitchen. If she had some free time on her hands, maybe she’d run down to the lake and wash the garden off herself with a swim.
Digging a swimsuit out of her bag, she quickly changed then grabbed a towel, sunscreen, her water bottle, and a novel before going out to the deck. The cabin overlooked the lake, which sparkled invitingly as the sunlight reflected off the surface. Wanting a little privacy, she found a tiny, mostly overgrown path and dodged plants along the way. Moments later it opened up to another lake access area, only this one seemed secluded and unused. The grass was long, the small sandy beach was littered with driftwood, and a boat lay upside down just above the shoreline. By how far it was sunken into the sand, she guessed it hadn’t been used in years.
Figuring she was safe to relax there, she cleared away a section of debris from the beach and unfolded her towel. She sat for a while, peering out over the lake, enjoying the gentle lapping of the waves on the beach. All the tension and stress weighing her down for the last couple of months melted away, and a sense of calmness settled in.
Soon her skin radiated with heat from soaking in the sun, and the water called to her. She stood and pulled the light sundress she’d worn over her head, laying it carefully on the towel, tucking it under her book so it wouldn’t blow away in the breeze.
Shrieking as frigid water splashed over her ankles, she considered turning around and heading for her towel again, but without an option for shade, this was the only way to cool off.
“Holy mother of God, it’s freezing.” She cupped water in her hands and attempted to acclimate herself to the temperature by pouring it over her arms and legs. It didn’t work. Instead she simultaneously shivered and burned up.
“You’re doing it wrong.”
She screamed and twisted, almost losing her balance. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” Sawyer said.
“You told me to relax, so I came for a swim. I thought you’d be happy I was finally out of the way.”
“Not that you’re overly dramatic or anything.”
She shook her head and put her hands on her hips. “I wasn’t trying to be dramatic. And I didn’t intend to pull you away from whatever it was you were doing.”
He moved to her towel and toed off his shoes. “I know you didn’t, but I noticed you disappear down my trail and I figured I should come check on you.”
Why did he take off his shoes? He’s not staying.
“Well, I’m okay, if you want to go back.”
Hint, hint.
“The lake looks pretty irresistible.” His gaze was solidly locked on hers and nowhere near the lake. “I think I might stay and take a dip, enjoy the sunshine and nice scenery for a bit before I get back to work.”
She swallowed hard as his shirt came off and joined her dress. The way the sunlight hit his chest, highlighting the dusting of hair, made her body feel fifty times hotter than a moment before. “I didn’t realize you were wearing your swim trunks under your clothes,” she said, trying desperately to focus her thoughts.
“I’m not.” He unzipped his cargo shorts and let them fall to the ground. Toned, tanned legs disappeared beneath his tight navy blue boxer briefs and her head suddenly spun like she’d had too much to drink. The form-fitting fabric cupped him, showing off the anatomy she’d been trying so hard to forget.
As he strode toward her, she wrenched her gaze from his package, finally looking him in the eyes again. When she did, he cocked an eyebrow.
“What?”
He smirked. “Nothing, sugar. Nothing at all.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her deeper into the lake.
Her body reacted to his term of endearment even as her mind rebelled against it. Heat flooded her system, but not from the sun. His words were like kindling to the desire that smoldered deep in her belly every time he was around.
Icy wetness hit her knees and she squealed again, her mind finally clearing enough to think straight. Submerging sounded like a bad idea, especially since Sawyer was involved. The last thing she wanted to do was be dripping wet and cold to the point of glass-cutting nipples. Wearing her bikini in front of him was bad enough. “I changed my mind. The water is freezing.”
“Oh no. You got me in here, you have to come too.”
“You’re the one who interrupted my solitude then stripped down to your skivvies.” Her tone was meant to challenge him, but it didn’t seem to be working, as he pulled her in further.
“I didn’t think you’d appreciate me skinny dipping, but if you’d prefer, I’d be happy to slip out of these and toss them back on shore.” He dropped her hand and reached for the waistband.
As much as she wanted to dare him to do it, she held her ground, refusing to give in to temptation. Being with him again would not make her life easier.
“Let’s do it already,” she said hastily, trying to dissuade him from taking off his remaining clothing.
“Do it, huh? If you insist.”
Before she could object, his arms circled her waist and he pulled her body flush to his. His fingers toyed with the edge of her bikini bottoms as if he might slip beneath the material to cup her naked skin. She gasped as intense pleasure rocketed through her.
“And here I thought you only wanted to go for a swim.” His other hand snaked up to the nape of her neck.
“That is what I want. I didn’t mean anything else. You’re twisting my words again.” She pressed her hands to his chest in an effort to put some distance between them, but only succeeded in reminding herself how nice his skin felt under her fingertips. How the crinkly dusting of hair contrasted with the silky smoothness of his hard length, currently pressing against her stomach. Not things she wanted to think about if she was going to stay away from him.
Of course, her position under him had been pretty damn awesome in the hotel room, too.
Stop. It’s Sawyer. And fake.
He grinned. A big, know-it-all grin. “Have it your way.”
Before she could react, he twisted and flopped backward into the water, taking her with him. Frigid darkness surrounded her as his arms disappeared from her waist. She struggled to the surface, finding her feet and sputtering out water.
“Refreshing, right?” he asked while shaking out his hair as if he were a wet dog.
“Refreshing my ass. What the hell was that for?”
“I told you, inching in doesn’t work. You either have to jump off the pier or dive in. Since neither was an option, I opted for a simple dunk.”
“You could have warned me.”
“True, but then you would’ve made it harder by trying to resist me.” He splashed her and swam away while she swiped water out of her eyes.
Going after him as quickly as she could, she attempted to splash him back, make him drink a little lake water as punishment, but he dodged her. “Jerk,” she said, finally giving up so she could catch her breath. Panting, she put her hand to her side, where a stab of pain shot through her.
A second later, Sawyer dived under the water and resurfaced in front of her. Concern creased his forehead. “That’s from Tyler’s stupid boat ride, isn’t it?”
She tilted her head to the side, leveling him with her gaze. “How nice of you to be concerned now when you didn’t even think about my well-being when you dunked me.”
“You barely even submerged.”
“Tell that to my soaking wet hair.”
He smoothed a loose strand and secured it behind her ear. “I think it looks pretty good wet.” Dropping his hand to her side, he skimmed his fingertips against a large bruise that had bloomed that morning. She’d known she’d bumped the side of the boat, but she hadn’t thought she’d bumped it that hard until today. “Does it hurt?”
The tenderness and concern in his voice made it hard to find hers. “Not really. I just look like a total mess.”
“You’re beautiful.”
The conviction of his words settled in her chest, hitching her breath. For a guy who insisted on staying a bachelor, he sure knew the right things to say to a woman. She wrapped her arms protectively around herself. “I’m going to lay out and warm up. I’ve had enough freezing cold water.”
He pulled her back against his chest, the heat from his body instantly quelling her shivers. “I mean it. You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met, inside and out.”
His touch sent a shot of fire through her arms and legs. The desire in her core roared to life. She didn’t want to enjoy his words, but damn it, her body wouldn’t respect her wishes. She ached for him deeply, intensely.
“I don’t want to be another notch in your bedpost.”
“If that’s all I wanted, I wouldn’t have given you a second glance after our night in the hotel room.”
“Yeah, and?”
“And instead I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind since. You’re the only woman in my thoughts, in my fantasies.”
Her legs went limp and she fought to maintain control, but the idea of him having fantasies about her made her yearn to hear all about them, maybe even live them. It didn’t matter that her time as his girlfriend would come to an end eventually; all that her tingling girly parts cared about was his attention.
He slid his hand up her side, to the string of her bikini top, his fingers dangerously close to her breast. Memories of the last time he’d touched her flooded her mind and she leaned into him on impulse.
“Yesterday, while I was fixing the roof, I imagined what you might look like in a little swimsuit like this. I have to admit, my imagination didn’t nearly do you justice. Real life is so much better. Of course, in my head, this little bit of material spent most of the time crumpled on the ground.”
She didn’t know what to say. If Sawyer were the real deal, her actual boyfriend instead of a fake one, she’d be putty in his hands. Giving in would surely lead to heartache later on in this situation, but maybe the heartache was worth it.
Every second she spent with Sawyer she was more captivated. He was an amazing businessman, a faithful friend, a considerate roommate, a loyal and heartbroken son, and a caring fake boyfriend.
“I wondered if you would taste the same after being in the lake.” He dipped his head and kissed her shoulder while his thumb caressed the side of her breast, slipping under the tiny triangle of material. He licked up to her ear and whispered, “You taste like summer. Did I ever mention, summer is my favorite season?”
Screw it.
She’d done nothing but plan and think about what was coming next, but in turn, she was missing out on the beauty of the moment. And this was a moment she didn’t want to miss. Right now, right here, she’d live in the present and give in to the man who’d been tempting her, making her question her dreams for the future, and causing her to yearn for his touch again and again.
Shouldn’t she live life? Enjoy all it had to offer? Against her better judgment, she let her head fall to the side, giving him better access. Between the freezing water and his hot mouth on her skin, her nipples were beaded so tightly they hurt. She pressed her hips into him and moaned as his hard length dug into her flesh.
Inching back enough to fit her hand between them, she stroked his length. “I wonder if you taste like summer, too.” She found his mouth and kissed him with every ounce of need boiling inside her. He responded, equally eager.
He scooped her into his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her out of the water. Kicking their clothes out of the way, he deposited her on the towel then fished out a condom from his wallet in the pocket of his shorts, and set it on the pile of clothes next to them.