Was it everything Micah had ever wanted from Damon? Yes.

Would he have already been straddling the man and attempting to suck his soul out through his mouth a month – hell, maybe even a few weeks – ago? Also yes.

But that was before the feelings Micah had for him became all-consuming. Sure, he’d have been brokenhearted if they’d fucked and then things had gone sideways weeks ago, but now? If he let Damon kiss him – fuck him – he knew he’d be ruined if (when) everything went to hell.

And they would go to hell.

Because Damon ran a crime syndicate, and Micah was a cop, and there was no way they could make a real relationship work between them.

So instead of leaning forward and meeting Damon halfway as he inched closer, Micah did the only thing he could think of to salvage the situation. He swept his arm through the water and splashed the man in the face.

Damon froze, his expression so flabbergasted as water dripped from his hair into his eyes that Micah couldn’t help but let out a real laugh despite the gravity of the moment. “Oops,” Micah offered.

Damon glared, and so distracted by the way water clumped in his eyelashes, Micah didn’t even see the tidal wave of water coming for his own face until it was too late.

Micah sputtered, choking on the warm water of the springs as it got into his mouth and nose.

What ensued was the most erotic water fight Micah had ever participated in. They half-splashed/half-wrestled each other in the little pool of water, Micah trying to climb the man and dunk him underwater at the same time as keeping the fact he had a borderline painful situation in his briefs under wraps.

By the time they were finished roughhousing, they were both soaked and red in the face from a mixture of strain and laughter. It was the happiest Micah had ever seen Damon, his white smile so blinding it was almost hard to look at.

Micah wanted to kiss it – kiss him – desperately. His resolve not to was hanging on by the barest of threads when a loud howl suddenly pierced the air.

Micah shot Damon a nervous look. “What was that?”

Damon shrugged, a smile still playing at his mouth. “Probably just a wolf.”

“Just a wolf?” he repeated incredulously. “Gee, try not to sound so concerned.”

“Lots of wild animals live out here – wolves, deer, wild boar. We hear them – even see them – on occasion, but they’ve never bothered us.”

Despite Damon’s reassurance, Micah was still spooked, so they agreed it was time to call it a night and head back to the house.