Bad Boy Blues - Jessica Lemmon Page 0,19
smile, a wide chest—those were nice features on anyone. But a man who'd never mistreat her just to feel better about himself? Yes, please.
She poured a mug of coffee for him. When he took it, his fingers lingered on hers the way they had at the coffee shop.
“Is this you trying?” she whispered, unable to break the intense eye contact.
“Yeah. Is it working?”
She’d been nervous he might pressure or overwhelm her. Turned out his version of trying was earnestness and a whole lot of sexy.
“It’s working.”
He leaned a hip on the countertop next to her. “In that case, Jet Ski or boat?”
“Pardon?”
“I owe you a tour. It’s a cloudless, sunny day, and your chariot awaits.”
“And by chariot, you mean…”
“Jet Ski or boat,” he repeated.
It’d been so long since a guy had asked for and respected her preference she nearly hesitated. But once again, Brady had left her charmed and flummoxed at once.
“Jet Ski.”
He took a sip of his coffee, but not before he smiled down at her and said, “That’s a good choice.”
She wasn’t particularly fond of the idea of zipping across the lake at warp speed, but she’d been uncovering her braver side since she’d arrived in Evergreen Cove. Brady was part of that discovery.
Even if she hadn’t called her therapist, she could admit she was drawn to Brady’s confidence—something Neil never had. Neil had been manipulative and mean, both signs of a lack of confidence.
On the Jet Ski, she was as shaky as a newly born foal. But when she clutched her thighs tightly around Brady’s, smelled the coconut scent of suntan lotion on his warm skin, well, she was shaky for another reason entirely.
She clamped her inner thighs against his legs, and he made sure she was snug in place by flattening his palm on her leg. When she rested her hands on each side of his waist, he reached back and hugged her arms tightly around his middle instead.
“You gotta hang on, Bean.” He patted her arm when she tightened her grip. The touch was respectful and quick, but tingles spread through her veins like wildfire.
He started the engine and she felt more than heard the rumble of laughter in his chest. Arms around his solid body, she held on as instructed. He gunned the watercraft and took off over the waves.
After several minutes of wind in her hair and laughter when he went faster—the Jet Ski really was fun—he slowed down long enough to let her catch her breath. She swept a few loose strands of hair back into her ponytail as Brady began his tour.
He pointed out huge mansions and other more reasonably sized houses and then puttered past the marina and the beach, where residents of the Cove flocked on hot days like this one. When they passed by a white house with a sprawling deck and in-ground pool, he floated and took a long look at the house. It overlooked the lake and the entire front—or was this side the back?—was a wall of shining glass windows.
“This one’s my favorite,” he told her, longing evident in his voice.
“It’s beautiful. I had no idea there were such opulent houses here. Granted, it’s been a while, but I remember the Cove differently.”
“It’s changed over the last few years. Not a bad thing. There is a lot more tourist money than before. We strive to keep an everyone-knows-everyone feel. People are friendly around here, and since the Cove is home to most of us, we try and get to know everyone.” He reached back and squeezed her leg. “Some more than others.”
“You’ve lived here your whole life?” she asked.
“Pretty much.” Slowly, he began puttering along the water again. “My parents passed away when I was five. I’m from Cincinnati, but grew up in the Cove with my grandparents.”
Wanting to soothe the hurt she heard in his voice, she touched his arm. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks, Bean.” He patted her leg, and she held his hand on her bare skin for a moment, wanting to comfort him further, and not quite ready to end what was happening between them.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“Are you kidding? I’m always hungry.” His smile returned, and her heart throbbed in response. Making him smile made her feel good, and feeling good had been in short supply over the last several years.
“Do you like tacos?” She was taking the innocent lake tour to a next level, which she’d sworn earlier she didn’t want. But hey, a girl could change her mind.
“Everyone likes tacos.”
“Take