The Hazards of Skinny Dipping

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I knocked, hoping someone in the house was up. Thankfully, a few guys playing pool heard me.

"Is he home?" I didn't bother to say who.

"Yeah, he's up there."

"Good."

I took the stairs slowly, still rehearsing what I was going to say to him.

I knocked softly, but he didn't answer. I tried the door, and it pushed in. It was dark, but from the faint glow of the moon through the window, I saw him sleeping. He was on his back, with the sheet and comforter down around his waist, leaving his naked chest exposed. From experience, I knew the rest of him was probably naked too. He hadn't made that up.

I kicked off my shoes and tossed my jacket on the chair before climbing in next to him.

I ran my fingers down his chest, and leaned in to whisper, "I'm ready."

"Juliet?" His hand touched me like he was trying to make sure I was real.

"I miss you."

He pulled me into his arms. "I've missed you like crazy. I've been out of my mind."

"Me too."

"Did you look at the rest of the emails?"

"Yes."

"So, do you believe me?"

"Yes. But I'd be here even without them. I'm still a Reed addict."

He laughed. "I hope you're here for more than the sex."

"Who said I was only addicted to your body?"

"Oh... it's more?"

"Yes, it's more. It's all of you. It's the way you make me feel, the way you make me smile even when I want to cry."

"You're crying now." He wiped a tear off my face.

"I'm just emotional. It's not too late, is it?"

"Of course not." He kissed me, and I kissed back. I put everything in that kiss-the pain, the sadness, and the love. He did the same, and the kiss became something much more than merely physical.

"I know it's late, but will you do something with me?"

"Anything."

"You'll need to get dressed."

"That's disappointing, but I'll do it."

I kissed his cheek. "We'll both be getting naked later."

"All right, that sounds like a good deal."

I made a quick phone call while he got dressed.

"You need to drive." I tossed Reed his keys.

"Okay..."

"Are you going to tell me who you called?"

"I called in a gate pass. We're going to my family's beach house."

"That sounds great and all, but is there any particular reason why?"

"We're going skinny dipping."

"Isn't it a little cold?"

"The pool is ready for the season already, and I have to do this."

"Normally, I'd argue, but I'd probably do anything you asked right now."

***

I stared at the water. It even looked cold. Maybe I should have just forgotten it and gone inside, but I wasn't giving up. I pulled off my clothes and tossed them on the ground-next to the two white towels I'd remembered to grab on our way outside. Reed just watched.

"You don't have to join me if you don't want to. It was enough that you drove with me." I wanted him to join me.

"This really matters to you, doesn't it?" he asked. I could tell he was trying really hard to look at my face, but I wasn't making it easy on him-standing there completely naked.

"Yes. But Reed?"

"Yeah?"

"It's cold. Shut up and get naked."

He grinned. "Yes, ma'am." He pulled off his t-shirt, and the rest of his clothes followed.

I took in all of him. I'd never get tired of looking at him. "Ready?"

"Always."

We jumped in holding hands. The water was even colder than I'd expected-I mean freezing. When we came to the surface, I started to laugh, really laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Everything."

He moved to the wall and pulled me with him. "As much fun as this is, any time you're ready to go inside, just say the word."

"I'm ready."

He didn't wait another beat. He jumped out and held a towel open for me. He insisted on drying me off before drying himself. Wrapped in a towel, I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him. "I love you, Reed Bryce."

"You know I love you, Juliet Monroe."

"I do know, and that's really-"

"Cool?"

"All I need to know."

His lips met mine again, and I let him carry me inside. I'm sure you can guess what happened next, but what you might not know is that it was the best ever. But then again, it always is with Reed. Yeah, I said 'is', because we're still together, but none of that's part of this story. This story was about skinny dipping, remember? One last piece of advice: if you do decide to go skinny dipping, make sure to bring a towel.

****************************************************************************************

Want more Hazards? Follow Mallory, Cara, and the rest of the Delta Mu girls in The Hazards of a One Night Stand, The Hazards of Sex on the Beach, The Hazards of Mistletoe, and The Hazards of Sleeping with a Friend. Each is available now on all major e-book retailers.

For more information about Alyssa Rose Ivy's books, please visit her online at: www.alyssaroseivy.com or www.facebook.com/alyssaroseivy

To stay up to date on Alyssa's new releases, join her mailing list: http://eepurl.com/ktlSj