Romancing the River (Survive the Romance #8) - Cami Checketts Page 0,5

‘World’s Hottest Man?’ Last time we talked, you said you don’t see social media or any news for that matter.” He was leaning closer again and he had her. He knew he did. “Have you been Googling me in your spare time?”

“No,” she shot back too quickly and too defensively. “Any idiot hears about that kind of garbage.”

He arched an eyebrow as if he knew she was lying and Googling him.

“I saw it in a supermarket checkout line on the tabloids.” She smiled to herself. “It was obviously bogus though. There was an article on recent alien sightings next to it.”

She heard Emerald laugh and remembered they weren’t alone. Sliding away from Axel, she faced the group again. “Please strap your lifejackets and helmets on.” She looked to Emerald. “I’m assuming you have the GoPros.”

“Yes, ma’am, we do.” Emerald produced another bag, smiling. Kinsley wanted to cuss her for not informing her who the cameraman would be, but the woman seemed too … nice to cuss. She must be an angel to put up with Axel cheating on her most days of the week. Kinsley tried to remind herself Axel was a slime-ball cheater, but it didn’t help as much as it should.

She’d been told the approximate weight and height of each person and had brought the appropriate neoprene lifejacket. Looking over at Jake, she realized Axel was taller and leaner. Kane had shed his shirt and strapped a lifejacket on, and Amelia handed off her coverup for Kinsley to put in the waterproof bag, revealing a skimpy bikini. Kinsley gave her thirty minutes sitting on the rubber of the raft before her bare flesh was sticking and rubbing all wrong and she was asking for more clothes.

Axel was right at her elbow, but he wasn’t checking out Amelia’s display of buns. He was solely focused on Kinsley.

“Don’t blame me if this week is a little rougher than the Learjets, limousines, and all-inclusive five-star resorts you’re used to,” she muttered to him.

“Ah, beautiful Kinsley, I’m tougher than that,” Axel teased. “I won’t blame you for anything but making my heart race every time I see you.”

“Don’t try the womanizing lines on me,” Kinsley threatened, though her own heart pounded at the words.

Axel pumped his eyebrows as if she’d asked him to tell her more lines. He stripped off his long-sleeved T-shirt and picked up a life jacket. Kinsley stared open-mouthed. She’d seen his perfect chest online but to see it up close and personal was too much. He was too much. How had she gotten herself into this mess?

He caught her looking and gave her a manly chin nod, not hiding the look of triumph in his eyes. Kinsley narrowed her own eyes to a glare, focusing on his face which was unfortunately as perfect as his body. If he wanted a challenge, she’d give him one. She would not succumb to his charm, kindness, or good looks. That’s all she was to him—a challenge. She couldn’t decide which was worse: only being his friend, or him only wanting to break down her barriers because no woman had ever refused him.

Stay strong, stay strong, she repeated in her head.

Axel zipped up the lifejacket and she thankfully couldn’t see much of his chest, but his arms and shoulders flexed beautifully as he did up the straps. He caught her looking again and grinned as if she’d given him a gift.

Oh, my.

She was in deep, deep trouble.

Chapter Two

Axel listened to Kinsley’s instructions from her captain position at the back of the boat as they pushed off. The men straddled the rounded rubber sides of the raft, one foot trailing in the cold water, one in the boat. Kinsley instructed them to jam the foot inside the boat into the crease between the raft floor and raft side when they pushed off.

Amelia sat up front on a small bench and Kinsley was in back with two paddles steering the raft. She grinned as she explained she could jam both feet in and the only way she was going in was if they flipped. Amelia let out a little gasp at that.

Amelia had a paddle and Kinsley instructed her that it was very important she listen to the commands and switch from side to side to help steer the raft. Amelia pulled a face and didn’t respond. Axel was concerned that the woman might not understand her responsibilities this week. The seven women featured on the reality show so far had been incredible. He