Free CRUSH by Lacey Weatherford

try it.”
    “Nope. Not gonna say it.”
    “I bet I could make you say it.” He quirked his
eyebrow, and I saw it as a clear challenge.
    “You could try,” I countered.
    “What do I get when I win?” he asked grinning.
    “It doesn’t matter. You won’t win.”
    “I should warn you—I don’t often lose.”
    “Me either.” I laughed. “Give it up.”
    He rolled over, tossing the Frisbee aside. He moved
as quickly as lightning, grabbing me and tickling.
    “No!” I screeched, clawing at the blanket as I
tried to scoot from his reach. “Stop, that’s not playing fair at all.” I gasped
for breath at his assault.
    “Say it,” he ordered.
    “ Noooo  . . .
”
    He was killing me—I was so incredibly
ticklish. He rapidly managed to flip me over, and I flailed, trying to push him
away by placing my hands against his rock hard chest. Grabbing me by the wrists
he stilled, holding them down against the ground.
    He smiled widely, barely winded, knowing he had
me effectively imprisoned. “Say the words and I’ll let you up.”
    I shook my head as I huffed, refusing to give
in as I lay underneath his muscular frame.
    His look changed into something
different—something smoldering, and I all of a sudden wondered if he was
going to kiss me. His head dipped closer, until his full lips were a mere
fraction from mine, and I could feel his breath against my skin. Goose bumps
flared over me as he caressed my face with his gaze, and I stopped squirming in
anticipation. I wanted him to kiss me.
    “Tell me you like me,” he whispered. He was so
close I could almost imagine the feel of his lips as
they moved, but not quite.
    I pursed mine together, trying to stop my
mischievous smile. “No,” I replied.
    He shook his head. “That’s not an acceptable
answer.”
    “Well, it’s the one you’re getting.” I laughed
and he did as well, releasing me and flopping onto his back. The spell was
broken.
    I placed my hand on my stomach, trying to calm
the butterflies that were beating in there more like a bunch of bats gone wild.
    “This is not over by any means. I will get you
to say it.”
    “It’s on.”
    He stared at me. “You think I’m kidding, don’t
you?”
    “Not at all. I just think I happen to be a
really good person at resisting peer pressure.”
    He laughed again. “We’ll see about that.” He
propped up on his elbow. “So what else do you want to do today? I’m having too
much fun to take you home yet—unless you’re sick of me. I don’t want to
keep you prisoner.”
    “I’m having a great time, actually. Thank you.”
    “You’re having a great time because you like
me, don’t you?”
    I was silent, and he chuckled again, shaking
his head. He climbed to his feet and held his hand out. “What shall we do?”
    “I have a place I want to show you if you don’t
mind driving out of town a little ways.”
    “Just tell me where to go. I don’t mind at
all.”

 
    “Are you taking me into the woods somewhere to
execute me?” he joked as I directed him where to turn.
    “No, but on second thought, it might not have
been the best idea to bring your nice car here. I didn’t remember the roads
being so bumpy.”
    “That’s okay. I’m not in any kind of rush.” He
cast a glance at me and winked. “I don’t mind going slow.”
    “You’re an incredible tease,” I replied, unable
to help my smile. I was not unaffected by his flirting. He knew exactly what he
was doing.
    “True . .  . , but you like it. Don’t you?”
    I couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled up from
within me uncontrollably. He was so much fun.
    “I’m not going to say.” I bit my lip as I
smiled, and he shook his head. “You may want to slow down or you will drive
your car into the river right around this bend.”
    He stepped on the brake, and we came to a stop
before a sandy stretch of dirt that led down to the edge of the water. It was
only about knee deep and around twenty feet wide but had a decent amount