Run the Risk

She swam over to the dock. Water sluiced down her body as she went up the ladder to get the soap. While she lathered herself, she glanced up at the house. Someone stepped out onto the deck with the lantern Logan had mentioned earlier.

Since she preferred not to be ogled by the others, she got back in to rinse.

Halfway down the hill, Dash called out to them. “All clear?”

Logan said, “Leave the lantern on the bench.”

“Sure thing.” The light bobbed as he walked, dancing over the dew-wet ground and the occasional tree trunk, and casting an eerie wash of yellow over Dash’s face.

He put the lantern on a big stone bench that she hadn’t even noticed on the shore. A warm glowing light expanded out to the end of the dock, exaggerating shadows and showing their twin piles of clothes.

Which meant when she got out, anyone looking would see it all.

“Reese said the hash will be done in another five minutes if you want to eat. He cooked canned green beans and rolls with it.”

“Thanks,” Logan said quietly.

Keeping her gaze on Dash, Pepper watched him go back up the hill. At the patio doors, he met with Reese. The two of them looked back down to the lake before going in and closing the door.

Her thoughts scuttled about; worry for her brother tried to dig in, but she fended it off. If she started down that path, she’d be bawling like an infant.

Going to her back, she floated lazily—well aware that the moonlight combined with the lantern would show her body.

The water felt amazing. Refreshing. Almost relaxing—though not much could really help her unwind tonight…at least, nothing as simple as a swim.

The surface of the lake whorled around her as Logan moved closer again. “Are you hungry?”

The way he said that, all husky and deep, told her a lot. Would he make a pass? Would he have assumptions based on what they’d already done and the way she showed herself now?

Why should she suffer just because of him? She shouldn’t.

Mind made up, Pepper turned in the water again, dunking her head, then emerging with a splash. “Actually, I’m starved. Let’s go so we can get food out of the way.” Not waiting to see how he interpreted that, she swam to the ladder and climbed out.

Seconds later, Logan did the same. She heard his wet feet on the rough boards. The stillness in the air amplified her awareness of him.

Slowly, she turned to see him standing before her, naked, wet,  gorgeous…and erect.

Breathing deeper, her body alive with need, she looked him over while drying. When she finished, she handed him the towel.

He didn’t dry; the towel hung limp in his hand, his arms at his sides.

“I’m glad your brother brought the lantern.”

His broad chest expanded on a breath; he took a step closer, his gaze on her body. “Me, too.”

Knowing her willpower wouldn’t last, Pepper pulled on her T-shirt and stepped into her panties.

Logan still didn’t move. On impulse, she reached out and clasped his penis.

His hand fisted on the towel; he shifted his stance, and then, other than the flexing of his erection, he held still.

“Bring the soap up with you.” Releasing him, Pepper turned and walked away. If she stayed, they wouldn’t make it off the dock, and she was still really pissed at him.

She knew what she wanted, but she also knew how she wanted it done. This would happen.

On her terms.

Dinner first, and then Logan would get to know her a little better.

* * *

LOGAN WATCHED HER DIG into her food. Hell, he couldn’t take his gaze off her. Little by little her hair dried in tangled waves, and even that was sexy. She’d pulled on jeans, but the sight of her standing naked beneath the moonlight would forever be branded on his brain.

She had a killer body.

A body that she’d successfully hidden from him even while having sex. He’d been inside her, but he hadn’t gotten to touch her.

God, he wanted to. He was so coiled with lust, everything else faded.

“Great dinner, Reese.”

“Thank you. Glad someone is appreciating it.”

Both he and Pepper ignored the inane conversation between Dash and Reese. She finished off a glass of milk and sat back.

Reese waited, and when she only stared back at Logan, he asked, “I take it you like hash?”

“When I’m hungry enough, I’m not particular.” Her gaze moved over to Reese. “But it was good.”

Dash said, “Since Reese will be taking off in the morning—”

“Where are you going?” Pepper asked with suspicion.

“—I’ll be cooking breakfast.”

She glanced at Dash. “I can feed myself, but thanks anyway.” Then back to Reese, “So you’re not hanging around, huh?”

“I’ll be back and forth. Logan didn’t explain?”

Her narrowed attention came back to him.

Logan finished off his own milk, then mimicked her pose, relaxing back in his seat. “There’s no reason to just wait on your brother when Reese can do his own research at the same time.”

“Yeah, because that sort of thing has worked out so well for you, right?”

Reese said, “I can go through legal channels that Rowdy can’t touch, and vice versa. I like to think we’ll complement each other.”

“You can think whatever you want. But if you trip him up and he gets hurt—”

“Yes, I know. I’ve heard the threats from you both already. I don’t know how I’ll sleep tonight with so much fury heaped my way.”