Page 94 of Off-Limits

Tension hangs heavily in the air, the unspoken words being left unsaid, but I know what she wants to hear. I’ll say them of course, even if she doesn’t say them back.

“I love you, baby, more than I thought was even possible.”

Dottie ducks her head, the blush blazing on her ivory skin, and she’s never looked more beautiful. I’m about to cup her face in my hands when she pushes back, a sly grin on her face.

“You love me, do you?” she says, standing up and creating distance between us.

“I do.”

Smirking at me, she keeps stepping back, undoing her button up shirt and popping the button on her jean shorts.

“Blossom.”

It’s a warning, and by the smirk deepening on her face, she knows it.

“Hmmm?”

“Get your ass back here.”

“Or what? You’ll spank me again?” she drawls, popping the last button and throwing the shirt and shimming out of her shorts.

I bite my tongue, because the sight of her out in the middle of nature, naked and mine is overwhelming. She looks like a goddess amidst the trees, wildflowers, and flowing brook behind her.

Even if she is being a brat right now.

“I have a secret to tell you.”

“You do, do ya?” I ask, standing up as her toes hit the water.

“I love you, too.”

Then she rushes into the water, giggling while I strip down as fast as humanly possible and dart after her, our laughter echoing around us. She runs as fast as she can into the stream, and although I’m worried that she might slip or step on a sharp rock, my desire to get to her trumps those wayward worries right now.

She finds me gaining on her and her face is a picture of happiness, while loose purple strands flow haphazardly around her.

My arms snake around her waist, and I draw her into me, skin to skin with no barriers. I love how right this feels and how happy we both are in this moment.

“What are you going to do to me,old man?”

“Well first, I’m going to tickle you.”

“You wouldn’t!” She gasps, looking over her shoulder at me in mock horror.

I don’t give her an answer. I start tickling her under her arms and her ribs. She squeals and squirms, trying to break free of my hold, but I don’t let up, not until I accidentally trip on something, and we land in the water and I jar my back.

When we both resurface, Dottie is on top of me and smiling down at me, and I forget the momentary bout of pain and focus on her.

Wet, strands frame her beautiful face as water drips from her nose and lips, urging me to take her mouth with mine. My mouth fuses with hers and my hand threads through her hair, bringing her closer to me.

We kiss like a couple of lovesick fools, like we can’t get enough of each other and when the sky opens up and the rain starts, I pull away from her and look at her.

Like really look at her.

This woman is mine.

The water drips off her collar, and I lift myself out of the water, bringing her with me. Hand in hand, we dart across the grass only to fall on the picnic blanket in a tangle of arms and legs.

“Damon, please.”