Page 36 of Fallen Gods

As I round a curve in the path, I see Aric stopped in a clearing. A few feet beyond him, the still water of a spring reflects the eerie gray light of the sky.

I dodge behind a tree and peer out around it just in time to see him shrug off his jacket, followed by his shirt. He tosses them onto an old wooden bench, and my breath catches.

He’s facing me like he’s putting on a show. Um, not what I expected.

He’s not making eye contact, but his stare is so direct, I think he must have seen me duck behind this tree. Mouth dry, I keep watching. I can’t tear my eyes away.

Maybe he didn’t spot me and he’s just an exhibitionist? I still can’t see all of him because of the typical Washington early-morning mist, but when it finally clears, it’s to see him slowly starting to unbutton his jeans. What the hell?

“Is this your first time?” he calls. Shit. He did freaking see me. But maybe he doesn’t know it’s me?

Wait, what did he just ask me?Embarrassment burns my cheeks.

“Reyyyy?” He says my name like a taunt, stretching it out way longer than necessary. “I mean, if you want to join me in skinny-dipping, I won’t complain. But I can’t promise I won’t drown you.”

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’sdaringme.

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.