Page 70 of Her Mercenary

He slipped out of his boxers and turned to me.

I slapped my hands over my eyes like an idiot. “J—just turn around. Jesus, Roman.”

“What?” He chuckled. “See? Now we’re both naked.”

I heard the flop, flop, flop of balls against thighs as he playfully wiggled his midsection, followed by a full-blown laugh.

Another dramatic eye roll (from under the palm of my hand). “Are you sure you’re forty-two?”

“Yep, and all man.” Another flop, flop.

“God, you’re so—”

“Helpful?”

“No.” I sighed and shook my head. “Just turn around.”

Still chuckling, he turned.

Keeping one eye on his ass cheeks—which were glorious, by the way—I quickly stripped, pulling the T-shirt over my head and tossing it onto the ground.

“Keep turned around until I get to the water,” I said.

“Is this really necessary, Sam?”

“Yes.”

I darted across the rocks on my tiptoes and splashed into the water.

I exhaled, relishing the coolness washing over my skin. The water was the perfect temperature, not too warm, not too cold.

I felt a rush of happiness, a childlike joy as I threw myself into the water.

“You good?” he yelled over the splashing.

“Yes.” I squatted down, slipped to my butt—hiding all my bits—and splashed the water onto my face, feeling like a kid at the city pool on summer break. “Bring me the soap.”

I turned away as he waded into the water, offering him privacy that he didn’t demand.

“The pool is over here,” he said, extending his palm.

My hand slid into his. Keeping his eyes respectfully forward, Roman led me to the middle of the stream.

Goose bumps rippled over my skin as the water slowly rose up my body. The contrast of the cool water and the heat from his touch ignited every sexual sensor in my body. It was erotic, him guiding me naked down the stream, the moon lighting our way. It felt like primitive times, a man taking care of his woman. Guiding her, teaching her, protecting her.

And if I’m being honest, it was sexy as shit.

“There’s a drop-off a few feet ahead,” he said, “but you should be able to touch. I’ll wait here.”

This time I didn’t ask him to close his eyes. I banished my nerves, pulled my shoulders back, lifted my chin, and waded into the water ahead. The drop-off was sudden, and I allowed myself to fall, letting go. I dipped under the water and spun around, a smile on my face. I emerged like Ariel, sans the shell bikini top and abnormally perfect breasts.

Our eyes met.

Roman smiled, but this smile was different from the ones before. This smile gave me butterflies.

Wading, I tested the bottom with my feet. Once I was certain I could touch, I settled in, the water hitting just below my collarbone.

“Soap.” I held out my hand.