Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)(52)

My face flushed with warmth. I wanted more than anything to believe that AJ was sincere in what he said about my body, but I had too many years of self-loathing ingrained in me. With desire and admiration glimmering in his eyes, I crooked my finger, beckoning him to me. As he rose up from the ground, his gaze locked in on mine as I gave him a truly grateful smile. “Thank you, AJ.”

“You’re welcome,” he murmured, pushing long strands of hair out of my face.

I ducked my head down to press a lingering kiss against his chest above his heart. Even under my lips, I could feel the strong beat of his heart—one that was so amazingly kind and giving. I peeked up at him through the shroud of hair covering my face. “In spite of all the joking and innuendo, you sure do know how to make a girl feel wanted.”

He grinned down at me. “I’m glad you’re finally realizing how magnificent I am, both in and out of the bedroom.”

At his cockiness, I sank my teeth into the skin where I had once tenderly kissed. AJ yelped and jumped back. “Mia Martinelli, did you just bite me?” He rubbed his chest while giving me a pouty face. “What a waste. I mean, it wasn’t even a love bite either.”

I giggled. “Yeah, well, that will teach you to make douche comments when I’m being genuine,” I replied as I stepped out of my shorts.

At the sight of me in my bra and panties, AJ’s expression switched over to one of pure lust. After I tossed my shorts on the bank, I wagged my finger at him. “Just swimming, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grunted.

Brushing past him, I made my way deeper into the water. The further I walked into the stream, the deeper my toes sank into the squishy mud. When I realized AJ had yet to join me, I glanced over my shoulder. I spied AJ shoving his wallet back in his shorts. The blazing sun caught the gold foil wrapper, and I giggled in spite of myself. After I recovered, I called, “I would think swimming protection would include a life vest and sunscreen, not a condom.”

He used his free hand to scratch the back of his neck. I could tell he was waging war with himself as to whether to bring it with him or drop it back on the pile of clothes.

Turning around in the water, I crossed my arms over my breasts. “Do I turn you on so much that you can’t imagine taking a harmless swim without us banging?”

He rolled his eyes. “There’s a difference between not being able to control myself and just not wanting to, Mia. Is it that hard for you to understand that I want you twenty-four seven?”

His words sent a tingle rippling through me, but I shook my head. “Bring it here.”

AJ took a few trudging steps towards me, sending water splashing around us. When I held out my hand, he reluctantly slipped the condom in it. “Thank you.” When I shoved the wrapper inside one of my bra cups, AJ’s mouth curved up in a smirk. “What?” I questioned with a shrug.

“I thought you were going to toss it.”

“Now what a waste that would be.” Stepping forward, I grabbed the waist band of his boxers, jerking him to me. “But I will make one thing clear. I get to come at least once or twice before you get to use this.”

AJ grinned. “I have no problem with that.”

“Good.” I adjusted my bra cup, making sure the condom was held firmly in place. Once it was fixed, I continued walking into the stream until I was at chest level. “I’m going in,” I said, before I dove under the water.

Kicking my arms and legs, I swam closer to the waterfall. When I resurfaced, I brushed my damp hair out of my face and wiped my eyes. Glancing around, there was no sign of AJ.

“AJ?” I questioned. As I turned left and right in the water, desperately searching for him, my heart started to beat faster in fear.

Something brushed against me before I was jerked under by my feet. Kicking my legs, I fought against it to find my way to the surface. When AJ popped up behind me, I squealed and clutched my heart. “You shithead!” I cried, splashing his face with water.

He chuckled before wrapping his arms around me. “Did you think I’d been eaten by some river monster, and it was after you, too?”

“No, I didn’t,” I huffed. Pushing against his chest, I tried wiggling out of his embrace. When he kept his grip tight around me, I shook my head. “Don’t think you’re going to get any loving from me after you pulled that douche move.”

“Aw, I’m sorry for scaring you, amorcito mio. Let me make it up to you, okay?” AJ brought his lips to mine. As he deepened the kiss, my resolve slowly faded, and I melted into him. Pulling away, he cocked his brows at me. “Forgiven?”

I smiled. “Yes, forgiven.”

“Good. Let’s go swim over there where our feet can touch the bottom.”

“Okay.” Spreading my arms out, I kicked with my feet and followed AJ’s steady strokes across the water. As we got closer to the rock formations, I could see the water was growing shallower. But when I put my feet down, the water was still chin level. “I think I’m a little vertically challenged for this.”

AJ laughed. “Come here. I’ll help you since I got a few inches on you.” He waggled his eyebrows. “In more ways than one.”

I rolled my eyes as he pulled me against him. “Lame, Resendiz. Very, very lame.”

“I had to go there. Now wrap your sexy legs around my waist.”