by Cat Johnson
Carla shook her head. “Nah. Thanks. I’m ready to turn in for an early night.”
Hands filled with what he’d need, Logan paused just on the edge of the firelight. “You two will be okay here until we get back?”
“I’m sure we’ll be just fine.” Mark covered a yawn with his hand. “Excuse me. I’ll probably be turning in pretty soon myself.”
“All right.” Tuck nodded. “If you’re both asleep by the time we get back, we’ll see you in the morning.”
“All right.” Mark raised a brow. “Uh, are we fishing again at sunrise?”
The tone of Mark’s question had Carla smiling. He might be trying to hide it and sound enthusiastic, but she saw right through that act. The last thing he wanted to do tomorrow morning was get up before dawn to fish.
“Nah, we’ll break down camp after breakfast, maybe take a dip in the lake, and then head out,” Logan answered.
“Oh, okay. Great.” Mark visibly perked up. “See you in the morning. Happy fishing.”
When Tuck and Logan were out of sight, Carla stood. She had a plan and now was as good a time as any. She dumped the paper dinner plates into the garbage bag they’d brought along and glanced up at the professor.
“So, how’s about a little dip right now?”
“Dip?” He pushed his glasses up his nose one more time, where she knew from watching him all day they wouldn’t stay for long before they’d slip down again.
“Yeah. I love swimming at night. The air’s just starting to cool off but the water’s still holding the heat of the sun. It’s the perfect way to end a perfect day. And I can go to sleep feeling clean and fresh, instead of smelling like campfire smoke.”
“Is that allowed? Swimming at night, I mean?”
She grinned at his hesitation. It was adorable how he worried about every little thing. If her last boyfriend had been even half as concerned with the consequences of his actions, Carla might not have found him buried inside a buckle bunny on the night he’d canceled their date because he supposedly had to help a buddy move.
Just thinking about it pissed her off, even months later. She buried that anger and concentrated on the man in front of her. Mark couldn’t be more different from her ex-boyfriend, and he didn’t deserve to be subjected to her anger over something he had nothing to do with.
“Is it allowed?” Carla shrugged. “Hell if I know. I didn’t stop to read the rules posted on the sign when I drove in.”
He smiled and started to gather the cooking utensils. “No, you wouldn’t. You’re not the kind of woman who’d let rules tie her down.”
In reality it was because she’d been tired this morning and it had still been dark out, but yeah, his excuse sounded good, too. It made her seem like an independent, strong individual, which was way better than what she was—kind of smoky-smelling and a little bit sex deprived. She wouldn’t mind getting closer to this man, much closer, while washing away the remaining scent of dinner.
“You’re right. Nothing ties me down, so put back that frying pan and let’s go.” She reached out and grabbed his free hand.
“I should clean that pan—” As Mark started to protest, Carla paused in her quest to pull him toward the water. She turned to stare into his eyes. She watched as he bit his lower lip, and a small frown furrowed his brow. Finally, he put the pan down. “You know what? Forget about cleaning up. I can do that later.”
“Good.” She smiled. “Now let’s go.”
“Do you know where the swimming area is? Logan said there are separate designated swimming and fishing areas.” He continued to question the rules as she dragged him forward.
“Yup. I know right where it is.” As far as Carla was concerned, for her purposes, the swimming area was wherever there were no people nearby. She wasn’t in the mood for idle chatter with some OSU faculty member she’d never met. She was in the mood for some alone time with Professor Mark, though.
Mark took her hand in his with a firm, warm grip. No wishy-washy hand-holding with this man. When he held on to her, she felt held. It was nice. She liked the feeling. She’d like it better if it were his arms wrapped around her body rather than his fingers wrapped around hers, because she hadn’t had that satisfaction with a man in far too long.
Just one more motivation for her to find a secluded spot.
She stopped at the shore and glanced around her. The campsites were farther in. Not that it mattered to her, but this might well be the official swimming area since she didn’t see anyone fishing here.
It was early, just getting dark, and most people would still be occupied, enjoying their s’mores by the campfire. That might explain the current peace and quiet here by the lake.
“This looks like a good spot.” Carla dropped her hold on his hand and turned toward Mark, just in time to catch him eyeballing her. She’d chosen the bikini for today because she hated having the white belly and brown arms she got when she wore her one-piece swimsuit for a day out in the sun. But now, seeing his admiration of her when he thought she wasn’t looking, she was doubly pleased with her choice of attire.
“Um, uh, sure.” He’d yanked his gaze back up to her face so fast, she nearly laughed.
It was dim enough she couldn’t see him blush but she’d bet money he was beet red at having been caught checking her out. Little did he know she took it as a compliment. She was used to cowboys ogling her at rodeos. But to have a smart, educated, and important man like Mark be interested—that was a nice change.
“Good. Then come on.” She led the way into the water, turning to see him still by the shore.
After first toeing off one slip-on canvas shoe, and then the other, Mark bent to line them up on the ground a safe distance from the lapping water. He peeled off his shirt next, meticulously folding it before laying it on top of his shoes.
Since it looked as if this might take awhile, Carla dipped to her shoulders and floated weightlessly in the water as he took his time getting ready. She watched his preparations, fascinated. Men weren’t like this. At least, not the ones she knew.
Sure, Tuck tended to be neat at rodeo practice, always making sure the students’ gear was cleaned and stowed before they were allowed to leave, but she’d figured that was his military training. And that he was trying to teach them to do things right. Her brothers were both slobs. Her exes had been, too. But this man took the time to fold his clothes before he went swimming in a lake.
Finally, when he was down to just his swim trunks, Mark waded ankle deep and paused. After a few seconds, he came in to his knees, and paused again. By the time he reached her, she was full out grinning.
“Something funny?” he asked.
“You’re very careful, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean?” The frown she’d gotten used to seeing on Mark appeared again.
Putting her feet down on the sandy lake bottom, she moved closer to him. “You don’t jump into anything without proper preparation and consideration, do you?”
“I could, should the right opportunity present itself.” He could have sounded defensive, but he didn’t. Instead, he sounded almost flirty, challenging her to make him abandon his careful ways. Throw caution to the wind. With her.
“Nope. I don’t think you could. You’d have to consider it first. Weigh all the options. Then take your time deciding how best to go about it.” At his frown, Carla stopped. Crap. She hadn’t meant to insult him, but she’d gone too far in her teasing. “Don’t get me wrong. That’s a good thing. I wish more men thought about things before they just went out and did them.”
“Really?” He looked doubtful, which made her want to reassure him and get back to the place they’d been before.
“Yes. The world would be a better place if all men were as careful as you are. At least my world would be.” And this conversation had gotten serious damn fast. Carla noticed him watching her, so intense she almost looked away.
They’d drifted into slightly deeper water. She found they were closer tha
n before, her toes just touching the sandy bottom of the lake as she bobbed. They were only inches apart now and she found she wanted to be even closer, in more ways than one.
“So, I don’t know very much about you,” she said.
“What do you want to know?” His voice was low, just loud enough for her to hear. It made the situation feel even more intimate.
In the darkness, the sky lit only by a partial moon and a few stars, she let herself drift closer to him. “Are you married? Have any kids?”
“No, and no.”
Good answer. Carla was concentrating on coming up with another question when her big toe touched bottom again on top of a rock, pitching her forward. Mark caught her. His hold on her arms was the only thing that kept her upright.
“So what about you? Married? Children?” He continued the conversation as if she hadn’t just tripped like a klutz, like nothing had happened, but there was one big difference now—both of his hands were on her arms and he hadn’t made any move to change that.
“No,” she answered, feeling the heat of his touch in stark contrast with the chill in the water.
“Boyfriend?” His tone dropped even lower. He ran his hands up to her shoulders and back down, lightly. Goose bumps rose on her flesh even as inside her core heated for this man.
“Nope. Girlfriend?” Her heart began to pound as she awaited his answer.
“No.” Mark was so close now, her chest bumped against his when the water moved them. “Carla?”
“Hmm?” She didn’t wait to hear what he wanted to ask. They were so temptingly close. On her tiptoes, she was almost as tall as he was standing flat-footed. She only had to reach up, just a bit . . .
He dragged in a deep breath through his nose as her mouth touched his in a gentle kiss. His hold on her arms tightened and she found herself pressed against him. All of him, from chest to thigh.
Mark Ross might be a cautious man about many things, but he wasn’t acting that way now as he kissed her back with enthusiasm. His body wasn’t taking it slow. Carla felt his arousal outlined through the thin fabric of his swimsuit. There was no hiding it, considering how close they were holding each other and how little they both wore.
Rather than back away, Carla did the boldest thing she’d ever done—she wrapped her arms around his waist, ensuring her pelvis pressed harder against his.
Mark responded with a groan as he tilted his head and changed the angle of the kiss. He moved his hands down and gripped her hips. He held her right where she was, tantalizingly pressed against the hard length between them. His possession of her mouth increased as he teased her lips with his tongue.
How long had it been since she’d made out with a guy? Not just a quick kiss and fumble before the sex, but actually did some long, hard kissing? Too long, if how good this felt was any indication. The pleasure filled her, heating her from the inside. She met the intensity of his kisses with some pretty crazy enthusiasm on her own part. Opening her lips, she invited more and he took it, thrusting his tongue into her mouth until they were both breathing heavier.
Carla found herself gyrating against the bulge between them, dry humping this man in the water, which probably made it wet humping, technically. The movement hadn’t been conscious on her part. She didn’t realize she was doing it until her body tightened and the fingers of pleasure gripped her and spread.
Breaking the kiss, she pulled back just enough to see his face. His eyes were heavy-lidded when he opened them and stared back at her through the lenses of his glasses.
Mark sank lower in the water, moved his grip down to her thighs and lifted. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”
She did and he began to move her against him. Her mouth opened on a gasp. They were lined up perfectly to rub just the right spot. A few minutes more of this, given her current needy condition, and she’d come, and she had a feeling he knew it, too.
Mark was taking control of the situation, and of her pleasure, showing an assertive side she found incredibly attractive. She didn’t have time to consider how much she liked the new decisive side of him, because she was gasping for breath and trying not to moan.
As she teetered on the edge of a climax, Carla hoped Mark was prepared, because it was going to be a big one.
Chapter Four
Carla gasped his name against his wet skin and Mark felt her come apart in his arms. Her entire body trembled as he held her pressed to his erection. The only thing between them was the fabric of their suits.
With her face buried against his neck, he felt her moans vibrate through him. A small part of his brain registered that they should be quieter. If anyone was close enough to hear, there would be no mistaking what was happening here in the water, under cover of the darkness.
These were the sounds of two people taking pleasure in each other. No doubt about it.
The weight and feel of Carla in his hands, causing friction against his cock as he continued to rock her against him, was more than enough to have him breathing pretty hard himself. He held back a groan as he relished each move and every sound she made. He’d made this woman come while he held her in his arms, and it was even better than he could have imagined. One thing would make this night perfect, and that would be him buried inside her feeling her muscles pulse around him.
That thought alone did elicit a shaky groan he couldn’t control.
He felt the warmth of her breath against him before she pulled back. Her eyes met his as she reached between them and pushed at the waistband of his swim trunks. When he realized she was struggling to free his erection, his heart raced until the pulse pounding in his ears was enough to block out the sounds of the water sloshing around them.
Breathing was harder than it should be. Maybe it was oxygen deprivation that led him to it, but he reached down. His hand encountered hers between them. He helped her struggle with the wet fabric until it was no longer between them.
The first stroke of her hand on the bare skin of his erection had him closing his eyes and relishing the sensation of it. He could come just from her fingers wrapped around him. How amazing that would be, to—
His eyes popped open as the feel of her fingers was replaced with the heat of her body. She moved to position the tip of him at her entrance.
“Carla. What are you doing?” He hadn’t even noticed that she’d pushed the crotch of her bikini bottoms to the side to allow him access.
She bit her lip, her eyes mere slits, narrowed with need. “I think you can figure that out.”
Yes, he could, which was why the rational part of his brain, the portion that was rapidly shrinking with every passing moment, protested. As the need to plunge into her increased with each breath he took, Mark somehow remembered his objection.
“I don’t have a condom.” And he definitely didn’t trust himself to have the control to be able to pull out in time. She felt too incredible and he was too damn close already from what they’d done so far.
“It’s okay. I’m on the pill.” As she said it, she pressed lower.
He felt the tip of him slip into her wet heat, as his resolve slid away. He’d had a small sample, and he wanted more. She obviously did too. With her legs still wrapped around his waist, she let the weight of her body force him all the way home.
There was no turning back now.
This was the most incredible thing he’d ever felt. Why didn’t people have sex in the water all the time? Hell, when he finally sold the condo and bought himself a house, you could bet he was putting in a pool just for this reason.
They were so buoyant in the water that the slightest move on either of their parts had her sliding up and down his length. It was almost effortless, leaving him free to concentrate on every sensation assaulting him.
Her breath, quick, short pants that were coming closer together now, told him that she was as affected by this as he was. That they both were getting closer to the culmination he feared as much as anticipated.
Mark prayed no one would hear them bec
ause it wasn’t going to be easy to be quiet. Not with her hot body surrounding him, squeezing him tighter inside her. More, he hoped no one interrupted them before the end, because he might just die if they did.
A frenzy he’d never felt before overtook him. He clasped one hand to the nape of her neck beneath her braid and pulled her to him for a hard kiss. With his other hand cupping her ass, he guided her up and down his length. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she clung to him. Rode him.
It was surreal. Dreamlike. Yet at the same time, his senses had never been so sharp. He heard each breath she took, as if it were his own. He smelled the combined scents of the lake, the campfire smoke, and her. He felt every quiver her body made, both inside and out. He definitely felt it as the second orgasm hit her, making her muscles grip his cock with a rhythm that did in his already tenuous hold on his control.
The feel of her coming around him sent Mark careening over the edge himself. He thrust one more time and shot off deep inside her in what had to be the most amazing experience of his life.
Still pulsing with aftershocks while partially hard but fading inside her, he held her close and hard, unwilling to let her go. She panted against him, but otherwise she didn’t move. That was fine with him. They could stay here, just like this, until the sun came up.
Once he let her go, this opportunity might never come again. He wasn’t sure how it all had happened to begin with. One moment they were cleaning up dinner, the next they were swimming, and then . . . The heat of her still surrounding him reminded him of what had happened next.
He was afraid to speak, or even move, or he might break whatever magic spell had brought them to this point. Women like her didn’t go for guys like him, he reminded himself. Yet her body against his told him differently. She had gone for him, at least once, anyway.
The one question that remained was this—could a woman like her stay with a man like him?
Carla had begun to wonder if they were ever going to speak, or move. Or if they would just drift in the water, clinging to each other, until morning. Eventually, nature took its course and Mark’s spent hard-on faded and slipped out of her body.