Around nine, I walk down to the pool. My swimsuit remains hidden under jeans and a flannel shirt. I’d been so curious about Cap half-naked and wet that I hadn’t put much thought into how I’d also be half-naked and wet. Now it’s my biggest concern. Well, until I realize the pool is filled with clearly drunk jackasses splashing each other like stupid children.

“Are you almost done?” I ask, trying my damnedest to sound tough.

The head jackass looks me up and down. I guess I’m not hot enough to drool over because he turns away. “The pool closes in twenty minutes. We’ll be done then. You can hop in and play with us.”

Rolling my eyes, I storm to the front desk where a twenty-something, clearly sober jackass tells me that he can’t kick them out for splashing. Oh, besides the pool closes in twenty minutes.

“The sign said it closed at eleven. The front desk lady earlier said it closed at eleven.”

“Sorry, but I’m closing it early because we’re short-staffed.”

“I have a friend visiting, and we would like to use the pool alone. Can’t you get rid of those rowdy people, and let us stay? We’ll be low-key. I promise.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

“I could make it worth your while,” I say in my softest, warmest voice.

“I’m married.”

“Eww, I’m not offering sex. I meant, money.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

Shaking my head, I’m so pissed I can’t speak. Inviting Cap here to see me half naked was supposed to be the difficult part.

A hand cups the back of my head and I turn to punch the touchy asshole. Cap only smiles when I pound my fist into his chest.

“You keep shaking your head like that, and it’s bound to fall off.”

Exhaling loudly, I know I’m pouting. “We can’t swim. The pool is closing, and there are losers here, and you took too long to get here, and I think it’s your fault, but also that guy’s fault. Plus maybe also the pool idiots’ fault. But mainly, if I'm honest, it’s my fault for not inviting you earlier.”

Cap leans down and smiles sweetly. “It’s not your fault at all. I understand why you didn’t call earlier. My sexy body and handsome mug are bound to intimidate even a delicious diva like you. Your brain is doing its best to keep up.”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Farmer Ted.”

“My skin gets really excited when you call me that. Like on fire. Want to know what else my body feels when you say those words?”

“No,” I say, feeling exposed despite my jeans and flannel shirt. “You might as well leave since we can’t swim.”

Cap leans his head back and laughs. “Your expression is priceless.”

Before I can spout off my usual bullshit as a way to hide my disappointment—and embarrassment at him calling me out on my bullshit—Cap walks over to the front desk.

“Hey, pal, buddy, friend,” Cap says, smiling in the friendliest fucking way as he taps the guy’s nametag reading “Ethan.” Despite the giant’s affable words and demeanor, he reeks of menace. “Do you happen to know who I am?”

“Yes.”

“Yes?” Cap asks, leaning closer as if he hadn’t heard correctly.

“Yes, sir.”

“Then you might understand how I wouldn’t ask for a favor if I didn’t truly need one. Ethan, you might be thinking that I’m making too big a deal about swimming tonight with this lovely lady. Well, I’ll tell you, friend, I can’t share the specifics, but I will say if we can’t spend an hour or two frolicking in the pool, the regret will eat me apart.”

His words sound nearly romantic, but I’m very aware of the threat behind them. Ethan no doubt hears the threat too because he swallows way too deeply and even chokes a little.

“It’s cool,” Ethan mumbles. “I’ll clear out the pool a little early, and you can swim as long as you want.”

“You’re a good guy, Ethan. Here’s something to make the holidays a little brighter.”

Cap slides cash—several twenties though I can’t tell how many—across the front desk before turning to me.

“Are you wearing your suit?” he asks, eyeing my body.

“No.”

“Are you planning to swim in jeans?”

“No.”

Cap’s upper lip curls into something between a smile and a snarl. He glances at Ethan who rushes toward the pool. I study Cap and wonder if he’s wearing a suit under his clothes. Imagining a swim trunk on his tall, powerful frame, I exhale softly and try not to blush with animal heat. When my mind flashes with a thought of him in Speedos, I nearly pass out.

“If you need to get your bikini, get moving, Pipsqueak.”

“Screw yourself, Farmer Ted.”

“I did before driving over. Figured I shouldn’t sport a hard-on before I even saw all your bare wet skin.”

Stuck in speechless mode, I enjoy the thought of him jacking his colossal salami before showing up. I’m silent for so long Cap snaps his fingers in front of my face.

“Earth to sexy girl. Where are you at?”

“My suit is under my clothes, and there’s a restroom in the pool area.”

“Get to stripping then.”

I turn on my heel and hurry toward where Ethan now ushers the drunks from the pool. They give me a dirty look when I pass them. Glancing back, I notice their bravado flees as soon as Cap unleashes the full force of his menacing glare. I look forward and smile to myself. Because of my pop, I have a soft spot for scary men, and Cap makes scary look easy.

Making a beeline into the tiny restroom, I lock the door. I strip out of my jeans, flannel top, and T-shirt before standing in front of the mirror. I’ve always felt like I have curves in all the right places. So why can’t I walk out of the bathroom?

In the harsh fluorescent light, my butt looks too flat and my hips too wide. I’m fairly certain the sandwich earlier landed straight in my gut because I seem to have packed on a few pounds.

Remembering Josi’s words, I know I’m not special enough for someone like Cap. The woman in the mirror is average. Not ugly or dumb or bad. Just average. The man out in the pool area probably doesn’t even crap average.

I finally pry my gaze from the mirror long enough to open the door a crack and check outside.

Big mistake.

Casper Hayes is a fucking stallion standing in perfectly fitting black trunks. He acts oblivious to my peeking, but I bet he knows I’m there. Like the dick he is, the man lifts his arms in the air and leans right and left to stretch out his waist. Watching his thick, powerful, and of course, tan muscles flexing, I wish my pop would come downstairs and demand I get my ass back to the room.

I shut the door and consider putting on my shirt. There’s no need for me to act like a harlot looking to ride his bologna pony. Yeah, I’ll play things coy and act hard to get. I have my entire plan ready until realizing I didn’t lock the door. I turn just in time to see Cap reaching his giant hand inside.

“Didn’t you hear what I told our pal, Ethan, out there?” he asks, wrapping his fingers just above my elbow. “Time’s running out on our weekend, Pip. Now get your sexy ass out here and swim.”

My attempts to batter his bare chest with my fists goes about as well as when I hit him earlier.

“I just want to pee again,” I cry while fighting to break free of his gentle yet unyielding grip.

“Nope,” he says, tugging me into the pool area and toward the steps. “You can pee in the pool.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“Don’t be a prude, Johansson. The world is covered in pee. It’s everywhere, so you best get used to it.”

I have no response to such a bizarre declaration. Besides, he’s already effortlessly forced me into the shallow end of the pool. There’s no reason to protest now.

Or hide my appearance when I’m already on full display. I think to cross my arms and cover my boobs. I don’t, though, because Cap’s expression spellbinds me. I swear with just a look that he erases my earlier insecurities.

Unable to decipher the look on his ruggedly handsome face, I whisper, “Why are you staring at me?”

“Realizing you’re the woman of my dreams is a helluva thing.”