“You all right? Feeling any better?” He shuffled his feet.
I stood from the sofa, lowering my head slightly, and gazed up at him. “I will be after you settle your debt first.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Debt?”
Realization hit right away. His eyes went wide, and he cracked a grin as I walked to him. My fingers curled under the bottom of his shirt. I knew it was bold of me, but I also knew Calvin liked bold. He seemed to overthink and overanalyze everything, which was surprising for a country boy like himself. I pulled his shirt up over his head and dropped it on the floor beside him. I could practically see his heart pulsating in his chest. His breath quickened, and he quickly licked his lips like he was preparing for me to kiss him. But I wouldn’t, at least not yet. My eyes slithered up his stomach, to his chest, and then landed on his eyes. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bouncing up and down.
I patted his shoulder. “You have a river to jump in.”
Calvin let out a deep breath and chuckled as I walked to the back door.
I looked back at him with a smirk. “You coming?”
He playfully shook his head and grinned. “Grace Evans, you astound me.”
See? He liked bold.
The dewy grass felt refreshing beneath my bare feet. Calvin followed behind almost stumbling like Bambi learning how to walk. I think he was too stunned and too excited for his usual cool, country boy stroll.
At the riverbank, Calvin slid his jeans down and kicked them off. He bent down, slowly removing each sock. When he was finished, he stood in front of me wearing just a pair of navy blue boxers. At that point, I didn’t even really want him to jump in. I just wanted to watch him, to study him, to take in every muscle bulge and crevice, every scar, every freckle, every inch of his skin. But a bet was a bet.
“Boxers too.”
He looked down at himself and shuffled his feet. “Oh, come on.”
“You lost the bet, Calvin. It’s time to pay up.”
He huffed, but I knew it was just for show. He slid off his boxers and quickly covered himself before I could really see anything. Calvin looked at the dark, murky water, hesitating for a moment. The reflection from the moon and stars glimmered across it, creating a mirror of the sky. There was a small splash downstream, a fish, I presumed. I thought it would scare Calvin, and he’d refuse to jump in. But it didn’t. He was used to nature.
“Consider my debt paid in full, Grace,” he said, uncovering himself and jumping quickly into the river. Calvin came up for air and tossed his head back, shaking the water from him.
“How is it?” I asked, giving him a pleased smile.
“It’s actually nice.” He wiped his face with his hand while treading water. “You should come in.”
I glanced down at my silk pajamas. “I’m not wearing the right swimming clothes.”
“Well, go ahead and take them off,” he teased. “I’ll turn around, and I promise I won’t peek.”
I looked down the river one way and then the other. It was endless in both directions, disappearing only behind bends or trees. Calvin had the biggest smile on his face while he waited. I wanted to say no. I had no idea what was in that water, how vulnerable I’d be in there, but I wasn’t one to back away from a challenge.
“Fine. But no looking.”
“Cross my heart,” he said, turning away.
I quickly slid my bottoms off and removed my top. I hesitated for a moment, standing there completely unclothed. Calvin didn’t look. I was surprised. He was a man of his word. Most men weren’t. I jumped in and let out a squeal. The water was cool but refreshing, just as he said it was. I was underwater for only a few seconds before I reached the surface. Wiping my face, I leaned my head back, letting the water coat and smooth out my hair.
Calvin turned around, and that same smile was still on his face. His eyes flickered with desire—or was it something else? I couldn’t be sure.
“You all right?” he asked.
I nodded and playfully splashed a little water at him, letting out a high-pitched laugh. He did the same back. As we swam, the seconds became minutes, and we got closer and closer until we were only a few feet apart. My leg bumped his first.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he said.
“Thanks for teaching me to fish today.”
“It was my pleasure, and I’m glad you caught one before me.”
We smiled and continued to tread, swimming around one another until the minutes became an hour.
“How was your night with Charlotte?” I finally asked, interrupting the silence we both were obviously fond of.
“Uneventful. I just worked the whole time.”
“You know she likes you?” It was a question, but I didn’t think he’d have an answer for it.
“I know,” he admitted.
“You know she also doesn’t like me?”
“I know that too.”
“Why do you think that is?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
He wiped his face and swam a little closer. The moon caught the whites of his eyes, almost making them glow. “I think you know why, Grace.”
It was too fast, too soon. And I knew I needed to pull away.
“I’m going to head in,” I said, putting an end to where this conversation was heading.
Calvin pressed his lips together, and his eyes lost their glow. Disappointment kept people wanting more. It was fuel for their desires. He didn’t say anything and just turned around instead.
“No peeking.” I swam to the edge of the river and climbed out. Picking up my pajamas, I opted not to put them on. Instead, I walked back toward the house unclothed, letting the cool summer night graze my skin. I glanced back once, and I saw Calvin looking over his shoulder, watching me walk away. Perhaps he wasn’t as true to his word as I thought he was. You never really know a person.
Day Four
14.
Calvin
“That’s a good girl, Gretchen.” I ran a body brush over her shoulder and down her back. George nuzzled me with his chin. He always wanted extra attention, especially when I was giving it to Gretchen. It was a normal Wyoming day—the sun ablaze with big blue skies that reached the ends of the earth. The air was still and warm—not even a breeze.
“I’ve already brushed you, George.” I scratched his forehead with my free hand, my mind wandering to our houseguest. “It’s been an odd couple of days with Grace in the house. I just don’t know how to act around her. One minute, she’s hot, and the next, she’s cold. Makes me nervous, and I’m not sure if it’s in a good way or not.”
I applied some pressure as I moved the body brush in large strokes along Gretchen’s back. She moved into it, signaling that she was thoroughly enjoying it.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being silly. I know I fall too hard, too fast. It’s how I’ve always been, and it’s probably why my relationships always end. I know I’m not ready for anything—in more ways than one—but I also don’t think I can help myself.” I looked at George and then Gretchen. They turned out their ears and lowered their heads.
I set the brush down and grabbed two carrots from a bucket, holding them out. Gretchen and George bit at them. I like to think they were chewing on the words I had spoken, but I’m sure they were just chewing on carrots.