Page 33 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set

And then…her eyes. Emerald green with flecks of gold.

What is it about her that’s so intriguing? That has me thinking of her all the time? That has me wanting her body, but also her heart? I want to protect her from everything I learned from Miles but know I can’t. Fuck. She was taken. Stolen. Held against her will by some sick fuck for several years.

Carly may not know it, but she has a spine of steel to have survived something like that and still be sweet enough to show me this perfect spot. She’s at peace here, and fuck if I don’t want to always see her smile like she is right now.

She gave this spot to me as a gift. I want to give her gifts like this in return, but I don’t know how. I’m barely a cowboy. I’m a fly boy who’s grounded.

Still, she brought me here. Me. Not Miles. Not Chance.

Me.

“Where does this come from?” I crouch down to look closely.

She shrugs and looks off into the distance. “Beats me. My best guess is that it’s an offshoot from Big Salmon Creek. I tried to follow it once, but the terrain gets too rocky in places.” She leans down and pools some of the clear water in her hands. “It’s fresh and cool. I’ve always wanted to taste it, but I haven’t.”

“Man, I could sure use a dowsing after the morning I’ve had.” I stand and pull my T-shirt over my head without thought.

Carly’s eyes widen at my chest.

“Oh.” I shove the T-shirt back on. “I’m sorry.” Shit. I fucked it up.

“For what?” Her eyes are wide and she licks her lips. “You look amazing. Take it off, Austin. Get in. I agree, you’re a mess. Rinse off.”

I’m unsure, because what if I somehow push her too far without even touching her? I had my hands on her the other night and she was fine. But what Miles said…

She seems fine. Gave me consent to continue.

I decide to wing it. She’s not a nun who hasn’t seen a bare chest before. “I’ve got to tell you,” I admit, “a shower under that waterfall sounds like heaven.” I sit down on a small boulder and peel off my boots and socks. I’m ready to strip off the jeans and skivvies, when I turn to Carly. “You okay?”

She huffs. “I wish people would stop asking me that. I’m fine. Please don’t be one of them, Austin. Take it off. Take it all off.”

Then she laughs, and I swear to God it’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. Sweeter even than the rushing water.

I remove my jeans but stop at my forest green boxer briefs, totally aware of my hardening cock, because when a woman says take it all off, a man’s going to get fucking hard. When it’s Carly and she’s watching me? Fuck.

I step into the pool. Boxers on.

It’s cool but not freezing. Perfect. I walk in farther, and the water hits me right above my waist. I splash some over my chest and face, and then I stride to the waterfall.

I let out a small groan and close my eyes. It’s quite a bit colder than the standing water. But damn it feels good, and it also takes care of my erection problem.

Not for long, though.

“How is it?” Carly yells above the rush of the fall.

“It’s amazing. You should come in.” Shit. Bad move. “Or not. I didn’t mean—”

“Oh, shut up, Austin. I’m coming in. I didn’t come all this way to look at the water.”

I glance away to give her privacy even though I want to watch her more than I want my next breath.

Until I can’t help myself.

I step out of the fall, rub the water out of my eyes, and take a good long look because I’m only a man and she’s...

Fuck.

Her bra.