Compromising Kessen (The Vandenbrook #1)(42)
Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Christian’s hand went firmly around her waist. “We are here scaling this monstrous rock, because our friends thought it would be a good team-building exercise, since you are so prone to physical violence in regular sports.”

“In theory a good idea,” she said dryly.

“In theory,” he agreed, laughing. “I think we only have a few more steps before the rumored waterfall.”

She nodded and felt him give her another nudge up the rock as she pulled herself to the top and sat. It was a breathtaking view of a ridiculous amount of landscape. It wasn’t breathtaking enough to help her forget just how high they were, but it was enough for her to appreciate the feat she had just accomplished. How was it that Nick and Duncan had managed to find the one giant rock wall in an area covered with more rolling green land than hills was beyond her. A very small part of her mind said there was no waterfall at the other end of their little adventure, and they merely did this to vex her.

Christian pulled himself up next to her. She couldn’t help but admire the cords of muscle which lined his biceps and forearms. Maybe he took drugs, or maybe he had good genes. Hmm … good genes meant good bloodlines, which equaled strong, healthy kids.

Her eyes widened in shock as she mentally scolded herself. What she needed was a good slap. What was she thinking? Kids? With Christian? She blushed as he turned to throw her one of his devastating smiles.

“I would love to know what caused the beautiful blush now gracing your cheeks,” he said, out of breath.

“I, uh…”

“Always such eloquent speech, America.”

“So we’re back to the nicknames?” she asked.

“Only when you butcher my language.” He took a sip of water and lay down.

Her gaze traveled across his broad chest down to his abdominals.

“If you want me to take off my shirt, you can just ask, Kessen.”

“Please,” she mocked and turned away.

“Are you asking, or are you mocking?” His lips tickled her ear in an annoyingly flirty way.

“I’m—”

“No way!” He pushed off the rock and laughed. “There it is! Apparently, our friends are good for something!”

She turned to see what he was looking at and gasped. A beautiful waterfall was hiding behind a few trees near some rock caves that looked suspiciously man-made. She laughed and didn’t even mind when Christian pulled her to his side for an embrace.

“It’s stunning!” she murmured.

“Care for a swim?” He looked down at her questioningly.

“Sure!” The word was out before she could think twice.

And then Christian’s shirt came off.

All bets went out the window.

If he noticed the blush creeping up her cheeks, and her eyes which were now bugging out, he was too much of a gentleman to say anything.

He went running toward the waterfall, leaving Kessen no choice but to chase after him, something in hindsight she should have put more thought into, especially considering the fact that once she reached the waterfall she couldn’t find him.

“Christian?” she called, getting closer and closer to the edge. “Christian?”

“Gotcha!” He grabbed her from behind sending her into near hysterics. She pushed him away, but could only pry her one arm free. She began pinching him.

“Doesn’t hurt, doesn’t hurt!” he protested through clenched teeth. “Mind over matter!”

Stubborn man.

“How about a compromise?” he asked.

“What kind of compromise?”

“You take off your clothes for a swim, and I won’t push you in.”

“I am not skinny-dipping with you!” She started punching his chest with her free hand.

“Settle down!” he snapped, pulling her hand away from his chest. “I didn’t say get naked, did I?”

The man had a point.

“You did wear a swimsuit underneath, just in case. Correct?”

She blushed wildly. In all her rage, she had forgotten she had in fact worn a swimsuit that morning just in case there was a waterfall. Granted, it was a bikini, but a swimsuit nonetheless.

“So?” he released her arms.

“Turn around,” she ordered.

He let out a snort. “You’re kidding, right? The world has seen what you look like in a swimsuit. I don’t see why this is any different?”

She crossed her arms.

“Fine.” He turned around and stripped down to his euro shorts.

Kessen tried not to stare, but the man was wearing tiny shorts—tiny shorts which would have otherwise made her laugh out loud, because they were so ugly and feminine-looking. But they didn’t look that way on Christian. Not at all. Christian looked like a better version of James Bond.

It made her want to fight crime with him, which was an altogether weird thought. Kessen tried to calm herself as she stripped down to her bikini. It was white with gold clasps on the bottoms and top. It was almost Grecian in appearance; of course, there was much more material on a Grecian dress, or at least she assumed so.

“You can look now,” she said, putting her hair up into a ponytail.

The only good thing about the situation was, she knew she had a nice body. Granted Christian also had a nice body, but it would be good to be able to torture him for a change, rather than the other way around.

She wasn’t sure what she expected, but it was a lot more than what she got, which was a brief shoulder shrug and then his back turned toward her.

He actually turned away; he didn’t even look.

It made her want to try harder, despite the fact she knew it was an unwise course of action. She followed Christian carefully into the water, then paused; it was colder than she thought it would be. What she wouldn’t do for a hot spring!

On the last step, when Christian turned around to look at her, she tripped. It was supposed to be on purpose but ended up being by total accident, which made it look better than she had intended. Christian, always the hero, grabbed her before she went headfirst into the water. Her chest was now pressed against his. The plan wasn’t working how she had hoped. Instead of him being affected, she felt it was only her.

Her breathing had become so ragged, she was afraid she would pass out. Thankfully, Christian had enough good sense to let her go; otherwise, she would have mauled him right there in the middle of the water.

Didn’t he want her? What was wrong with him? He was more interested in her when she was fully clothed! Was it all a game? Did he want nothing to do with her? Was she not what he expected? Never in her life had she felt more insecure. She wrapped her arms around her middle and sat near the rock furthest from Christian.