Our Song Read Free Page B

looks at me like he knows I’m up to no good. I take him by the hand, and he follows me to my own slice of heaven in the middle of nowhere.
    We climb over the rocks to get to the other side of the creek and then walk for about a hundred yards before reaching the water hole.
    “Belle, what are we about to do?” Jake asks unsurely.
    “We are about to enjoy this beautiful summer Carolina day the best way I know how.”
    “And how’s that?”
    “In the water, duh?” Kicking off my shoes, I grab the rope swing and run straight for the water, screaming the entire way down.
    Once I surface, Jake is standing there with his arms crossed.
    “Are you comin’ or what?” I ask.
    Before I have time to process it, Jake is removing his T-shirt in one single motion. Hot-oh-mighty. With all the time we’ve been together, I can honestly say this is the first time I’ve seen him shirtless. God sure knew what He was doing when He created that boy. But, Jake doesn’t stop there; next, he removes his boots and then his damn jeans. Jake Bryant is standing there in nothing but a pair of plaid boxers. I definitely didn’t think this part through. He grabs the rope swing and jumps straight for me. I duck under the water to avoid the splash.
    When we both surface, it’s very evident that this has just crossed a line. Jake moves closer, wraps his arm around me, and pulls me to his body. My heart begins to beat out of my chest as he peers into my eyes.
    “You promise me that there’s nothing going on with you and Chase?”
    “I promise.”
    That’s all the reassurance that Jake needs as his lips get within inches of mine.
    “You know this will change things. Don’t you, Jake?”
    “I’m ready for a change, Belle,” he says as his lips crash into mine.
    Jake pulls me closer to the bank without letting our lips lose contact. Once we are at the bank, his hands move all over my body with a hunger that I’ve never felt before. Everything inside me is saying this is a great idea, but my head is screaming for us to stop. Screw it; I’ll clean up this mess later.
    I let my hands run through his short brown hair and lose myself in him. We get lost in each other for what feels like an eternity.
    As Jake begins to remove my tank top, I pull away slowly. It’s my reality check.
    “Um, Jake. I think we need to slow down. I mean, I don’t know. This is happening so fast, and I don’t want you to think that this is all I want.”
    Jake takes my hair and places it behind my ear as he gazes into my eyes. He smiles and moves in to graze my lips again.
    “Belle, this was bound to happen. I’m just glad it happened here instead of out on the road. This place feels real, just like you.”
    “But you know this isn’t a good idea.”
    “I’m willing to pay the price if you’re willing to go along for the ride.”
    I’ve never been one to live in the moment. I always weigh all my options, but there’s a first time for everything.
    “Jake Bryant, you better not hurt me. Do you understand?”
    He doesn’t answer; he just attacks my lips again to seal the deal.
    We make our way out of the water, and Jake slides his clothes back on as I drip dry. Once we are back at the four-wheelers, I stop him.
    “I just told everyone last night that we are strictly professional. You know this is gonna make me look like I’m a liar.”
    “Then, let’s not tell them.”
    “Jake, I don’t know if you’ve realized it, but I’m pretty much an open book around my family. The moment I stop talkin’ is the moment they know I’m full of shit.”
    “Well, don’t stop talkin’, and we can just try to keep this to ourselves until we are back on the road.”
    “You’re gonna get me in so much trouble,” I say as I close our distance and leave him with a kiss that will have him wanting more. I back away, crank up the four-wheeler, and take off. He knows my game this time and catches up quickly.
    Once we get back, things feel a little awkward as we try to