" Stop it, Beau!” Ashton squealed as she ran around the side of the truck and away from the water hose I’d aimed her way.
“But you’ve got soap all over your arms. I’m just trying to wash it off,” I replied. Her laughter made something inside me tighten, and I forced myself not to think about it.
“Sure you were. By soaking me. I’d prefer the soapy arms, thank you very much.”
“Ah, come on, Ash. I was just trying to help. I promise I won’t do it again. Besides, you aren’t even wearing a white shirt. I’ve got no reason to hose you down.”
She walked cautiously around the front of my truck. She didn’t trust me. I dropped the hose and held up both my hands. “See, I promise,” I assured her.
She tilted her head to one side and bit her bottom lip. “Hmm, okay.”
I watched her slowly approach the bucket of soapy water to retrieve the sponge she’d dropped. Before I could respond, she stood up and hurled a large wet soapy sponge at my face and squealed in delight before turning and running back to the other side of the truck.
“You’ve asked for it now!” I yelled at her, and took off around the opposite side of the truck to catch her.
“I’m sorry!” she screamed through her laughter.
“Too late for apologies, darlin’. I’m taking you down. "

― Abbi Glines , The Vincent Boys (The Vincent Boys, #1)