into her face, and she dove away. He went after her. They made their way out of the cave laughing and splashing, and swam into deeper water.
When they finally settled down, treading water in the warm sun, Carly thanked him for slowing them down. “My brain was fuzzy. You always know the right thing to say. Then again, your mouth has always made me happy.”
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.
She couldn’t resist adding, “And your tongue. I really like your tongue.”
He lunged, catching her around the waist. She shrieked as he hauled her against him with a fierce and sinful look in his eyes and said, “You keep talking like that and you’ll make a liar out of me.”
“We wouldn’t want that, now, would we?” she said flirtatiously. She knew she shouldn’t push it, especially after he was strong enough to slow them down and do right by her. But she’d missed this playful banter so much, she couldn’t get enough of it, and she might only have a few days to get her fill.
“Carly,” he warned. “I’m really trying to do the right thing here.”
“Okay. You’re right. I’m sorry.” She pushed out of his arms and said, “So where is this place you want to take me?”
“Hey, didn’t I just say—”
Laughter bubbled out before she could stop it.
“That’s it!” He grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder. “You’re nothing but trouble.”
“I’m sorry!” she said, laughing hysterically as he carried her out of the water. “I couldn’t help it!”
He set her down on her feet and tossed her a towel. “Wrap yourself up in that before I lose my mind.”
This was too much fun! She turned around and bent at the waist to dry her legs, giving him a great view of her ass.
“Carly,” he growled.
She turned wide, innocent eyes on him. “What? I’m just drying off. You don’t want me to be wet all day, do you?”
He chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for his towel. “I can see this is going to be a long, hard day.”
“Only if I’m lucky,” she teased.
He hauled her into his arms again and said, “I’m done being good.”
“Gee, I hope not. I’m sort of counting on all your goodness lasting for, oh, say…six days.”
“Damn, I’ve missed us,” he said heatedly. As he lowered his lips to hers, she hoped it was a very long day, because she never wanted it to end.
They dressed and hiked back down to the parking lot. As she opened the door to her truck, he said, “I like your wheels.”
“It was my aunt’s. Where are we going, anyway?”
“It’s a surprise. Follow me to the inn. We can leave your truck there and take mine.”
She glanced at Beau’s truck and said, “Don’t you mean your brother’s truck?”
“Yes. My van is on Silver Island.”
“Your van?” Of course you have a van. Teenage memories pummeled her. One day it’ll be just you and me, Carls. We’ll park our van at the beach and watch the sunset, or at the top of a mountain and rock each other’s worlds beneath the stars.
“It’s nothing fancy, but when I’m not sleeping on my boat, I live in my van. This winter I’ll store the boat on the island and travel in the van.” He slipped a hand to the nape of her neck, drawing her into another enticing kiss, and said, “Follow me, beautiful.”
As she watched him walk away, she realized her virtual safety harness had been about as useless as her and Birdie’s plan for the wedding.
Maybe she needed that chastity belt after all.
Chapter Nine
“WOULD YOU MIND if I change out of my bathing suit before we go wherever you’re taking me?” Carly asked as she grabbed her backpack and hopped out of her truck.
She looked like an angel with her hair half-dry, golden tendrils framing her face, her sun-kissed cheeks a little pink. He could look at her all day and never get his fill. He was dying to tell her about the concretions, but he held back, wanting to see the spark of excitement in her eyes when he surprised her with them.
He took her backpack, carrying it along with his own, and reached for her hand as they walked up to the entrance of the inn. He kissed her hand, and she glanced at him a little bashfully. He loved that she was still as sweet as she was sultry and that their breakup hadn’t hardened her.