One Look: A grumpy, single dad small town romance(12)

I realized my hand had dipped below the waterline, and I snatched it up. What the hell was wrong with me? Wyatt was practically a stranger, and I was spying on him like a total creep.

Still, when he waded into the water and his gorgeous body dipped below the surface, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed for losing the view. Wyatt dove under the water, disappearing completely and heaving me back into reality. If he swam any closer, he would definitely find me spying on him.

Shit!

As he splashed to the surface, I looked around. I could exit out the other side of the rocks, but my clothes were still hidden in a pile near his. There was no way I could slip away without him catching me.

I just had to wait him out.

I bit my lip and sneaked another peek. My foot inched forward. The soggy lake bottom gave way, and something slimy wriggled beneath my feet.

A very loud, very unladylike shriek burst from my chest, rattling the peaceful forest.





6





WYATT





When you’re bare-ass naked and you hear a shriek that sounds like it came from the depths of hell, I dare you to not piss yourself. I scanned the area and almost immediately saw the source of the scream.

From behind a rocky outcropping, Lark thrashed around, splashing water in every direction. “It touched me! Something touched me!”

My hands flew to my junk before I realized I was hidden below the water. Lark moved toward the center of the lake, her bare shoulders peeking just above the surface.

My heart rate slowed as I realized there was nothing dangerous, only Lark Butler, the woman my aunt had paid to cry at Bowlegs’s funeral.

After seeing her at the bakery, had I pried every ounce of information from Lee? You’re damn right I did. He was reluctant to tell me, but once he started talking, he spilled everything. Tootie felt bad that the feud between the Sullivans and the Kings meant the attendance at the services was likely to be scarce, so she and Bug had conspired to hire someone to mourn him.

My mind still couldn’t wrap itself around the type of person who would choose lying at funerals as a profession.

Clearly, someone who isn’t one with nature, if Lark was any indication.

When I’d decided to take a dip in old Wabash Lake after my run, I hadn’t planned on an audience. A cocky part of me wondered how much she had seen and whether or not she liked the view.

I trudged bare-assed toward Lark.

“Calm the hell down. What happened?”

She turned toward me, pink flaming her cheeks. “Something in the water. It . . . touched me.”

I stifled a laugh. “Probably a fish or a turtle. This time of year they nest near the rocks. What are you doing here anyway?”

The pink in her cheeks deepened to crimson.

Oh yeah. She definitely got an eyeful.

“Well, um . . . I was going for a walk and I heard something and kind of freaked out.” Lark brushed a wet strand of hair behind her ear and lifted her chin.

I gestured toward the shoreline. “Well, by all means. Since you’re out of danger.”

She rolled her eyes and expelled her breath in a huff. “Just get out.”

“I’m not getting out.” I was just starting to enjoy this. I knew she was trying to get under my skin at the bakery, so I could do the same to her. Her small nostrils flared once.

Lark crossed her arms, pushing the tops of her breasts to the surface of the water.

Oh shit. Is she naked?

She clearly recognized a challenge as I stared her down. “You get out.”

I crossed my arms. “Oh, I’m not getting out.”

“Well, I . . . I can’t. I’m . . . nude.”

My jaw shifted. I knew it.

The water droplets rolled lazily down the slope of her shoulder, and I could only imagine the tight little body that was just below the surface. I reined in the flash of desire after my dick started perking up.

“So you got scared and your immediate reaction was to get naked and get into the water?”

Her mouth popped open, and she quickly snapped it shut. “I was already naked, all right?” She grunted in frustration. “It’s hot outside. I didn’t think you would be here. Plus, you had the same idea!” When she gestured toward me, a small wall of water splashed my way, but I sidestepped to dodge it.

I lifted my chin, but Lark only held my stare in defiance. “Fine. I won’t look. But don’t forget, you creeped on me. I think it’s only fair.” I moved my head toward the shoreline. “Ladies first.”

Her jaw flexed, but then a wicked grin spread slowly across her face. I didn’t actually think she’d take the dare, and I wasn’t so much of a prick that I would force her to get out of the water when she was naked. I was just messing around.

Mostly.

When she tipped up one eyebrow, I knew I was done for.

Oh man. I think I fucked up.

Moving through the water, Lark shouldered her way past me despite having the entire lake to move around. Rivulets of water sluiced down her smooth back as she made her way toward the edge. My eyes followed as the flowing water lines nipped in at her waist and flared out as her bare bottom came into view. It was muscular and round.

Fucking perfect.

If my dick wasn’t paying attention before, it was at full salute and hailing the world’s most perfect ass.