“I’m trying to help you find your inner child,” he told her.

He laughed with her as the torture continued, his fingers finding every sensitive place on her body. She squirmed beneath him, but he showed no mercy. Finally, when she couldn’t breathe anymore, he relented.

“Do you admit it’s more fun to never grow up?” he asked.

“No,” she said. He reached toward her again. “I mean, yes, yes,” she yelled.

He laughed and backed up, allowing her to scramble away from him. Chloe wouldn’t admit it to him, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed that hard. He might just have a point with what he’d been saying. Then again, it might also be that she’d consumed too much wine.

“We really should get back,” she told him. Though she hated to see the night end, it was late and they had a busy day of therapy starting in the morning.

“Want to have a sleepover?” he asked with a wink. She stood up quickly and smiled down at him.

“I don’t think so,” she said, but there wasn’t any bite to her words. “How deep is this water?” she asked as she looked out at the calm blackness.

“Deep enough for fishing and swimming,” he said. She could see he was struggling to get to his feet without showing her it caused him pain.

“I should test it out before I leave,” she said. She turned away to give him the privacy he deserved. He didn’t say anything as he stood, but she was sure he appreciated the gesture. He walked over and stood next to her at the edge of the dock.

“It’s cold, but refreshing,” he told her. He grabbed her arm and tipped her like he was going to push her in. She squealed and reacted fast, stepping back and shoving.

In horror, Chloe watched Nick lose his balance as he favored his injured knee. She was too slow when she reached for him, and almost in slow motion, he tumbled over the side of the dock, a loud splash telling her the moment he hit the water. She was too stunned to move as she watched him pop back up, his eyes wide, his teeth clenched. A shiver raced through him.

“Okay, it’s a bit more than cold,” he said, his teeth chattering.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, horrified by what she’d done. “Is your leg okay?” If she’d caused him further injury, she would never forgive herself.

“I can’t feel it so I’m assuming it’s fine,” he said as he came closer to the dock.

“You shouldn’t have pushed me. I just reacted,” she scolded him.

“Good to know.” He then grinned at her. “Want to join me? Now that I’m used to the water, a night swim seems like an excellent idea.

“Um, no way,” she said. “I was thinking about a swim in the middle of the day when it’s nice and hot out.”

He gave her a grin that she was beginning to realize meant trouble. She took a step back. Suddenly his face changed, and he looked injured and weak.

“I don’t think I can get out on my own,” he said, sounding forlorn.

“Oh, don’t be a baby. I see you get out of the pool all the time,” she said. He started to sink.

“Nick . . . Nick!” Screaming as his head went under, she dropped to her knees and reached out for him.

That was her first and last mistake. Like a shot, he jumped back up and grabbed her hand. It didn’t take much before he had her flying through the air, landing in the water right next to him.

Spluttering as she surfaced, Chloe was seriously worried her limbs might break off.

“This is freezing,” she said in a chatter, the words drawn out in her agony. “Not swimmable even when it’s hot out.”

Nick tugged her into his arms, and that’s when she realized the water only came up to their chests. He’d been faking it the whole time to get her to the edge of the dock so he could have his revenge. If she believed in payback, he’d be in serious trouble. But unlike him, she was an adult and didn’t stoop to such measures.

She tried to pull away, but he yanked her into his arms, wrapping himself around her tightly, pressing her body to his chest. Unbelievably, it was warm. Instead of trying to pull away, she pressed closer to him.

“Our date can’t end without a kiss,” he said. He didn’t give her time to think, simply bent his head and took her breath away.

The kiss was consuming as he traced her lips before pushing inside her mouth and taking possession of her. He reached down and clasped her butt, tugging her against his body. She was shocked when she felt his thickness pressing into her. With the temperature of the water, she wouldn’t have thought he’d be able to grow excited.

He devoured her mouth and she fell into him, forgetting all the reasons why they shouldn’t be kissing, touching, groping each other.

One hand gripped her hair, and he pulled her more tightly to him, taking possession of her mouth. She forgot about the cold water enveloping them, and simply allowed herself to get lost in his embrace. But when a shiver wracked her body, he pulled back, reluctance written all over his face.

“I picked the wrong time to start this,” he said, his fingers caressing her cheek. “As soon as we climb from this water, you’ll put your wall back up and run away.”

She wanted to lean forward, connect their lips again, and prove him wrong. But he was right. Tugging against his hold, she almost regretted it when he released her. No matter how much she might want to take his advice and be a kid, that wasn’t who she was.