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“Your mother’s going to kill us for not being there for dinner,” I huff, struggling to get any words out because I’m folded in half.
“She won’t care. Trust me.” Nathan’s steps become slower as he makes his way down the steep hill, and I throw my arms around his waist to stop me from bumping around.
“Nathan, put me down.” Using all my strength, I squeeze my arms which are wrapped around him, causing him to let out ahumpfnoise as I try to push the air out of his lungs and get him to do as I ask.
“Fuck, you’re strong. We’re here.” He comes to a standstill, then pries my fingers open before laying my feet on the ground.
“Oh my God, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” I smack his shoulder playfully as I try to compose myself from his unexpected kidnapping, but he doesn’t care; instead, he proceeds to toe-off his sneakers, before removing his immaculate white tennis shorts and boxers that highlight his deep tan.
“Strip,” he orders confidently, walking toward the slow-moving stream below.
What the hell? He’s serious about skinny-dipping. “Nathan,” I call out, my hands on my hips, on the verge of having a tantrum, but he steps into the water.
“I’ll come back there and strip you naked myself if I have to.” He raises his voice above the steady sound of the moving water. “Get in, Arianna.” Spinning around, he beckons me tohim before dunking his head below the surface and reappearing again, pushing his wet hair off his forehead.
Biting my lower lip, I consider my options. Run back to the house, jump in his car, and head back to the city—but then I’ll get arrested for stealing his car—or go skinny-dipping and have some fun with a man I didn’t think knew the meaning of the word.
“Oh, screw it.” I borrow Nathan’s slogan he uses when he takes a blind gamble and remove my clothes quicker than a blink.
“I’m difficult to resist, right?” Nathan says, sounding cocky and looking smug as hell.
I step into the much warmer than expected water, still wearing my bra and panties.
“I’m not happy about this.” I only brought a few sets of underwear.
“I never would have worked that out,” he replies deadpan, joking with me. “This might make you happy. Come with me.” Standing up in the waist-deep water, he urges me to take his hand, which I do, never able to resist him.
It’s like something weird happens when I’m around him. I just can’t say no anymore.
I’m dick drunk, I’m sure I am.
I follow his lead up stream.
“Here.” He points to a wall of stones that have been made into the perfect circular shape, holding in water that looks like it’s steaming. “It’s a natural hot spring,” he says, sharing one of the hidden treasures around the peaceful ranch.
Nathan steps over the small wall and I copy him, dipping my foot in to test the water first to discover it’s warm, really warm. “This is amazing,” I say, the corners of my mouth lifting with happiness.
“I thought you’d like it, but you have too many clothes on.” A small bump forms between his eyebrows in confusion. “And as you can see, it’s a clothes-free spring.”
I play along. “There isn’t a sign up stating the rules.”
“It’s invisible. Only people with the surname Hart can see it.”
“That right?”
“Yes. It’s right there.” Using his pointer finger, he gestures to the grassy riverbank.
“Oh, yeah, I think I see it, now that you come to mention it.” I stare into the void and play his stupid game. “That sign must also be visible for people with the surname Donovan because if I’m reading that correctly, it also says no grumpy bastards allowed, which means you gotta leave.” Very slowly, to tease him, I undo my front-fastening bra, removing it completely. I drape it over the stone wall of the natural Jacuzzi before sliding my panties down my legs and placing them next to my bra.
He licks his lips, watching my every move. His jaw tics as if he’s trying to contain himself and not jump my bones, which I sort of wish he would.
“At least I can remove my clothes, but you can’t shed that grumpy ass of yours, so I’ll meet you back at the house,” I say, keeping a straight face as I lower myself into the water and take a seat on one of the large stones beneath. Sliding myself further into the water all the way up to my neck, I close my eyes and my muscles sigh with relief. It feels like I’m in a warm bath, which is much needed after our all-night sex marathon.
“You’re a fucking tease,” he mutters.
I open one eye and smile. “Takes one to know one, Mr. Hart.” I splash water at him. “Get in. Your dick is very distracting.” I dip my gaze to his thick length hanging heavy between his thighs and lick my lips. That man sure does have a mighty fine-looking cock.
Nathan eases himself into the hot water then glides over to me slowly like a wolf stalking its prey.