Free Sweet Contradiction by Peggy Martinez

took my time.
    I turned in a circle and took a bow, much to Matt’s amusement. He whistled and clapped for me and I was giggling by the time I gathered enough bravado to leap into the cold water. The cool water knocked the wind from my lungs momentarily, but the chill didn’t last long. The day was gorgeous and plenty hot enough to have warmed the water in the lake. I began swimming towards Matt, his grin infecting my mood, infecting my heart, making me crazier about him than I already was.
    “You look right at home doggy paddling in a lake in your pink panties,” he said with faked thoughtfulness. I splashed him in the face, catching him off guard. He spluttered, wiped his eyes, and then wagged his finger at me. “You’d better behave yourself, Miss Michaels,” he warned. I never was one for taking advice. I heaved an unholy amount of water right into his face and screeched when he sputtered in outrage. I began swimming away as quickly as possible, aware I’d probably just sealed my own doom.
    “That was the wrong thing to do, sweet heart,” he called from behind me. I hadn’t stood a chance. I’m pretty sure Matt had had an unfair advantage though, at least I told myself that to soothe my wounded ego when he caught up with me in record time. I squealed when his hands banded around my ankle and pulled me back through the water.
    “Time for a payback,” he sang. His arms encircled my waist, pulling me back and turning me around to face him. His eyes were dark, his nostrils flaring slightly from the chase. I only struggled for a second before I realized in doing so, I was rubbing my scantily clad, wet body up against his in the process. I became still and rested my hands on his chest.
    “Do you quit?” he asked huskily. His body was almost wrapped around mine, I felt hot all over again, my body singing out so close to his.
    “Quit is such a strong word,” I murmured softly, my eyes taking in the droplets on his thick lashes, the closeness of his lips as he spoke.
    “How about concede defeat, then?” he spoke against my neck. I groaned and wrapped my arms around his neck.
    “Defeat?” I asked hazily as I threaded my finger through his messy, wet hair. He kissed the corner of my mouth gently, before repeating the intimate gesture on the other side. He began trailing tender kisses all over my face, behind my ear and then down my neck before he took possession of my mouth in a soul binding kiss that banished all my doubts and fears to the bottom of the lake. I pressed myself into him, unable to get as close as I wanted. He broke away breathing heavily, his eyes darkened with passion. He grabbed my hand and swam for the dock, pulling me along behind him.
    Matt helped me out of the water only to grab me behind the nap of my neck and pull me forward into a whirlwind of give and take kisses. My hands wanted to feel every part of him, to touch every single inch of his skin. He kissed me one last time, lingering on that kiss like it should never end. He rested his forehead on mine, with his hand cupping the back of my neck.
    “Not here,” he whispered. “It’s not good enough for you here.” I looked up into his perfect brown eyes and realized just how absolutely wonderful he was, exactly how much he had slid beneath my skin in such a short amount of time. This was exactly the perfect place. I stepped back and grabbed my shoes and clothes. I walked past Matt, and nodded to his pile of clothing and cowboy hat on the dock.
    “Better grab those … you’re going to need them … eventually .” I winked and began running toward our picnic area. “Bet ya can’t catch me this time.” I threw over my shoulder, boldly. I almost made it to the blanket before Matt caught up with me. He grabbed me from behind, pulling me off my feet, giggling. He turned me around before picking me up and twirling me around through the air.
    “I may have to spank you for that,” he said in a growl. My blood heated up and I melted