“Come in the water, Alex.” He applied a gentle pull on the chain linked to the collar entrapping my neck.

I cowered at the edge as water lapped my toes, buck-naked. The sun blared heat through the trees, and though Rafe said the water wasn’t icy cold, I wasn’t so sure about that.

Of course, that wasn’t the reason I didn’t want to go in.

“Don’t make me do this,” I pleaded. And make me, he would, unless I was able to convince him not to drag me in by that chain. My hands were cuffed behind me, leaving me helpless to his will.

“You’re coming in this water. Question is, do you want in the easy way, or the hard way?”

“No way,” I said, then bit my lip.

“Sweetheart,” he said with another tug on the chain. I braced my heels on the ground. “You’ve gotta conquer this fear. One of these days, we’re gonna go back to the island. I want you free of fear. I want you to fucking trust me.”

A sob tried bursting free, but I held it in and took a tentative step forward, sinking my toes in. The floor of the lake was sandy, soft, and it settled under my weight.

“Good girl.”

I’d barely taken a step, but his approval warmed me more than the sun ever could. Another step brought me fully into the water, just up to my ankles. Rafe stood hip deep several yards in front of me.

“Keep walking towards me, babe. I promise, when you get here, I’ll make it worth your while.”

A delicious shiver trailed down my legs. I took another step, then another, certain my heart would burst from my chest. I glued my gaze to him, afraid to look anywhere else.

His eyes roamed over my puckered nipples, and he licked his lips. “You’re doing great.”

“I really hate you right now.”

“Get your ass over here, and I can guarantee I’ll have you declaring your love for me to God and anyone else in earshot.”

No one else was out here, which was the point. We’d found a place so secluded to set up camp, I wasn’t sure even Bigfoot could find this place. I spanned the last few feet and stood before him, collared, my hands useless, and waist deep in water.

This was a test of trust, in addition to pushing me beyond my phobia. He unhooked the chain from my throat and tossed it to shore, then he cupped his hands in the water and released it over my breasts. The cool drops dribbled over my nipples, and I whimpered.

Giving me a lopsided grin, he brushed his thumb over one aching bud before sliding his palm down my stomach. His fingers slid between my thighs, circling my clit.

“Oh God…Rafe…”