Page 137 of The Score

"I am. I do."

"I'm using you. You should use me, too."

"Pen." He releases a gust of air, something akin to a scoff. "We need this to be about your bucket list and nothing else."

"I know." I kiss him. "It is. I'll prove it. Just remind me— what are the official items we still have left?"

This time, his scoff comes out clear. "Puppies."

"I love puppies."

I'm still shivering. Bear holds me close, letting me borrow his warmth.

"And the one about the dark corner in a public place," he adds. "Those are the only two official items left, as far as I remember. Am I missing anything?"

"Oh, we both know I'll think of something else on the spot."

"It's basically like I gave you a blank cheque. Good thing I trust you, I guess."

I laugh. "Well, now you're forced to use me, too. New bucket list item! Success."

He makes a face that's half-humor, half-defeat. "You're going to wreck me, aren't you?"

"I'll be good and only wreck you while we're doing this together."

He chuckles. "All right, then."

With me close in his arms, he starts the journey back out of the lake. I grin as I pepper kisses over his face. The smile grows wider, when I feel him getting hard again despite the chilly water. He slows down as we approach the sandy edge.

"Drop me," I say.

"No." He holds me closer and keeps going, until the water is no higher than his ankles.

My skin cools fast in the night breeze. Drops run down my skin. The only source of heat are the points where we touch.

"Alright, cocky man. This isn't a competition. I know you can carry me but no need to show off."

"I'll show off as much as I like."

"Just because you can bench press who knows how much—"

He laughs, but doesn't give me a number. "Hold on, Penélope."

"Everytime you say that I— ahhhh…"

With feet firmly planted on the ground, he holds me with one hand on my ass. I hang from his shoulders. I'm not sure how, but he handles his cock and, next thing I know, he enters me.

I moan. "Holy shit."

I start shivering.

"Next stop, the shower," he says. "Someone needs to warm up."

The motion of him walking rocks me on him. We're both breathing hard as he goes up the cabin stairs to the deck, then across the door, toward the back.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Leon Karlsen." I whimper. "I didn't know I could wantthis."

"If you're going to wreck me—" he pushes me against the shower tiles— "then at least I should try to return the favor."

He turns on the water. I gasp. He fucks me with hot water falling on us, warming up our skin as our bodies burn from within.

After, we wash each other tenderly. He helps me into bed and kisses me goodnight. I'm limp at this point, and he envelopes me with his arms and blankets until all I can do is smile and lose myself to sleep.

I don't get to tell him, but sleeping like this with him is another item off my bucket list. And another ten billion out of ten.