Crazy for Lovin’ You by Teresa Southwick Page A

than a whole lot of people and he didn’t need anyone’s pity.
    Ever since he’d returned to Destiny, he’d had a nagging sense of putting away the past, making peace with it. On top of that, another feeling pestered him: that she worked too hard, and needed some fun in her life. He figured a mad-as-hell Taylor was better than the serious woman he’d just ambushed.
    â€œYou son of a rabid coyote,” she shouted. “Why did you do that?”
    He shrugged as he stared down at her. “You looked hot.”
    â€œI wasn’t, but I am now,” she shot back, pushing wet hair out of her eyes. She stroked through the waterand reached the side of the pool where she hung on. “These jeans are heavy.”
    â€œI seem to remember something about that.” He reached a hand down to her. “Unlike you, I’ll help you out.”
    â€œBecause you’re a nice guy.” She only hesitated a moment before grabbing on with both hands. “A true Texas gentleman,” she said wryly. There was a gleam in her eyes and saccharine dripped from the words. “How’s your leg?”
    â€œFine,” he said, but her tone had warned him.
    He was prepared when she braced her feet against the side of the pool, then yanked for all she was worth. He could have resisted easily, but he let her pull him in.
    He surfaced almost instantly and saw her struggling to climb out. “No, you don’t.”
    He reached out with one arm and seized her around the waist, hauling her up against him. He settled her back to his front.
    She tried unsuccessfully to break his grip. “Let me go. We’re even now, Mitch.”
    â€œNope. You’re still one up.”
    â€œBut you’re a Texas gentleman,” she reminded him.
    â€œI’ve been living in California. The West Coasters weirded it out of me,” he answered.
    Looking over her shoulder, he was distracted by the sight of her breasts, just above where his arm encircled her waist. Her pink cotton blouse, so crisp and clean just that morning, was now wet and all but transparent. Her white bra was clearly visible beneath the soaked material. He could practically identify the brand, and it wasn’t satin or lace. Just serviceable cotton, plain and practical. He swore he could see the dusky shadowof her nipples. Water everywhere, but his mouth went dry.
    Heat flashed through him in spite of the cool water. It didn’t make any difference that a perfectly respectable tank suit would show more skin than she revealed in her drenched clothes. But Taylor Stevens wet and in his arms made him think about things he shouldn’t—about how she would look without the layers of clothing.
    He didn’t know he’d loosened his grip until she suddenly turned in his arms and lunged halfway out of the water to get the leverage she needed to push on his shoulders and dunk him.
    When he surfaced, she was trying to get away, stroking for the shallow end of the pool. “Not so fast,” he said, reaching after her. “Cheaters never prosper.”
    â€œI didn’t cheat. All’s fair in love and war.” She glanced over her shoulder and squealed when he stretched out his arm and caught her slender ankle. Slowly he pulled her toward him. “This is war,” she said, trying to pull her foot away.
    â€œDamn right it is.” He could stand on the bottom, giving him the advantage he needed. Gripping her waist, he lifted her and arced her body up and into the water with a splash.
    She came up laughing and shrieked as he made a move toward where she was treading water. “You’ve got me on size and strength, Rafferty. But I’m not above using teeth and nails as weapons.”
    â€œA true Texas lady,” he said, grinning.
    â€œA girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”
    â€œOkay. I give up,” he said. He held up his hands.
    She blinked and pushed her dripping hair out