The Bet (The Badboy's Claim Series #1) ✔️

THIRTY-TWO

I jerked my head up, I realized we were away from the rest of the class. "Where are you taking me?" I asked, my voice wavering in confusion.

He didn't respond back to me. Just kept walking.

"I swear, I hate you sometimes," I mumbled but, I know he heard me.

Several minutes past and he finally stopped, settling me down on the ground again. I shot him a glare. "Was that really necessary?"

He flashed me a boyish grin. "Yes, it was."

"I would have come with you if you just asked."

"Wouldn't have been fun and you deserve a little break."

I bit the inside of my cheek and turned around to a beautiful lake shining under the sunrise. I couldn't let him see my blushing again. Ugh. Why does he have to make me feel this way? I watched the fallen leaves drifting in circles upon the ruffles created by the chilly morning wind.

I stared in awe, taking steps forward to the water. "How did you find this?"

"Well, I went exploring while you were sleep."

"Hope you had fun, Dora."

Finally, I faced him to see he was only in his shorts, his abs on full display. I'll never get used to how sculpted he looked. I kept my eyes on him, making sure he didn't see me checking his body out. "You couldn't wait, could you?"

"Nope. It's your turn to strip."

I brushed off the double meaning of that sentence and waved my hand dismissively. "I don't want to swim..."

"Come on, Kitten." He took a step forward. "Or do you want me to strip you?"

I threw my hands up, stopping him from coming closer. "No thanks!"

He chuckled before giving a boyish grin and I couldn't help but, smile back at him. I wasn't sure what it was but, he seemed so bright today. Like he didn't have any worries on his mind and he was enjoying himself for once.

I sighed, cursing my soft side for him. "I'll come in the water with you but, I'm not chang-"

Before I could finish my sentence, he scooped me up bridal style as he walked towards the water. "Wait, um... I change my mind!"

"No take backs!" He said in sing-song. My heartbeat quickened as I tried looking for the bottom but, it was nowhere to be found. I put my head in his neck, clawing into his shoulders for my dear life. "W-We're way too far from the shore."

"Kitten, we aren't even that far." From his goofy ass smile, he thought we are playing around. I definitely wasn't and I wanted to be safe but, since he was taller than me by a whole inch, he'd go deeper into the water.

"Ready?" His grip started to loosen on me.

"No! Don't let me go!" I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging onto him.

"You can't swim?" He asked.

"I can but, it's reassuring to still feel my feet," I explained timidly.

"We aren't that far into the lake, Kitten." He kept his hands on my waist as he settled me down in the water. Relief washed over me when my toes sunk into the sand. I embarrassed myself all for nothing.  I looked up at him and he was smirking of course.

"You're annoying."

He rolled his eyes but, he looked slightly disturbed.  He reached over his back, rubbing it. "Damn, you scratched me pretty deep, Kitten."