We run in silence for a half hour. Our breathing syncs, as do our footsteps. The path curves along the water’s edge and we come to a more secluded area.

“Does this go all the way around back to your place?”

“Eventually, probably. I’ve never tested it. It’s got to be seven or eight miles.”

I stop and my chest lifts and falls as I suck in deep breaths. “Fuck that.”

Tanner stops and comes back with a smirk on his face. “You’re cute when you cuss.”

“Shut it.” I start back at a jog in the opposite direction. I don’t hear Tanner’s steps behind me and glance over my shoulder. “Are you coming?”

He’s kicked off his socks and shoes and is pulling his shorts down, giving me a glimpse of his black boxer briefs.

“What are you doing?”

“Cooling off. It’s about a thousand degrees out here. Who goes for a run in this heat?”

“You didn’t have to come.” Sweat drips down my neck.

“But I did and now I want to swim for a few minutes.” He inches his boxer briefs down and then pauses. “Better look away unless you want to see my very white ass.”

Rolling my eyes, I give him my back. “Since when are you so modest?”

“I’m not, but thought I’d give you the chance to choose whether or not you looked. All right. I’m going in.”

I turn in time to see a flash of his backside as he jumps in, holding a hand over his dick. He goes under and comes back up with a smile and runs a hand over his face and pushes his hair out of his eyes.

“I am not skinny dipping with you.”

“Your loss.” He makes a big show of tilting back and floating in the water. Relaxed and enjoying himself far too much.

He’s not even looking at me, but as soon as I toe off the first shoe, he grins all too knowingly.

I strip down to my sports bra and then hesitate with my shorts, finally saying screw it and adding them to my pile of clothes. While it isn’t a bathing suit, my bra and underwear cover more than some of my bikinis. I walk out onto the small dock and Tanner swims closer.

A few boats dot the water in the distance, but other than that, there’s no one around. I jump in, the cold jolting me at first.

“Oh, that does feel nice.”

“Told you.”

Closing my eyes, I lay back and float beside him. The sun is still hot, but the chill of the water makes it perfect.

“Sometimes, I guess, you have good ideas.”

“Sometimes?” A spray of water hits my face.

Keeping my eyes closed, I splash in the general direction of him. “I need a lake house. It’s my new life goal.”