She hooked her thumbs into her shorts and underwear, sliding them down in one smooth motion, and stepped out of them. She stood there completely naked in the moonlight. Bloody, dirty, streaked with sweat. Her skin was bruised and battered from everything she'd been through.
And still the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
She waded slowly into the water, gasping at the cold before sighing as she lowered herself in. She ducked under, and when she surfaced, water streamed down her body in silver rivulets.
I couldn't breathe.
She gathered her hair over one shoulder and squeezed the water out.
Then she looked at me.
Held my gaze. Direct. Unflinching.
Didn't say a word.
Didn't have to.
The invitation was clear.
I should stay where I was and get the fire going properly. Ignore my pounding pulse and the hard ache in my groin. Pretend I didn't notice the curve of her waist or the swell of her breasts. Pretend I didn't want to repeat that kiss and take this burning need to the next level.
But I couldn't.
I was too far gone.
I yanked off my boots and belt, then shoved my jeans down so fast I nearly went ass over. I kicked them free and walked into the water, naked, my eyes locked on hers.
As she watched me approach, a fierceness and tenderness burned in her gaze.
I ducked under the surface, madly scrubbing away grime, dirt, sweat, and blood. When I came up for air, I kept moving toward her, carving through water with desperate need. Nothing else mattered in the entire goddamn world but reaching her.
She waited for me, waist-deep, breasts clearly visible in the moonlight. Water droplets clung to her skin, catching the silver light. Her breasts were perfect, her nipples were hard from the cold, or maybe from watching me come for her.
I stopped just short of touching her, water lapping at my waist.
This was a bad idea.
I knew it was a bad idea.
"Hi," she said softly, a small smile curving her lips.
"Hi." My voice came out rough, barely more than a rasp.
She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, and my restraint nearly shattered.
Holy hell. She’s stunning.
"Charlie," I muttered, trying to get my mouth to say what needed to be said, that this was temporary, that she would leave me, that I had no right to want her this badly.
She closed the distance between us. Her hands slid up my chest, warm despite the cool water, and I was done thinking.
I cupped her face, thumbs stroking her cheekbones. "What are we doing, Charlie?"
Her eyes glistened in the moonlight. "This." She gripped my face and pulled my mouth down to hers.
The kiss started gently, just a soft brush of lips, a question more than a demand. I kept it light, tender, giving her every chance to pull away. But she didn't. She leaned into me, her mouth moving against mine with a sweetness that made my chest ache.
Then her lips parted, inviting me deeper.