Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 81584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
I let out a huff of laughter as I rose. “You think that’s going to dry both of us off?”
“Enough,” he replied with a shrug.
“I don’t mind sharing.”
“You came prepared,” he commented, nodding to the bikini in my hand as he tossed the towel over his shoulder.
“Is there anywhere to change?”
“The bushes.”
“That’ll work,” I replied. “Lead the way.”
Pulling a flashlight out of his pocket, he turned it on and reached for me with his other hand. Our fingers laced together as he led me into the woods. I’d grown up with a father who didn’t take vacations, but he had taken me camping when we had long weekends, and the scent around us brought up a thousand memories. Eventually, Gray stopped.
“I’ll turn away,” he said, doing just that.
“Uh, okay.”
The knowledge of Gray standing just feet from me while I changed didn’t bother me at all. I knew he wouldn’t turn back around until I’d given the okay. But it still felt weird that we were out in the open.
I took a deep breath and pulled off my hoodie, looking around for somewhere to set it until I was done. Eventually I just laid it over Gray’s shoulder. He reached up instantly to secure it.
The rest of my clothes landed quickly on Gray’s shoulder, and he didn’t hesitate once as he held them each piece in place.
A year ago, I wouldn’t have bothered with a swimsuit. When was the last time I’d gone skinny-dipping? The answer was depressing.
When I finally told Gray he could turn back around I was standing there in nothing but my bikini and boots.
“Damn,” he breathed.
Blood rushed up my neck. “You’ve seen it all before.”
“But not with the boots,” he joked, his eyes crinkling in the corners.
“Shut up,” I mumbled as he reached for my hand again.
“I didn’t bring trunks,” he said as he led me toward the hot spring. “You mind if I’m in my boxers?”
“What would you do if the answer was no?” I asked curiously.
“Sit on the edge,” he replied easily.
“I don’t mind if you wear your boxers,” I said quietly.
He didn’t respond, just lifted our entwined hands and kissed the back of mine.
The spring was big enough for ten people to sit in comfortably. A wood platform had been built on one side, and stairs had been carved into the rock along the edge at an angle.
“How deep is it?” I asked, leaning down to take my boots and socks off.
“Four feet at the far edge,” he replied, undressing beside me. He didn’t set my clothes down until he’d already stripped his bottom half, laying my clothes carefully on top of his. “Three and a half on this side.”
I stepped in as he stripped off his sweatshirt and T-shirt in one movement. The water was hot enough that I had to inch in, letting my body become accustomed to the heat bit by bit. Once I was in, he slid in up to his shoulders.
“Ow,” I blurted, watching him wide-eyed as he reached out to turn off the flashlight.
“It’s not so bad.”
“Um, I’m in here,” I argued. “It is so bad.”
“Not any worse than a hot tub.”
“It’s hotter.”
He just hummed, leaning back until his head rested against the outside ledge.
I took the time to explore, dropping down gradually until the water covered my shoulders. It really wasn’t that bad once I was in it. The ground was sandy, with little pebbles that scratched if I didn’t step carefully. There was a ledge around the entire outer ring perfect for sitting. Eventually, I pulled myself onto it and curled my knees to my chest.
“How did you find this place?” I asked quietly. The dark woods were insulating, it felt like we were the only people in the whole world. I wondered if that’s why he’d brought me.
“An old friend brought me years ago,” he replied. “There were a ton of people here during the day, which wasn’t my thing. But I figured most of the city people wouldn’t want to try and find it in the dark, and I was right.”
“An old girlfriend?”
His eyes opened as he lifted his head to look at me.
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“Neither one of us were virgins,” he stated baldly.
“I know that.”
He tilted his head back again.
“I saw you with the blonde woman,” I confessed, looking out into the woods.
“Emma.”
I kept my mouth shut.
“Where?”
“Outside a restaurant. Twice actually. Different restaurants.”
“Why didn’t you say hello?”
I snorted so hard that my chin dipped under the water. Yeah, I should’ve just walked up to them the morning after I’d fucked her boyfriend and introduced myself.
“Ask what you wanna ask,” he said, looking over at me again.
“Why’d you fuck me if you’re with her?”
“I’m not with her.”
“Okay,” I replied quickly. My muscles were being soothed by the water, my mind was finally clear after so long. I was having a good time. I shouldn’t have even brought it up, and I was regretting it.