Play With Me ✔️|| 2 || Off the Ice Series

24 | Arden

We sit by the fire again, and I watch Jason work, gutting and scaling the fish he'd caught for our lunch, my gaze snagging on the way his muscles bunch and move with the action.

He notices, of course. With a mischievous smirk, he catches my eye and raises an eyebrow, his expression playful yet knowing. I quickly avert my gaze, pretending to be engrossed in the simple task of poking the fire with a stick.

"What's got your attention, Kitten?" he teases, his voice laced with amusement.

I feign nonchalance, keeping my eyes fixed on the fire. "Nothing worth mentioning," I reply, my voice betraying a hint of curiosity.

A low chuckle escapes him, the sound both captivating and soothing. "You know, it's hard to believe you when I can practically feel your eyes on me."

I look up, my brows furrowing in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

He takes a step closer, his movements deliberate and filled with a hint of purpose. "You," he says, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I can feel you watching me."

I scoff, trying to dismiss his words as playful banter. "You're delusional, Jason. I assure you, my eyes have better things to do."

He shakes his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. "No, I'm quite certain. You're watching me, and I can't help but wonder why."

I narrow my eyes, tilting my head to look up at him as he stalks around the fire, his eyes on mine. "What are you insinuating?"

He takes another step, closing the distance between us, until his face is mere inches away from mine. "I think you know," he murmurs, his voice filled with a raw vulnerability.

I shake my head, mouth dry. "I have no idea what you mean."

His head drops back, a laugh bubbling up his throat and past his lips.

A small smile quirks my lips at the sound before he reaches forward, the smell of fish hitting me.

I scramble backwards laughing, "You are not touching me with those hands."

He advances ever closer, the amusement in his face prominent. "What was that? Touching you?"

He dives forward, his knees spraying up sand as he smooths his hand over my own, up my arms and over my face, the stench of fish being left in his wake.

I screech, fighting to escape his hold, laughter escaping me with every movement. "No!" I rip my arms from his holds, scrambling back and up, bolting.

Jason follows after me, his laughter nipping at my heels like a playful pup.

I burst through the clearing of the lagoon, turning to Jason but he's nowhere to be seen. My eyes sweep the trees, listening for any movement but none is made and I soothe my panic, walking towards the beckoning water.

Removing my clothes, I glance back behind me but still it's silent before I face the front again and walk into the water, the soft flowing waves kissing at my ankles, then my calves and my thighs.

I lower fully in, closing my eyes to the blissful calm of the nature around me.

I spin in a circle, keeping my eyes on the tree line as I wait for Jason to appear, my heart thumping hard in my chest.

A twig snaps to my left and I spin, turning towards it and I can't keep the smile off my face.

"Jason!" I holla, narrowing my eyes. "I know you're out there."

No response comes and I chuckle, moving closer to the shoreline.

Around me, everything stills and I suck in a breath, feeling as if I'm being watched and I slowly turn my head, looking around the lagoon as everything goes silent.