Free 100% Pure Cowboy by Cathleen Galitz

apologizing. Standing in water up to his waist, he advanced out of the shadows.
    Danielle’s heart did a swan dive. Glistening with water, his broad shoulders looked strong enough to carry off any prize he sought. The very thought sent a shivery sensation skittering across her skin.
    â€œSince I was here first, I’d say that was the pot calling the kettle black, but I guess there’s nothing I can do about it now if you snuck in a peek or two at my expense...”
    â€œDon’t you come any closer!” Danielle warned as the bubble of fear that had been rising inside her burst into a valiant spurt of bravado.
    Bending at the knees to keep her shoulders beneath the surface of the water, she asked, “Why don’t you just do the gentlemanly thing—get out and leave me alone.”
    The tone of her voice was enough to freeze the water in which they stood, but Cody didn’t so much as break stride. “As much as I’d like to oblige you, Red, the fact of the matter is that I’m just too doggoned modest to let a lady see me in the state of undress that I happen to find myself.” Moonlight illuminated the wry smile that curved his mouth. “As I see it, the only fair thing to do is for both of us to get out together, simultaneously, that is.”
    Oh, he was having a grand time, all right, at her expense! At the mention of his modesty, Danielle made a loud harrumphing sound. Despite his words, it was clear that Cody was far more comfortable with his nudity than she. Nibbling on her lower lip, she frantically searched her brain for a graceful way out of this predicament.
    In all actuality Danielle found the stirring of physical desire deep inside her far more troubling than the sheer embarrassment she was feeling. Despite the frigid temperature of the water, she was burning up. Lord, the man was magnificent. Like a primitive warrior arrayed in nothing but muscles and shimmery wet flesh, Cody Walker looked as far removed from the dictates of civilization as the rugged land that encompassed them. Feverish aches attacked her senses. Drowning in mindless sensation, she wondered why she didn’t have enough sense to call out for help.
    What was the matter with her?
    She was too mature to engage in such juvenile albeit titillating games. For heaven’s sake, she was no bashful virgin. The mother of a teenage girl who herself had a little crush upon this handsome Neanderthal, Danielle was quick to remind herself that she was past such foolish palpitations.
    â€œWell, what do ya say?”
    The caressing, cajoling tone of that husky voice had the effect of liquefying the marrow in her bones.
    â€œYou wash my back, and I’ll wash yours?”
    â€œThank you— no .”
    Danielle divided each word into a crisp syllable. Clearly, Cody wasn’t going to be chivalrous about this. Danielle sensed their wagon master was not the sort of man easily manipulated by feminine wiles. Barring begging—a level to which she refused to sink—or playing coy—something she doubted she could successfully carry off even if she wanted to—Danielle instinctively understood that if anyone were to give in first in this adult version of chicken, chances were it would have to be she.
    Each second spent in contemplation brought Cody closer, closer, closer...
    â€œOkay, fine. You just stay right here,” Danielle called in a voice too shrill to come off as convincing as she had hoped. Never having been a strong swimmer, she struck out toward the shore in a frantic dog paddle. When she at last reached the shallows, she put her feet on the gentle slope of the pond and peered over her shoulder. She was oddly both relieved and disappointed to discover Cody had done exactly as she had requested and stayed put.
    Fully aware that he had an unrestricted view of her, Danielle’s first instinct was to run out of the water into the bushes as fast as she could with arms chastely