“I’m looking for an escapee. About three feet tall, dark hair, green eyes.”
Engaging the safety chain, I opened the door. A huge grin met me. “Hmm . . . it may sound familiar, depending on if he’s in trouble.”
Lowering his voice, he replied, “He is. But, I’m willing to take volunteers for his punishment.”
Many punishments flitted through my mind. Punishments I would gladly endure.
“What do you have in mind?” The breathiness in my voice couldn’t be missed.
“Come out here and see, sweetheart.”
Complying, I opened the door after taking off the safety chain. “Will I get the goofy grin Ty told me about? He thinks that’s the way I’ll save him from his daddy’s wrath. He says you’ve been talking about me a lot.”
Jaxson leaned in, his outdoor woodsy smell engulfing me. Yes, I want to be punished. Wickedly punished. Dazed by the thoughts, smell, and Jaxson’s presence in general, it took me two seconds too late to register his intentions as he scooped me up. We were headed to the pool.
“Jaxson McCole! Don’t you dare! Put me down!” Everyone came out from the main house and guesthouse. I refused to get distracted by the sinewy abdominal muscles I could feel through his shirt. I could barely stop laughing to sound serious which only fueled Jaxson’s grin. “Jaxson! I mean it! Put me down.”
“Dad! What are you doing?” Fractionally, we turned to face Millie and Ty who were grinning like fools.
“Showing London what happens when a man has a goofy grin over a girl.” The grin appeared as our stares locked onto each other. The world slipped away.
Ty giggled and it broke our trance. “There’s that goofy grin, Dad. Am I saved?”
Remembering my eminent swim in the pool, I struggled in his arms, which was no match for the iron grip on me. I needed a new plan. I worked on getting a straight face as we made it to the edge of the pool. “Jaxson, let’s be reasonable. Talk this out.”
At the edge of the pool, Jaxson watched me with a twinkle in his eye. He loved this foreplay. “Go on.”
“All I did was harbor a refugee for a bit. A cute refugee. He was being kept prisoner from seeing me. Don’t you think that’s the bigger crime?”
“Millie, dunk her or save her?” Jaxson called over his shoulder.
I locked my gaze with her, imploring the best friend guilt. “Millie! We’ve been best friends for years. I’ve never contested your claim over Dylan! Do not betray me!”
“I’m talking this out with the refugee. Hold please.” Millie leaned down to Ty and they whispered back and forth.
“Ty! I’m your bestest friend. I rescued you! I give you ice cream!”
It was as if I wasn’t talking as the whispering continued. My pitiful pleas were falling on deaf ears. The deep rumble of Jaxson’s laugh vibrated through me straight to my core. His lips touched my ear. “I think you’re about to get dunked.”
I moved my head to brush my lips against his, deploying my ultimate weapon. “It may keep you from getting lucky later.”
“Are you challenging me?”
Oh shit. Jaxson angled us to where they couldn’t see his mouth barely nibble my earlobe. “It’s taking everything I have not to kiss you in front of everyone.” The desire to have his lips was overwhelming. He didn’t stop weaving the spell. “I want you, London.”
“DUNK HER! DUNK HER!” The chanting broke the spell.
At their words, I latched on to Jaxson. “You don’t have to listen to them.”
“Sweetheart, they’ve spoken.”
“We can get a second opinion.”
The time for words was over. Jaxson easily unhooked me and swung
my body as if I weighed nothing more than a sack of sugar. The laughter bubbled free. Right as he released me, I grabbed on to him, bringing him with me.
“Shit!”