Free Maxie (Triple X) by Kimberly Dean Page B

thing that could be Roxie’s destination. But she couldn’t. She absolutely couldn’t be thinking of—
    But she was.
    Astounded, Maxie watched as Roxie yanked open the gate to the chain-link fence that surrounded the outdoor swimming pool. Without hesitation, she started peeling off her clothes and tossing them onto a poolside chair. She seemed uncaring of her surroundings, any onlookers or any pool rules.
    “Oh no,” Lexie groaned. “Roxie!”
    It was too late. Her plea was met with the splash of a cannonball.
    Or make that a Cannon ball.
    Maxie let out an impulsive giggle. Bourbon.
    “Is she serious?” Zac’s gaze was pinned on the pool, a look of pure astonishment on his face. “I’m the sheriff here.”
    Lexie winced. “At least it’s clean. I saw the pool guy working on it earlier today.”
    Maxie’s giggling stopped, but her gaze became riveted as Roxie came up for air. The daredevil splashed once and then dove back under. When she surfaced, she sleeked her hair back and let out a whoop.
    “It’s like heaven.” She did a pirouette, sinking down before kicking off the bottom. Completely and totally naked.
    “Please don’t arrest her,” Lexie said nervously. “It is hot, and most of the lights over there are burnt out. Nobody can see. Much…”
    It wasn’t that bright, Maxie realized as she started moving. Only two overhead lights lit the pool, and both of them were dim. In the hazy night, they provided more of a glow over the water than a spotlight. The only illumination that burned steadily was under the water. It made the pool look big and wet and deep…
    Her feet picked up their pace as her gaze transfixed on the woman who looked so much like her. Roxie stared back as she treaded water. Her smile was beckoning. Daring. Encouraging.
    Maxie broke into a run.
    “Maxie?” Zac called.
    She didn’t slow down. Her arms pumped and her hair streamed behind her. She broke through the gate and kicked off her heels. Reaching behind her neck, she undid the tie that held up her sundress. It loosened, and she pulled off the damp, binding material. She threw it aside, took one step forward and dove into the pool.
    And got wet.
    Roxie was gaping at her in wonder when she emerged only a foot in front of her. The woman caught her shoulders as their legs kicked in unison. “Maxie!” she said with a cry of delight.
    On impulse, Maxie splashed her. Roxie sputtered and then splashed her back. Laughing, they both sank underwater.
    It was wonderful. So freeing and exciting.
    Maxie broke the surface, gasping for air. Heat hit her in the face as her lungs expanded. She felt like she could finally breathe.
    She felt like she could do anything.
     
    Zac could have been knocked over by a feather. Shy and quiet Maxie Miller was skinny-dipping .
    She’d run across the parking lot, stripped down and flung herself into the pool. Without even a second thought. Stripped down to sleek, bare skin with nothing more than a pair of tiny pink panties to cover all that luscious beauty…
    He couldn’t breathe, and he was hard.
    It wasn’t a good combination. Not in public.
    “Oh damn.” Lexie turned and passed him her keys and purse. “Could you hold on to these for me?”
    It wasn’t a feather, but it made Zac take two steps back in shock.
    The light outside the door to their old room showed the color in the woman’s cheeks.
    “No,” he said in disbelief.
    She dropped her gaze. “Peer pressure… Triplet pressure…”
    Without another word, she ghosted away and headed towards her sisters. She wasn’t as enthusiastic or as hurried. Taking off her dress took longer, and she left on her bra and panties.
    Who would have thought that Maxie would have been faster to rush the pool? And that she would have stripped down further?
    “Come on, Lex,” Roxie yelled. “Hurry that skinny butt up.”
    With a squeal, classy Lexie Underhill jumped in. She didn’t make a big splash. At most, she caused a tiny ripple, but when she