Chapter 30 #2
“That’s not a good idea,” I yell at him. “You can’t see the ground.”
I rise for a better look, my arms hugging my front. I can’t see anything either.
Moments later, the grass shifts and he steps back through it. As he struts closer, I sink further into the water.
He’s still dripping wet from the chase, water trickling down his body. Moonlight brushes over him, turning his bare body into something half dream, half nightmare.
His cock hangs, soft and resting against his thigh. Not that I should even notice or be glancing down there. Not when I’m cowering in the water, half-hiding, with every bit of me tucked safely beneath the surface.
His hands are empty. Like that’s where I’m looking. He stands before me with an unapologetic nakedness that leaves me both captivated and unsettled. It’s an intimacy I’m not prepared for, and yet, I find myself unable to look away.
“Anything?” I ask.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
He shakes his head.
“Where are the clothes you bought?”
“Gone.”
“Gone?”
He nods and if I were closer I’d punch him in the stomach again.
“Stopping here was a great idea,” I snicker, forgetting the truce we made not fifteen minutes ago.
He smirks at my snappiness or the flushed embarrassment that follows.
“I’ll check the truck. Maybe Ma has something in there to cover you up.”
“Thanks.” I shiver.
He turns and strides toward the truck. My eyes flicker from watching him to the water around me.
Then he’s back, shaking his head. “Just this.” He holds up his Stetson.
“What are we supposed to do now?”
His lips twitch as if he’s about to say something, but then he gives me a helpless look.
“We’re going home like this, aren’t we?”
“Unless you want to call your sisters?”
I shake my head.
“I could call my brothers.”
“Hell, no. Can you imagine the rumors they would spread around town?”
He quirks an eyebrow up. “Can I imagine the rumors?”
“Right.” I clear my throat. “All the rumors I’ve spread about you.”
“There’s been a couple.”
“To be fair, I didn’t know they would latch on quite the way they did.”
“Is this your idea of an apology?”
“I feel like that’s the best you’ll get. I’m not good at apologies because I’m rarely wrong.”
He laughs. “Half-ass apology accepted, and if we’re lucky, no one will be at the campground when we get back.”
I shoot him a glare, but it’s hard to stay mad when he’s standing there, soaking wet and completely naked. Then he’s walking toward me. Not a lick of self-consciousness or insecurity.
“Here.” His arm stretches the distance between us, holding out his hat.
I take it. “Thank you. Now turn around and walk ahead.”
He smirks at me.
“This isn’t enough to cover all of me, so just don’t look until I’m in the truck.”
“You really think I’m going to look? That my ma didn’t raise a better gentleman in me?”
I swear I hear that grumpy ass man chuckle as he walks away. I give him a good few feet head start, his back turned, before I start inching my way toward the truck.
The entire process is ridiculous. I half-walk, half-crouch as I make my way to the truck, shielding myself with whatever’s left of my dignity.
I try to climb into the seat with as much grace as I can muster. Which means I jump in, cross my legs, buckle in, and cover my breasts with the hat.
“You good in there?”
I suppress the urge to groan.
“Yes. Get in, but don’t look at me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The door opens and I don’t look as he slides into the seat and starts the engine.
I keep my eyes fixed on the passing landscape, trying not to think about the fact that I’m naked beside him—Hart-fucking-Wilde
We drive in silence, and it feels like it takes forever before we finally pull into the campground. The place is dead quiet with no sign of anyone.
“You can stay here.” Hart doesn’t look at me. “I’ll go set up the booth.”
“That’ll only raise questions. I’ll be quick.”
“Wait here.” He’s out of the truck before I can reply.
I watch him bolt to the campfire and grab a couple of blankets. Pale beams skim over his ass cheeks, but it doesn’t stop him.
He wraps a blanket around himself and brings the other to me. I open the door a crack, and he slips it through. Our hands brush, and that touch sends heat straight through me.
“Thanks.”
“I’ll meet you back here.” He struts away, leaving me confused.
What the hell just happened between us?
I don’t give myself a chance to overthink any of the night. I rush into the RV, find some clothes, and meet Hart back at the truck. It’s awkward and weird. Without fighting, we’re quiet with nothing much to say.
When we get to the booth, the mayor barks so many orders that it doesn’t give us time to talk for the rest of the evening. Probably a good thing. And it’s a long evening cleaning the booth and setting it back up.
By the time we get back to the RV, I crash and struggle to drag myself out the next morning. Things aren’t any better between us.
“So, nice weather today,” I say when we bump into each other behind the tent.
I immediately regret it.
He glances up and shrugs. “Yeah. Sunny.”
“Big fan of the sun. Really bright.” I sound like an idiot.
“Classic sun. Always showing off.” He chuckles as he walks away.
I turn and catch Natalie staring at me, looking as horrified as I feel. The mayor and our mamas spend the day with us, supervising. The matchmakers pop in and out, trying to work their magic, only to have the mayor shoo them away.
It’s awkward.
It’s weird.
It’s painful and feels like the day will never end. When it does, I’m ready to go to the RV and have a night to myself.
That doesn’t happen.
“Look what I got you for tonight.” Josie hands me a bag. “Actually, don’t look. Just go put it on. Everyone gets one.”
I glance across the campsite at Hart. I try not to, but since when has that ever worked? Dean hands out the same bags to his brothers.
“What are we doing tonight?” I ask.
Please be something quick and easy. In and out.
The grin she gives me tells me otherwise. “It’ll be fun. I promise.”
I don’t believe her.