Sincerely, The Puck Bunny (Totally Pucked #2)(11)

“Don’t… don’t look at me like that,” she whispers.

“Like what?”

She sucks in a gulp of air before rasping, “Like strangers shouldn’t look at each other.”

“Maddison…” I start, but she stops me by placing her finger over my lips.

“Can I be honest with you?"

My heart pounds in my chest, and my throat feels thick at her sudden question.

"Always."

She turns completely toward me and draws her legs to her chest before resting her chin on them. "This is the first conversation I've had in as long as I can remember where it feels real. Where it's not some guy I met on a dating app that feels like he has to lie about everything to impress me. It just feels... sincere. And I don’t even know your last name.”

"I know exactly what you mean. It’s been a long time since I felt like I could… I dunno just talk with someone the way we did tonight.”

We’ve almost finished off the bottle of tequila, and I’ve lost track of how late it’s gotten. Hell, I haven’t even glanced at the clock once since she sat down next to me.

“Can I be honest with you?” I ask. Leaning in closer, my heart pounds as I wait for her reply.

She nods. “Always.”

“I’m not ready for this night to end with you.”

Her lips part and her tongue darts out to wet them. “Me either.”

“I have an idea. Will you trust me?”

“Should I? Trust you? We’re strangers… remember?” she counters, calling me on the fact that I’m asking a girl I’ve spent less than an entire day with to give me her trust, even though I’ve spent the past two years pushing everyone away.

Trusting no one after my trust had been shattered.

“True. But, what if I promise to be on my best behavior for the rest of the night?”

Pulling back, she stays silent, and I can practically see the wheels in her head turning.

“Fine. One night, Romeo.”

One night’s all I need.





Five





"You're crazy. Absolutely insane."

I shrug. "Maybe. Maybe not. But you're still getting in this water.”

We’re standing on the old wooden dock behind the inn that overlooks a massive lake. It’s dark as hell since the moonlight is still hidden behind the now calm clouds in the sky, but it’s faint enough to make out her features. The water is completely black and still.

“No way. There is absolutely no way that I am getting in that water. None. Look, I’m a lake girl, true. But I draw the line at water that’s so black you can’t see the bottom. Nope.”

I smirk. “Oh? Ms. Competitive is actually a… chicken? Wow, Maddison, I didn’t peg you for the kind of girl who backs down from a dare.”

I reach behind my head and grab my shirt and pull it over my head, then toss it aside. Her eyes drag down my body, pausing at my abs and the sharp lines of the V that dips into my jeans. She doesn't take her eyes off of me as I flick the button of my jeans undone and drag them down my hips. Only when I’m left in nothing but a pair of tight black briefs and my gaze locks with hers, does she squeeze her eyes shut and groan.

"Oh my God, are we seriously doing this? I didn’t peg you for the kind of guy who wants to go skinny dipping in the dead of night where there’s a high chance that something in that water is going to eat us."

“Pretty sure there’s absolutely nothing in that water that’s going to eat you, but I mean, if you’re too scared, well then...” I trail off and then walk to the end of the dock, pull my briefs down my hips and kick them to the side.

I hear a sharp hiss behind me and grin. I’m an all-in kinda guy. Looking back over my shoulder, I wink at her, then dive headfirst into the black water. It’s a tad bit chilly since it’s late August, but it feels fucking amazing.

I kick to the surface and shake my hair out before yelling, “Get your cute ass in this water.”

Treading water off the side of the dock, I pray she gives into my teasing and joins me, because all I want is a few more minutes with this girl that’s stirring a feeling I haven’t felt in so long inside my chest.

"Guess I’m going to have to tell everyone that you’re the loser.”

She scowls at me, before crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine. But if I die, it’s on your conscience.”

She looks around nervously then toes off her flats and pulls the baggy tee over her head, revealing a black lace bra. Her hips are wide and full, and I mentally add it to another thing that I’m attracted to when it comes to her. She looks like she would bend and not break if I had my way with her body. There’s nothing sexier than a woman with something for me to hold. Her supple breasts threaten to spill from the cups of lace that cage them in. Never in my life have I wanted to sink my teeth so badly in something. Just to see if the flush of her rosy nipples matches the one on her cheeks.

Her fingers hook into the waistband of her leggings and she tugs them slowly down her hips. While doing so, her eyes never leave mine. It feels like a show. Her baring herself to me without hesitation. Even though my intention was only to spend more time with her.

But if this is the direction it’s headed, I’m not fucking stopping it.