Chapter 32 – remi
Thirty-Two
remi
It’s the first time today, since my last hug with Valentina before she boarded her flight, that I haven’t felt sad. And to my absolute horror, it’s because of Thiago.
He isn’t trying to keep me talking, push for answers, or get into my pants. He’s just...here, giving me space, letting me decide whether I want to talk, and actually listening when I do.
Strangely enough, the quiet with him doesn’t make my skin itch or send me scrambling for a distraction. I don’t feel the need to turn on music or fill the silence with pointless noise. I can just stand here, breathe, and that’s enough.
The lake is beautiful, but I don’t think that’s why I feel lighter. I’m pretty sure it’s him, though I’m not ready to figure out what the hell it means.
I slip my hand from his and bend to untie my boots.
“Is there anything in this water that’s going to bite my toes off? Sharks? Alligators?”
He laughs. “This is a freshwater lake in Pennsylvania, Remi. Not Florida or Texas. I think your toes are safe.”
I side-eye him even though I know he makes sense.
“A girl can never be too sure. Besides,” I say, sitting at the edge of the pier and slowly dipping my feet into the cool water, “I need these toes to drive. And to put a boot to your neck when you get out of line.”
“Fair point.”
I splash water at him with my foot. “Never get too comfortable, Braga.”
He crouches beside me, resting his forearms on his knees as he watches the ripples spread across the lake.
“I wasn’t worried. You’ve threatened to kill me once or twice since we met. I’d be concerned if you stopped.”
“Just once or twice?”
His mouth twitches. “I may have lost count.”
For a few moments, neither of us says a word as the water laps gently against the posts beneath the dock. Somewhere in the distance, a frog croaks, followed by another. The sounds blend with the rustling trees and the occasional chirps of insects.
It’s dangerously peaceful.
“Thanks for this, by the way,” I say, gesturing around us. “I needed it. Needed to get out of my own head for a while.”
The teasing leaves his face, and his eyes warm as they meet mine. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”
“Maybe I do.”
He holds my gaze for a few seconds before looking back out at the water. “Anytime, Remi.”
I dip my head, trying to hide the corny smile pulling at my lips. “And you’re not as bad as I thought you’d be...for a pig.”
I’m starting to really like the sound of his laughter. He’s quite the sight, as big as he is, balancing in a crouch just to stay level with me.
“You got holes in your socks or something? The water feels great.”
“Nah. I just prefer my toes dry and not eaten by freshwater crocs.”
Panic shoots through me, and I yank my feet out of the water before I catch the grin on his face.
The asshole.
He laughs harder, and I roll my eyes.
“Ha ha. Very funny.”
My fingers fist around the collar of his shirt, and I tug him closer.
“But now I’m not sure which is the lie. I’m going to need a real-life test.”
His gaze drops to my hand gripping his shirt, and realization flashes across his face a second too late. With gravity on my side, I use his unstable position to my advantage and shove him straight into the lake. The splash of his massive body echoes across the water.
I quickly pull my feet back and grip the edge of the dock, peering over the side as I wait for him to resurface, completely pissed off. I know how to handle an angry Thiago. This softer version of him is becoming a problem I have no fucking clue what to do with.
Expecting him to pop up any second, I scan the dark water. When he doesn’t, my smile fades. Another few seconds pass, and my nails dig into the wood as my heart pounds.
“Thiago?” I lean farther over the edge, trying to see through the murky water, but there’s no sign of him.
Oh, fuck. What if he can’t swim?
I never even asked. I just assumed a man built like a fucking linebacker wouldn’t sink straight to the bottom of a lake.
“Thiago, this isn’t funny.”
The lake remains still.
“Thiago!”
The word barely leaves my mouth when he erupts from the water. His hands close around my shoulders, and I shriek as he yanks me off the dock.
The cold swallows me whole, stealing my breath before I kick toward the surface. When I break through, sputtering and gasping, Thiago is right in front of me, soaked and laughing so hard I’m surprised he can stay afloat.
“You asshole!” I shout, shoving water at his chest.
“You should’ve seen your face.”
“I thought you drowned!”
His smile only widens. “Good.”
I splash him again, sending a wave straight into his face. The bastard laughs harder, grabs my shirt, and pulls me flush against his chest. His feet are planted firmly on the lake floor, but mine can’t reach the bottom, so I wrap my legs around him and loop my arms behind his neck.
“You were worried about me.”
“Yeah. I just got arrested. You think I want another charge hanging over my head?” I tighten my hold on him. “That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Sure, fera.”
“What is it with you and that nickname?”
He brushes the tip of his nose against mine, droplets sliding between us.
“It suits you. Especially after you tried to drown me.”
“It’s not my fault you’re so damn big you sink like a brick.”
Our mouths graze, our breaths tangling together.
“Now I’m going to have to keep my phone in rice for a week.”
He catches a trickle from the corner of my lips with his tongue, and my nails rake lightly against his nape.
“Stop being a cheap bastard,” I murmur. “And upgrade to the waterproof version.”
“Says the trust fund baby.”
I burst out laughing, tipping my head back as he carries us toward the ramp. As I start to unwrap myself from him, he squeezes my thigh, shakes his head and smoothly tosses me over his shoulder.
“Thiago...”
With one hand on the dock and a small leap, he climbs out of the water. His grip on me never wavers as he bends to snatch up my boots with effortless ease.
Goddamn.
If I wasn’t already soaked, that little display of strength might have done the job.
Are you that easily impressed, Remi?
By him? Absolutely.
We reach his truck, and he pops open the tailgate before setting me down. My boots hit the ground, and when he turns away, I catch the front of his wet shirt and tug him back between my legs.
“This is the second time I’m completely dripping wet in your truck.” I press a kiss to his jaw.
His hands cup my face, and his mouth finds mine before I can tease him again.
Friends with benefits. It’s what we’re supposed to be, what we agreed to. What we need to be. Except right now, with his hands on me and the last of our laughter fading between kisses, it doesn’t feel nearly that simple.
I pop the button on his jeans and nip at the side of his throat. He laughs, and presses his forehead to mine, breathing hard.
“It’s just sex, Braga. Don’t overthink it.”
A rough laugh escapes him. “You have no idea how badly I want to fold you over this truck and fuck you until you cry for me, fera.”
I run my tongue across the corner of his mouth. “Do it.”
His eyes close briefly, then open again. “I don’t have a condom, baby,” he says against my lips. “So stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to ruin me...ruin my self-control.”
I smile. “Maybe I am.”
His hand slides around my throat, his breathing unsteady.
Fuck.
“Don’t test me, Remi.”
“Why?”
“Because when it comes to you, I’m starting to realize I can’t say no.”
I should make a joke. Deflect. Turn this into something I know how to handle before either of us says anything we can’t take back.
Instead, I reach for him, and he pulls me into his arms. I’ve spent most of my life making damn sure I never needed anyone to make me feel safe, but sitting here, wrapped around this man, I let myself feel it anyway.
“If you’re not going to fuck me, where’s that dinner you promised?”
His chest shakes with laughter. “I know just the place. And I am going to fuck you.”
I grin and let him pull me closer one last time before slipping from his grasp.
Dinner. Sex. No strings.
I can handle that. It’s everything else happening between us that I’m starting to worry about.