7. Wyatt

7

wyatt

T here aren’t many reasons I’ll strip down and willingly jump into the frigid waters of Strawberry Falls in the dead of winter, but apparently, this damn competition is one of them.

And that I’m going to get to see Josie in a bathing suit when I’ve imagined her wearing less far too many times in the last three days since our kiss.

That damn kiss.

It’s fucked with my head, and even when I’ve tried to stop thinking about it, about Josie, I couldn’t.

She’s invaded my every thought since that night, and hell, even invaded my dreams.

That kiss was… incredible. It was like coming home . So much more than I dreamed it would be, and I’m desperate for another one.

But after the kiss that night at the rink, she shut down, pulled away, and skated away so fast that I was worried she would trip. So honestly, I have no idea where her head is at or where things stand between us.

All I know is that I want her. Truly, despite all the years apart, I’ve never stopped wanting her.

That kiss only solidified what, deep down, I already knew: Josie’s mine. She always has been. And if I have anything to do with it, she always will be.

Maybe she doesn’t realize that yet or is too scared to admit it, but I’m going to do everything I can to prove to her that taking a second chance with me is worth it. There’s no damn way that she doesn’t feel the chemistry we have when we’re together. It’s even stronger now that we’re no longer fumbling teenagers. And I know that I can’t be the only one that feels this way.

I texted her earlier and asked if she wanted me to pick her up for tonight’s task, but she thanked me and said that her brother offered to drop her off on the way to town. I know her well enough to know this is her way of creating distance between us.

Except that’s the problem. All the time that’s passed, all the miles and distance between us… still hasn’t changed how it feels when we’re together.

If anything, now it makes it feel like there’s a magnetic pull drawing us closer.

I slam the door of my truck after parking in the lot outside of Strawberry Falls. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this packed before; nearly every spot is filled. I scan the parking lot for Josie, but I don’t see her yet, so I put the towel under my arm and lock my truck before making my way down to the falls.

It’s not quite dark yet, but the sun has begun to set, dusk settling over the sky. And with the sun going down, so has the temperature.

It’s cold as shit out here. Why the hell are we doing a polar plunge at the coldest part of the day? My balls are shriveling just thinking about it.

On my walk down to the falls, a few guys from high school stop me for small talk, but I keep it short, my mind only on finding Josie.

Finally, I spot her talking to a friend we grew up with, Quinn Grant, a wide smile on her face.

I take a second to drink Josie in without her noticing. She’s got on a fluffy red beanie, which covers her dark curls, and a big puffy jacket paired with black yoga pants that are fitted to her petite frame, tightly hugging the globes of her ass.

I can’t help staring. She’s so goddamn perfect it makes it hard to breathe.

How the hell did I ever walk away from her? Why didn’t I try to keep her, no matter how hard it was going to be? And how the hell did I let all these years pass without trying to get her back?

Quinn leaves, so I cross the packed clearing toward the massive tent that’s being used to ward off some of the cold pre-jump. When Josie finally spots me, her eyes widen slightly, and I smirk.

“W-Wyatt.”

“Josie,” I say, coming to a stop in front of her, my smirk widening into a full-blown smile when her pillowy lips part and a stuttering breath comes out. “You ready to do this?”

“Honestly? Not at all. I can think of about a hundred other things I’d rather be doing than jumping into that freezing water.”

“Luce wasn’t happy that she had to stay with Grams and Papa and miss all the fun. Then I reminded her how much she hates taking a bath, and she had nothing to say to that.” I laugh. Tonight’s task is an adult-only one, which seems smart because there was no way in hell I was letting my daughter jump into this cold-ass water. Josie’s breath hitches as I step closer and grab her hand, dragging the pad of my thumb over the top of her knuckles in a languid sweep. “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll make sure to warm you up when it’s over.”

Fuck, I love the way her cheeks flush, turning the most delicious shade of pink. I want to see that flush travel the length of her body after I make her come.

“Alright, folks! The time has come,” Mayor Davis says, voice raised over the chatter of the crowd.

Beneath his thick jacket, he’s got on a pair of bright red swimming trunks that are made to look like Santa’s suit, along with a matching shirt and hat, and I just shake my head because only this guy could pull off something so ridiculous and look like he was made to wear it.

“Tonight’s list task is the annual Jingle Jump, which, as many of you already know, is Strawberry Hollow’s polar plunge. Brrrr. Hence, the reason why we’re at Strawberry Falls tonight.” He chortles, tossing the crowd a wink. “This task is a simple one. You take a dip in the water when the air horn sounds, and then you can run back out. That’s it. You’ll be able to mark this task off your list and secure the points needed to move forward.”

Sounds simple, but there’s nothing simple about jumping into water that’s got ice floating in it. Fuck, we’re going to freeze.

But I’m pretty sure my daughter will never forgive me if I don’t mark this off the competition list.

“Good luck!”

I glance at Josie, who’s chewing the corner of her lip until it looks as if it’ll bruise.

Reaching out, I drag my thumb gently along her bottom lip, pulling it from her teeth. “We don’t have to do this, Jos.”

She lifts her gaze to mine, the spot between her brows furrowing as her dark brow shoots up, “Of course we do. We can’t let Lucy down!”

Of course she’s worried about Lucy. The fact that it even matters to her, that she even cares enough to worry about my daughter, makes my heart squeeze in my chest.

I want to kiss her so fucking bad right now.

I want to show her how much it means to me that she cares about my daughter.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she whispers.

I smirk. “Like what, Jos?”

Like I want to lay her out before me and kiss every inch of her until any protest she can think of has been washed from her mind.

She doesn’t immediately respond, the column of her throat bobbing roughly as she swallows, then finally murmurs, “Nothing. I’m a little nervous. About the jump.”

“Here’s what we’re going to do.” I reach for her chin when she drops her gaze, tipping it up so I can look into her dark brown eyes. “I’m going to hold your hand, and we’re going to jump together. It’ll be cold as fuck, and we’re going to be miserable, but I promise I won’t let you go, okay, honey? Trust me.”

I know that what I’m asking, even with something simple as jumping into the water, is probably a lot for her, but I want Josie to trust me again. I need to show her that I’m not going anywhere this time. That I’m not going to let go even when it’s hard to hold on. Especially then. But words aren’t enough, and I know that. I’m going to have to prove it to her.

“Okay,” she whispers thickly, my stomach flipping with those two syllables. As simple as they are, they mean everything.

“Two-minute warning, folks!” Mayor Davis calls to the crowd, which means we’re two minutes away from catching damn hypothermia, and I’m not looking forward to this.

It just goes to show that I’d do anything for my daughter.

I shrug out of my jacket, placing it on the tables that have been set up for the jump, and then tug the beanie off my head. Next, I reach behind my head and grasp the neck of my henley, pulling it off andimmediately regretting it.

“Shit,” I hiss when the cold air hits my bare torso, a frigid assault that sends a wave of goose bumps along my skin.

The only good part about this is being able to watch Josie slowly pull off her sweater after putting her puffy jacket next to mine on the table, leaving her in a strappy red bikini top that’s stretched over her supple tits.

Fuck me.

My mouth nearly waters at the sight of her curvy, full hips. Hips that would fit perfectly in my hands. Tits that would fill my palms as if they were made for me.

And they were made for me. And only fucking me.

She’s even more beautiful than I remember, the teenage version of her a distant memory that’s now been replaced by a beautiful woman who has the ability to make me ache.

And I’m not the only one who’s staring.

Josie’s dark gaze does a slow, languid perusal of my chest, down to my abs, as she watches me flick the button of my jeans open and drag them down my hips, where they pool at my feet. I put on an old pair of swim trunks for today, and when her gaze lowers to my dick, her cheeks flush pink, creeping down her neck, and I chuckle lowly.

Her gaze whips to mine, and she shakes her head as if to clear it as she works on removing her yoga pants and boots. Her toes are painted the same red as her bikini, and the second she bends over to scoop up her shoes, giving me a better view of her tits, a groan almost bursts from deep in my chest.

The freezing-ass water isn’t going to be as much torture as having her in front of me and not being able to touch her.

It’s so fucking cold under this damn tent, even with the heat lamps, that she’s already shivering, so I step forward and slide my arm around her shoulders, hauling her against my front.

Surprisingly, she doesn’t protest, probably because she’s a goddamn icicle and her teeth are chattering. “T-thank you.”

Her skin’s like fucking ice to the touch. I slide my palms up and down her arms to give her some warmth, and she sinks into my arms, burying her face against my chest.

I swear, I’d stand out here all damn night, letting my balls shrivel up, if it meant getting to hold her like this.

“In and out, honey. I’ve got you, okay? We’re going to do it together,” I rasp as I continue to run my palms down the raised flesh on her arms.

With another brief nod, we follow the rest of the crowd out to the water’s edge. I swear it’s so fucking cold walking on the snow-covered ground that the bottoms of my feet are numb.

I slip my hand in Josie’s, lacing our fingers together and giving her the best smile I can manage that probably looks like more of a grimace, but fuck, I’m trying.

When the air horn sounds, I blow out a breath, take one last look at Josie, tightening my grip around her fingers, and then we jump.

The second we hit the water, the air wooshes from my lungs. It’s so cold that it steals the breath from me, a shock to my entire body so powerful that I’m almost frozen in place for a second.

And then I kick my feet as hard as I can, pulling us to the surface because I’m not letting Josie go.

We break through the top of the water, both of us sucking in air, trying to fill our lungs, but damn, it’s so cold it hurts.

I pull her to the water’s edge and grab her by the waist, hoisting her onto the edge, then pull myself up, even though it feels like I’m frozen fucking solid. Somehow, the air hitting our already cold skin makes it even worse. Josie’s teeth are chattering so hard I can hear them.

“C’mon,” I murmur, pulling her into the tent and back under the heaters as I attempt to gather our clothing, my hands shaking from the cold. Opening the towels, I quickly put one around Josie’s shoulders and wrap her up before putting mine on. “Let’s go to my truck, get warm?”

She nods. “O-okay.”

I toss my boots to the ground and step into them before bending over and scooping her into my arms bride-style, ignoring the layers of puffy jackets and clothes that are piled between us and the adorable squeak that tumbles out of her.

“W-wyatt! P-put me dow-w-n.” She’s trembling so hard that she can barely get the words out.

Of course, I don’t listen because I’m not letting her freeze to death while walking to my truck. Instead, I just chuckle, my arms tightening around her body as I say, “Sorry, honey, can’t do that.”

We make it to my truck, and I deposit her directly onto the passenger seat along with the clothes, then walk around to the driver’s side and slide into the seat. After I turn the truck on, the first thing I do is crank the heater all the way up, full blast.

Josie’s using her jacket along with the towel that’s now damp and thus not offering much in terms of warming her up, so I turn to her. “C’mere, Jos.”

For a second, she hesitates, shaking her head and pulling the jacket tighter around her.

I sigh. “Josie, you’re freezing. Come use my body heat because I can’t stand you shivering over there.”

And because there’s nothing more that I want than to have her in my arms again, in whatever way I can get her.

Finally, she huffs a sigh and throws the jacket to the floorboard. “Only because I’m freezing. That’s it, Wyatt.”

I can’t stop the grin that curves my lips. “Sure, honey. Whatever you say.”

Whatever she needs to tell herself to make herself feel better. I’ve got no qualms; I know exactly why I want Josie Pearce in my arms, and if it wouldn’t scare her off like a wounded animal, I’d lay it all out for her.

She shoots me a pointed look that tells me to behave without actually saying a word before she pulls her towel off, letting it fall to the floor, and then climbs over the console of the truck into my lap. My arm circles her shoulders, pulling her against my chest, where, after the briefest moment of hesitation, she sinks into me with a content sigh.

I can’t help that the first thing I notice is her taut, hardened little nipples pressing against the thin fabric of her bikini top. Fuck, I can almost make out her entire nipple, and I’m nearly aching to reach out and trace the wet fabric with my tongue.

I swallow, trying to push down the heady pull of arousal tugging at the base of my spine, but I know that it’s useless.I’ve got her in my arms, perched on my lap like a present ready to be unwrapped, those tiny little red strings begging to be untied so much that trying to convince my dick that I don’t want her is utterly pointless. It’s a battle that I’m already losing as my gaze travels down her body to the small triangle of fabric between her thighs.

Fuck.

Josie lifts her gaze to mine, and the air seems to crackle between us as she blinks, heat flickering in her dark eyes. The tip of her pink tongue darts out to lick her lips, and the movement makes my dick twitch beneath her.

I watch as a swallow slides down her throat, her lips parting on a breathless hitch when she feels my erection hardening.

I can’t fucking help it. The girl of my goddamn dreams is nearly naked in my lap, finally in my arms, and I’m hopeless in fighting this undeniable pull between us. A man is only so strong, and Josie Pearce is the biggest temptation I’ve ever faced.

She’s always been the thread that’s unraveled every part of me.

That never changed.

When she draws that plump pink lip between her teeth, moving her hips almost indecipherably, we both suck in a hiss as her ass brushes against my cock.

Her hooded gaze moves over my face as she lets out a trembling breath.

I can almost see the moment that the decision clicks behind her eyes, and she’s whispering, “Fuck it.”

And then she slams her lips against mine, twisting in my lap until her knees are fitted on either side of my hips, hands flying to my nape as she moans against my mouth.

A deep groan vibrates in my throat while I thread my hands in her hair, tangling in the still-wet strands, pulling her impossibly closer to me.

She tastes like perfection. Like the sweetest treat on the planet.

Like mine .

We’re a flurry of frantic, desperate moves, clashing teeth, soft whimpers, both of us too lost in the moment to even care that we’re in my truck in the parking lot, surrounded by half the people in the town.

Every rock of her hips, every brush of her taut nipples against my bare skin, sends my head swimming. Her warm center in that tiny bikini presses tightly against me. My cock is so hard that it might bust through my fucking pants at any moment.

Josie nibbles on my bottom lip, biting it gently before letting it go with a breathy sigh. My palms slide up her back, pressing her tighter against me as I kiss along the edge of her jaw, memorizing every single inch of her that I can feel.

“Wyatt…” She pants my name like a prayer. “I…”

I pull back, breathing heavily as I stare up at her.

Her throat bobs as she whispers thickly, her heated gaze hitting me full force. “Take me home.”

“Are you sure?”

Without hesitation, she nods. “I’m sure.”