Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“Hop in. I’ll go set up our picnic.” With a wink, he smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t peek.”
I looked at the hot spring and then back at him with some disappointment lacing my heart. “Don’t you want to get in too?”
“Well, since we don’t have suits, I thought I would give you your privacy and let you have it to yourself.”
Seriously? I’d felt his cock pressing against me during our ride. He was being a gentleman, but I wasn’t interested in chivalry at the moment. I’d asked, but he evidently needed more than a verbal invitation.
He was so different than his brothers who seemed extremely comfortable simply taking what they wanted. Banks took his time, and as much as I liked that part of his personality, I also didn’t know how to handle him. With Jay and Rye I didn’t have to be patient. With Banks… I seemed to always be waiting for what was next. A level of suspense surrounded this man.
He seemed to always be watching. Almost as if he was on a hunt and I was his prey.
Totally nude, I paused before getting into the water. “How hot is this? Are you sure it’s meant for us to get into? I remember reading about a couple and their dog that got burned alive because they jumped into a hot spring.” I wasn’t even willing to dip my toe in to test the water now that I remembered that story.
He managed a smile. “Trust me. I brought you here to relax, not boil you for supper.”
“I don’t know. I seem to recall being threatened and kidnapped. I was told to fear for my life.” I locked my eyes onto his, using the last bit of ammo in my arsenal. “Then again, words are easy to say. Maybe the truth of the matter is I have nothing to fear? Maybe you and your brothers aren’t the vicious bears of the forest.”
“Don’t delude yourself,” he said, giving a pause before he shook his head. “You have surprised me, Goldie. I had no idea how much of an effect you’d have on me.” Banks started removing his clothes, and it was my turn to watch. “I’ll get in first, just to show you.”
18
Goldie
This was the first time I’d seen him in all his glory, and his body did not disappoint. Muscled, lean, and obvious this was a mountain man who worked his land. He wasn’t just a steroid-using meat head who lived at the gym, and yet his body was in just as good of shape if not better. You could bounce a coin off any part of his flesh.
“Goldie?”
“Hmmm?”
I jerked my head up to see him smirking and holding out his hand. “I asked if you wanted me to help you in?”
“Definitely,” I said, knowing I was ready for so much more than stepping into the water. Our fingers entwined, we entered the spring together, and I moaned. “Oh my God, this is amazing,” I moved farther into the pool beside him.
“Aww, this is exactly what my body needed,” he sighed as he released my hand and lowered himself.
I tried to conceal my smile. I couldn’t help but have images of what my body really wanted and needed from Banks.
He looked up at me, an eyebrow cocked and a grin on his lips. “What are you doing still standing there, and what are you smiling about?”
My smile grew larger as I shrugged in response, words totally escaping me. I felt a tug and realized he’d taken my hand again, pulling me down to sit beside him. I groaned again as the liquid covered my body.
Banks ran his wet hand through his hair, slicking it back. “I think we’re going to have to make a habit of this.”
He moved his body closer, and just the brush of his leg against mine increased the heat surrounding me. If I got much hotter, I’d definitely be boiling over.
“I know we’ve been away a lot, but hopefully that will die down soon. We’ve got the land in pretty good shape, and we wanted to make sure we were set up for winter—”
“You don’t need to make excuses. I know how busy you’ve been. But…”
“But what?” His hands encircled my waist, positioning my body so that he could move up behind me. Strong fingers began to massage my neck and shoulders. His hands were hard but gentle at the same time. The rubbing turned my body to jelly, but I still couldn’t relax totally. Regardless of my response, my need, I had to know.
“Are you sure you all aren’t avoiding me? Ever since you kissed me that day… and that night with Jay and then Rye, you all seem to dodge me every chance you get. Do you think I’m a total whore?”
Banks stopped massaging and when I looked over my shoulder, I saw him raking his fingers through his hair again. “Hell no. I don’t think you are a whore at all. None of us do. My brothers and I have an understanding. We’ve had long conversations about this as we tend to the fields or chop wood.”