Chapter 10

Griffin

My arm has horse shit on it. I should be gagging, but instead, I'm on my knees washing it in the lake trying to keep myself distracted from looking at a nearly naked Anya.

When she first fell off the horse, my heart sank, thinking she hurt herself. As I rushed over, it took all my willpower not to burst out laughing when I saw her lying in a pile of horse shit. But now that I know she's undressing behind me, it's not so funny.

The urge to turn around has me physically shaking. Being around her all day has been difficult enough. Ever since she put herself out there, it's hard for me to concentrate on anything else. I replay that night in my head constantly and each time it ends with me claiming her full lips. Now, she just steps away from me, wet, in nothing but her bra and panties.

I deserve a fucking medal for keeping my distance.

"Griffin."

Shit, I can't ignore her, but if I turn around my promise to Callum will be shot to hell.

"Griffin?"

Fuck.

I stand up, still keeping my back to her and wipe my wet arm with my hand. "What's up?"

"I need your help."

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out images of what I'd like to help her with. Like slamming my lips to hers while I pull her wet body against mine or helping her out of the thin material she has left on.

I haven't looked at her and I know without a doubt that she looks sexy as hell. It's killing me trying to do the right thing. Physically and mentally.

If I hadn't made that damn promise I would've kissed her and I'd be in the water with her right now and she'd be asking for my help to give her the relief she's desperate to get.

"Nevermind," she mumbles.

Christ. I scrub my face and turn around. Worst mistake of my life.

Anya is in the water, which is not doing a good job of covering her. I can see her hard nipples poking out of her bright-pink bra. Her long hair is dripping wet, causing drops of water to roll down her gorgeous face.

She takes my breath away.

I clear my throat as I try to keep my eyes on hers instead of her incredibly sexy body. "What do you need?"

Please, say me.

"It's fine. I was just going to ask if I got it all," she says, glancing down at herself.

Now because I took so long to acknowledge her, she thinks I didn't want to see her. Which is the complete opposite of what I'm feeling.

I let my eyes roam over her and the look of hurt is back on her beautiful face. Frustrated, I kick off my sneakers and unbuckle my jeans, making a pile with my now discarded clothes.

I walk toward the water and her moss-green eyes widen. "What are you doing?"

I wish I could tell her the need I have to be close to her right now is undeniable, but I don't. Instead I grin as I step into the water. "I'm making sure you're poop free before you get out."

That medal I said I should receive, is now sinking to the bottom of this lake as my dick moves higher.

I should stop eye-fucking her, but if I'm honest, she's doing the same to me. I can feel her gaze burning into my flesh as she takes in every inch of me. It's turning me on more, which I didn't think was possible.

She laughs, shaking her head as I get closer. "I didn't mean you should get in the lake."

I reach her and our eyes lock. "I know you didn't, Anya," I whisper, moving a piece of wet hair off her cheek.

My eyes bounce between hers and her breathing picks up, matching my own. She blushes and it's incredibly sexy seeing the effect on her. I allow my eyes to drag over her, making sure she's clean, but slightly taking advantage of the situation as I burn her near naked body to memory.

"You look good, Anya." My eyes move back to hers and I can see the lust there. "Real fucking good," I whisper.

She visibly swallows and I should fight it harder. I should walk out of this lake and just allow things to stay the way they are. I shouldn't push the limits or cross any lines.

"Fuck this," I growl, sinking my fingers into her wet hair and pressing my lips to hers.

Her full lips are soft as silk against mine. I run my tongue against the seam of her mouth and she gives me the access I'm seeking. Our tongues touch and it's electric.

I deepen the kiss as I tighten my hold in her hair and she lets out a soft moan that sends a shot straight to my dick. My hands trail down her back and into the water, resting on her round ass. I push my hard cock against her and we both moan at the connection.

I've fantasized about kissing her since I rejected her and in every one of those fantasies, it was never this good. Not even remotely close.

Her skin against mine feels like silk. Her hard nipples rubbing on my bare chest is making my dick incredibly hard. The way her tongue dances with mine is like a promise for more.

My fingers sink into her ass as we both get lost in this explosive kiss. Her hands move up and down my back, searing my skin even in this cool water.

I won't be able to walk away from her after this. I can't.

I've never felt what I feel right now.

Never more turned on.

Never more connected.

Never more alive.

Fuck, what is she doing to me?

Just as I think it, I feel her hands on my shoulders and she pushes away from me. Her eyes wide as she reaches up, touching her swollen lips.

She shakes her head, backing away from me. "You're just doing this because you feel guilty."

"Anya."

"No, no, I don't want your pity kiss."

I move toward her, grabbing lightly onto her arm to stop her from moving further away. "Anya, I don't give out pity kisses. I don't let guilt blindly lead me into something I'll regret." I move my hands into her hair and search her green eyes. "I didn't kiss you because you tried kissing me. I kissed you because I needed it. I didn't just want it, I needed it. That was as real as it gets, don't ever question that."

I can hear my phone ringing, but I ignore it, keeping my focus on her.

"Your phone is ringing," she says.

"You're more important."

She tilts her head slightly as her eyes soften. "Griffin," she breathes out.

My phone rings again and we both look over at it.

"Go," she insists.

"No." I shake my head. "I'm not walking away this time while you question what happened."

My phone rings again and now I know it's something important. No one would call this many times if it wasn't. I search her eyes, hoping she'll say she knows this was real, hoping she'll say anything, because rushing out of this water without her understanding will kill me.

"You felt how turned on I was. How could you question that?"

She blows out a breath. "I know." She nods and grabs my upper arm. "I know, Griffin."

I grin, but before I can say anything, my phone is ringing again.

"Fuck."

We both rush out of the water toward my jeans and I grab my phone out of my pocket, and I answer it.

"Griffin?" a voice I recognize says.

My eyes slide to Anya as I say, "Tripp?"

"What's wrong?" she whispers.

I shrug, focusing back on the call. "Something wrong?"

"Listen, I need help and I can't call my parents or any of my brothers. I'm at the police station and I need someone to pick me up," he says.

My eyes widen as I snap my head to Anya. "The police station. What the fuck did you do, Tripp?"

Anya rushes over grabbing her clothes, so I begin pulling mine on too. We're both wet, but we have no choice.

"Please, Griff. My family can't find out. I'm begging for your help here."

"It's gonna be a little bit, but I'll get there as fast as I can."

I hang up and pocket my phone, walking over to Anya.

She pulls her shirt on as I step next to her. "What did he do?"

"I don't know, he didn't say. He doesn't want any of you to know," I say.

She gives a humorless laugh and climbs back up onto Silver. "Too bad. Let's go get him."

I climb back onto Honey and we begin the trek back to the ranch. "Anya, are we going to talk about what happened?"

Her eyes slide to mine and she raises an eyebrow. "I think getting my little brother out of the slammer is more important."

Anger I have no right to feel, burns through me. I just risked everything putting myself out there to her and she acts like it was nothing.

"I'll meet you at the car," she says, her horse taking off in a quick gallop.

I trot Honey and he takes off, kicking up dust behind him.

Fucking Tripp ruining the moment.

Fucking Callum and his promise.

Fucking Atwoods are killing me.