“Is it really safe?” I asked again.
“It really is,” he replied. I looked between him and the water, twisting my hands in front of me. A beat passed, then two, before Xander breathed out a heavy sigh. “I’ll show you.”
The last word was barely out of his mouth before a rustle of fabric came from behind me. My eyes widened, and I turned just in time to see Xander pull off his tunic and throw it on the ground in a puddle of fabric. He met my gaze, his hands going to his trousers as he slowly undid one button, then the next.
My breath caught in my throat as I watched him kick off his shoes before letting go of his grip on his trousers. They fell to his feet in a puddle of fabric, leaving him in a pair of white undershorts. They clung to his body, leaving very little to the imagination.
Even in the falling darkness, I could see the evidence that I’d felt behind me in the past few days. He still wanted me.
I sucked in a deep breath, staring at him.
And then he put his hand on the waistband of his shorts.
“Xander,” I hissed. My fear of the water had been forgotten, shoved aside for the fresh anger and shock and… warmth brewing within me. “What in Kydona’s name do you think you’re doing?”
He chuckled, his voice deeper than before. “I’m going to wash,” he said matter-of-factly. He was little more than a shadow as he gestured toward me. “You should, too. Traveling on horseback isn’t easy, and we likely won’t reach The Pines for another three days. This is our last chance to get clean before then.”
And then he pushed down his shorts.
I gasped, blood rushing to my cheeks as I slammed my eyes shut.
“Oh my gods,” I whispered. “You’re naked.”
A throaty chuckle was his only reply as a splashing sound came from in front of me.
“How astute of you to notice, Sunshine,” he said. More splashing, then he asked, “Are you just going to stand there?”
I found myself torn between wanting to flee this space and wanting to open my eyes and look at him. Join him. See if his chest felt as hard under my fingers as it had while we’d been riding…
What is wrong with me?
My mind began ticking off all the reasons I should turn around and leave. First off, this male was nothing but trouble. He had also tried to kill me. Or at the very least, he had attempted to commit involuntary manslaughter. Not only that, but he had made his dislike very clear.
I knew these things were true. They were valid reasons. Good ones, in fact. But even as I acknowledged them, I knew I didn’t want to turn around.
“Are you trying to make me uncomfortable?” I asked, my eyes still squeezed shut.
“Are you uncomfortable?” he asked innocently.
“Xander,” I hissed.
He hummed, making a clicking sound with his tongue. I heard another splash, and I peeked. I caught a glimpse of him as he ducked his head underwater. My cheeks burned as I averted my gaze once more.
“What’s wrong?” he retorted. “Haven’t you seen a naked male before, Aileana? I thought you weren’t a maiden.”
Damn.
I had forgotten about that particular lie. It was getting harder and harder to keep them straight.
If I left, Xander would win whatever game we were playing. I wasn’t sure I understood the rules, but I knew I didn’t want to give up.
He made me uncomfortable, yes, but I remembered the way his jaw had clenched in the cavern when I had been standing in nothing but my shift. The way he had felt as we had ridden together these past three days. The dark gleam in his golden eyes as he watched me when he thought I wasn’t looking.
I dared a glance back at the water. Xander had walked further into the pond, and I could barely see him. But Iknewhe was there. I felt his presence like a brand on my soul.
“Well,” he taunted, “are you coming?”
Yes. Whatever game this is, I am not done playing yet.