Katie looked back at Logan, who was laughing at something Ryan was saying. “I take after my mom’s family. He’s like my dad.”

“What does your dad do?”

“He’s a lawyer,” Katie said.

“He must be good at it.” Matt’s gaze traveled around the elaborate stone patio.

Katie shrugged. “I guess.” Her father was the last person she wanted to discuss. “He’s an asshole.”

Matt’s eyes returned to Katie. “You shouldn’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s true.”

“Does he hit you?”

“Of course not.” Katie frowned.

“You said he was an asshole.”

“He put me on restriction for six months,” she reminded him, feeling defensive. “And now I can barely breathe without his permission.”

“At least he gives a fuck about you.”

“You don’t know that.” She didn’t want to argue with him, but she didn’t want him to believe her father was some saint.

“That’s what it sounds like to me.”

“You’re wrong, he—” She stopped midsentence and began to sputter when he splashed water in her face.

“Just cooling you off, Hunter.”

“You asshole.” She began to splash him back as she backed away to avoid the onslaught of water, and then he was launching himself at her and grabbing her around the waist as he dunked her backwards into the water.

Katie gripped his shoulders, pulling him under with her and wrapping her legs around his waist so he couldn’t get away. He’s all muscle was her first thought, followed quickly by the realization she was skin to skin with him. When they came up for air, they were both laughing and then he was looking into her eyes, their faces just inches apart, and she never wanted the moment to end. His black eyelashes, glistening with droplets of water, were the thickest she’d ever seen, and, as she returned his gaze, her heart began to beat harder. She felt a burning deep in her stomach she’d never felt before.

Matt’s gaze shifted to something behind Katie, and she felt his body stiffen. “I think your dad’s coming.”

Katie scrambled away from Matt, her eyes swinging past the far side of the pool to the stone path leading up to the driveway, where her father was making his way down towards them. “That’s him.” Of all the days he chose to come home early, why did it have to be this day?

Her father stopped briefly to greet the group on the far side of the pool before making his way to them. “What are you doing home?” Katie asked as she looked up at her dad, who was standing two feet from them, still wearing his suit pants and dress shirt. He looked bigger and more imposing than usual, due in part to the fact they were standing in a pool three feet below him.

“And you are?” he asked Matt, ignoring Katie’s question.

“Matt.”

“Do you have a last name, Matt?”

“Hudson.”

“How old are you?”

“Eighteen,” Matt answered, and Katie could tell he was nervous. His face was flushed, and one of his hands was gripping the side of his bathing suit. She stepped closer to him, not wanting him to feel intimidated by her father.