Free Rodeo Romance (Contemporary Western Romance Short) by Teresa Gabelman

still, waiting for her response. “Thank you.”
    “For what?” Jake’s eyes searched hers.
    “For bringing me here and showing me something special to you.” She smiled as she turned away from him to walk to the edge of the water. Kicking off her shoes, she took a deep breath before pulling her shirt over her head. Her jeans took a little work, but soon landed by her shirt. She felt Jake behind her. Taking a deep breath, she put one foot in the water. “Holy crap! It’s cold.”
    “Well, you know the only way to get used to it is quickly.” His mischievous laugh echoed through the trees as he picked her up and pretended he was going to drop her in the water.
    “Don’t!” Trisha squealed, grasping him tighter. “I’m not a fast kind of girl. I like it slow.”
    Heat flared in his eyes. “Really?”
    Heat travelled all through her body. Lord, she was in trouble. Then she noticed as he started to carry her out into the water that he still had his jeans on and felt a tinge of disappointment. “How can you swim with jeans on?”
    “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” Jake replied honestly.
    “My hang up is with my own body, not yours,” Trisha replied, laughing at how that sounded. “You can’t swim in jeans, Jake.”
    Setting her down, he made quick work of taking his jeans off, and she was a little disappointed that he didn’t go commando. 
    He picked her back up tight against his chest as he moved deeper into the water. “You are absolutely beautiful.” Jake looked down at her. “Never doubt that.”
    Before she could respond, water hit her back, making her hiss and arch her body up automatically away from the water, placing her bra-covered breasts practically in his face. “Sorry.” She forced her body back down. “It takes me a minute to get used to it and then I’m fine.”
    “I know a trick. Let’s see if it works.” He smashed his mouth down on hers, kissing her breathless.
    Trisha drank him in. It took her a few minutes to realize she was neck deep in the water. All she knew was if she didn’t get more of this man, she was going to die. She moaned when he pulled away and then squealed again when water hit her on the side of the cheek.
    Jake laughed, brushing her hair out of her face. “Nice trick, huh.”
    “Yeah, it was a very nice trick.” Trisha smiled, pushing away from him, swimming further away.
    They swam, talked, splashed and enjoyed each other’s company for what seemed like hours. The sun descended and dusk surrounded them. Floating on their backs, they stared up at the stars holding hands.
    “Why do the stars look so much closer here than in Ohio?” Trisha wondered aloud.
    “I don’t know, but the stars here in Texas—” He was cut off by Trisha’s scream.
    As Trisha floated listening to the deep timbre of Jake’s voice, something huge hit her leg. Screaming, she splashed her way on top of Jake, almost drowning him in the process.
    Sputtering, Jake pulled her close to him, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. “What?”
    “Something hit my leg.” Trisha squeezed him tighter with her legs.
    Jake laughed, picking up a piece of wood. “It was just some driftwood.”
    Trisha peeked around, looking at the wood then laughed. “Scared me to death. I thought it was an alligator or something.”
    “Alligators usually don’t play with their food,” Jake teased. “They just go in for the kill.”
    “That wasn’t even remotely funny. Are there even any alligators in Texas?” Trisha frowned, feeling like an idiot.
    “Actually, yes, but I’ve never seen any around here.” He reassured her with a grin. “It’s time to get out anyway. You’re turning a beautiful shade of blue.”
    Sadness clouded her eyes. She wasn’t ready for this night to end. “Okay.” Even her voice sounded disappointed.

CHAPTER 9
    Jake carried her out of the pond and placed her next to the fire. Jake glanced at his phone. “It’s getting pretty late,” Jake mumbled,