Page 80 of Snowbound

“I don’t fancy it, you swearin’ like that,” I said, my voice low.

“I don’t like it when you tell me what to do.”

I twirled the towel into a rope and gave her a quick snap to thebackside. She squealed, her cheeks turning pink. “Yes, you do. Now fetch your towel—we’re off to the creek.”

She rolled her eyes, but she went. I grabbed a plastic grocery bag and tossed in some basic food I’d pulled together—sandwiches, grapes, and a bag of chips.

We were still pretending then. Still playing at brother and sister, and it was my job to keep her safe and fed.

Harmless.

I hadn’t touched her. Hadn’t kissed her. Hadn’t said one thing out of line.

But it was there—the tension, radiating off both of us.

The fucking longing. I wanted her so damn bad it was killing me.

I sat on the bank, eating half a sandwich, watching her swim through the water.

Smiling to myself.

Hard as hell.

And she didn’t even know it.

Everything about her was graceful. She was funny. Smart.

She knew me better than anyone ever had.

“Are you coming in or what?” she called, splashing water toward the shore. “You don’t want me to be all alone out here.”

“I don’t think you want me to come in,” I muttered.

“Why not?”

“Because if I do, I’m going to fuckin’ dunk you.”

“There you go with your language again.”

God, she was so fucking cute.

Hair in her eyes. Lips parted. This girl—half woman, half innocent—called to me in a way no one else ever had.

“Fine,” I said. “But you better start swimming.”

She let out a high-pitched squeal and took off in the water like she had a chance.

She didn’t. She was terrible. Kept herself afloat, but just barely. Slow as hell.

Me? I swam varsity in high school until they got too good for me.

Or maybe I got too distracted.

Didn’t matter. I still loved it, and I was damn good.

I stood, then walked to the edge of the creek…

And dove.