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

12 | Arden

Water flows over my skin, its coolness a stark contrast to the lingering heat from the sun. I sigh, letting the water wash away the grime and tension. The silence behind me is loud, and I can feel Jason's presence without turning around. He's always there, like a shadow that refuses to be shaken.

I smooth my hair back, forcing my hands to do something to distract me so I don't turn to him, then swipe the water from my face before finally I can't take it anymore and I turn my attention towards him. His gaze latches onto mine instantly, intense and focused entirely on me. I can't pinpoint the emotion in his eyes, but there's something simmering just beneath the surface.

"What?" I ask, trying to keep my voice casual. "Do I have something on my face?"

A slow smile paints his lips, softening his features in a way that makes my heart stutter. "No."

I look away, unable to handle the tenderness in his eyes. Vulnerability isn't my thing, especially not with him. "Then why are you staring at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're trying to figure me out."

"I am trying to figure you out." He counters.

I huff, "Well, don't."

His smile fades, replaced by something more serious. He starts to swim closer, the water rippling around his broad shoulders. There's a predatory grace to his movements, like he's a lion stalking his prey.

Instinctively, I take a step back, keeping a safe distance between us. "What are you doing?"

"Swimming," he says, lifting an eyebrow as if I'm the one being ridiculous.

I point to the far side of the lagoon. "Swim over there."

He chuckles, his grin widening. "But I've already got my destination in mind."

He's getting too close, the water sloshing against my skin as he moves nearer. My eyes flick over his bare chest, my mind betraying me as I remember the way that body felt against mine. The muscles are the same, every line and curve imprinted in my memory.

But I'm not going down that road again.

I hold my ground as he circles me, his hand brushing lightly against my back, sending shivers down my spine. He's always had that effect on me, always been so infuriatingly magnetic, drawing me in even when I know I should resist.

"I know what you're doing," I murmur, eyes locked on his.

"Do you?" He raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What am I doing?" I itch to wipe that smirk off his face.

"You're trying to seduce me," I say bluntly, regretting the words as soon as they leave my mouth.

His brows lift in surprise, then amusement. "Is it working?"

"No," I lie, but my body betrays me, a tell-tale flush creeping up my neck. Why the hell does he have this effect on me and why the hell can't I get over it.

He swims closer, until there's hardly any space between us. "Liar." The words slip from his mouth like a caress, rippling over the limited space between us.

I cross my arms over my chest, trying to maintain some semblance of control. "I don't lie."

"You just did." His voice is low, almost a purr, and it sends a thrill of something rushing through me. Fear, excitement, I don't know which.

"Prove it," I challenge, though I'm not entirely sure what I'm asking for.

Why are you challenging him-

He gives me a wicked grin, then his arms are around me, pulling me against him. My hands automatically go to his shoulders, steadying myself as our bodies collide, chest to chest. The heat of his skin seeps into mine, and I hate the way it makes me feel and the shiver that slams through me like lightning.

"You cold?" he asks, his voice teasing, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"No?" I blink, confused by the question.

He arches an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips and my eyes drift down to the curve, lingering on the soft plumpness of his bottom lip. "Could've fooled me."

It takes a moment for the meaning of his word to sink in, and when it does, I glance down, mortified to see the evidence of my body's reaction to the cold water. Heat floods my cheeks, and I push away from him, crossing my arms over my chest to hide the evidence.

"Fuck off," I mutter, embarrassed and angry. Though if I'm being entirely honest with myself, it's not him I'm angry at.

Jason throws his head back and laughs, a full, rich sound that echoes around us. The sight of him, so carefree and unbothered, only makes my irritation grow.

"Shut up," I snap, shoving at his shoulder.

He doesn't budge, just pulls me back into his side. "C'mon, Arden." He gestures to the world around us, the beautiful, deadly paradise we're stuck in. "We're stranded on an island. We might as well enjoy it while we can. Who knows how long we'll get out here, just us and the beauty of nature."

For a moment, I'm tempted. There's a part of me, a reckless, foolish part that wants to forget everything, to just give in to the fantasy. But I know better. I've always known better.

It's not worth the risk of getting hurt and that reminder is all I need to push back from him again, turning away from his crestfallen expression and begin swimming toward the bank. "I'm tired." I say softly, letting the wind carry the words in the space between us. The space I'm forcing between us. "I'm going back to sleep."

I can feel his eyes on me as I climb out of the water, but he doesn't say anything. I grab my clothes and pull them on quickly, not looking back at him before heading toward shelter. I need space, physical, emotional, mental.

I need space from Jason and everything he represents.