She was fighting her own battle for balance, in more ways than one. If he grabbed her, he could easily send her over. Instead he pushed her backwardand tumbled right over the side of the boat. He landed in the water with a splash not very unlike the pelican shed observed earlier.
Oops, she said when he came to the surface, water streaming over his hair and face.
Oops? Is that all you can say? Oops?
While youre in there, can you grab my magazine?
Laughter from a nearby boat brought their attention to a young man holding his stomach. Whatcha doing, Dan, trying to teach your sweetie how to fish by pretending to be one?
Hah, hah, hah, Dan muttered, turning to face her. Okay, sweetie, I saved your magazine. He held up the sopping thing. I hope my humiliation was worth it.
Laughter began creeping into her voice. My hero. The more she fought the laughter, the harder it pressed against her sensibility until she was in a full-out gale. Oh, my, it felt good to laugh, so good, she wondered how long it had been since she had laughed like this. Even Sammy started yipping, running over to where she leaned against the side of the boat. She opened her notepad and added, Laughing at least once a day to her life goals list.
Dan swam toward the back of the boat and climbed up the ladder. I thought you said you wouldnt be distracting.
She raised her eyebrows as he landed on the deck with a thud. Im not the one who fell in! Ive behaved perfectlyyoure the klutz. She tried hard to hold back any more laughter, turning and picking up the fishing pole hed readied. So, you going to let me cast this thing, or what?
Iyouargh! He held out the magazine as though he were going to swat her with it, but tossed it to the bench instead.
Youre so cute when youre angry, she said, remembering Pams earlier words.
He stalked up to her and pressed his wet, cool body against hers. If it was so cool, why was heat creeping through the layers of skin and muscle and zinging right into her bloodstream?
I ought to throw you over my shoulder, take you down to the cabin and show you how cute I am, he said in a low, husky voice that raised her temperature even more.
She looked up at him, all blustery with water dripping from his mouth. One drop landed on her own mouth, and she licked it off. Salty.
He lowered his head, and another drop landed on her lips. I ought to kiss that look right off your face.
The thought of that knocked her off-balance. Instead of the sober look shed intended, a giggle erupted.
Think this is funny, do you?
She took a deep breath. I cant remember when Ive had so much fun. Well, she could, but she wouldnt, no way, uh-uh. So, you going to show me how to fish or what, mister fishing god captain manly man? She tried to pull the fishing rod between them, before she did something impulsive, but it snagged on something.
Im trying to decide whether to throw you overboard for shark bait or
Er, Dan?
Dont interrupt me. Im trying to think up a juicier alternative.
But, Dan
I know, Ill tie you up with dental floss
She tugged again. As much as that thought titillates me, theres something you should know.
And then tickle you with seagull feathers
Oh, Dan, she said in a singsong voice.
He hovered above her, too close for her own comfort. She ripped her gaze from that mouth that had once kissed every inch of her body, that without words told her he wanted to do it all over again. She blinked, then backed away a few inches, breaking eye contact altogether.
Give me the pole, he muttered, yanking it from her grasp. The sound of fabric ripping stopped abruptly as his face contorted in pain. Ouch!
Thats what I was trying to tell you, but do you listen to me, no, you just stand there dripping on me and threatening me with becoming shark food or fulfilling some kinky dental-floss-slash-feather fantasy. I wonder what your dentist would think of that? What I was trying to tell you was the lure was stuck on something, and obviously that something is you, so let me remove it before you spear yourself.
Too late. I think you were put on this earth to drive me crazy, you know that?
Be quiet so I can operate. When she traced the fishing line, she found herself giggling again.
I suppose you find humor in hooking my butt.
And ripping a three-inch tear in your shorts. Another giggle, this one high-pitched. She tried really, really hard to look sober this time. I cant help it if I hookedthe wrong fish.
He slapped his hand over his face. You really know how to make a guy feel like a he narrowed his eyes fishing god captain manly man.
Another giggle erupted. Oh, this was bad, really bad. If she couldnt control her laughter, how was she going to control the hot, heavy feeling swirling inside her? Its a gift, what can I say?
Are you going to unhook me, or what?
Betcha I win with the biggest catch. Uh-oh, youre bleeding. A tiny spot of blood marred his shorts. She started the delicate process of extracting the hook from the fabric. Id have thought your underwear would have given you an extra layer of protection.
He shot her a backward look that reeked of sheepishness.
Youre not wearing underwear?
Im behind in laundry. He shrugged like a little boy caught with his finger in the cake icing. At five in the morning, underwears not a big concern.
Oh, gawd.
And you get to patch me up. Good thing you brought those bandages. He nodded with boyish satisfaction.
Oh, no, Im not putting a bandage there!
That duty always falls to the fishing goddess, and thats you. Besides, I wont be able to see what Im doing. He turned to face her, taking the lure from her hand and hooking it to the fishing pole eye. Want me to throw you over my shoulder and take you down to the cabin?
Uhno! Okay, okay, Im going already. She grabbed up those treacherous bandages and followed him into the cabin. Dan! What are you doing?
He was standing there with his shorts dropped to his ankles, glistening back and pale, bare butt facing her. He started to turn around to answer, but she quickly reached out and placed her hands on his wet back.
Dontturn around.
At a yipping sound, she turned to find both Thornton and Sammy standing in the entranceway watching them with great interest, their tails wagging. Oh, go away!
He started to turn around again. Whatd I do?
Not you! She kept him firmly in place. Wheres your disinfectant?
Its in that little cabinet over the sink.
After getting the bottle, she took a deep breath and lowered herself to the height of his derriere, cloth in one hand, bandage in the other. The skin was smooth and the white buns perfectly formed. She swallowed a sigh and applied peroxide and then the antibiotic.
Ouch!
There, she said, slapping on the bandage. Now put your shorts on.
He started to turn around again, but she stopped him just in time. Before you turn around!
He yanked up his shorts and turned. Whats the matter? As I recall, my manhood was being called into question earlier. Dont you want to see evidence to the contrary?
He yanked up his shorts and turned. Whats the matter? As I recall, my manhood was being called into question earlier. Dont you want to see evidence to the contrary?
She wrinkled her nose. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Im going up and hook myself a real fish. With a lift of her eyebrow, she launched herself back to the safety of the open deck.
Dan was tucking in his shirt when he emerged, wearing a different pair of shorts. To her ultimate mortification, she heard cheers and applause. She scanned the boats in the area and saw men raising their arms in victory.
Way to go, McDermott!
The fishing god knows how to catch em!
Dan puffed up his chest, an enormously cocky grin on his face. Well, what can I say? She couldnt wait to get her hands on me.
She made a sound of frustration, grabbed the pole and flung it forward. The lure whipped past Dans face and dangled mockingly at the end.
Whoa, babe, let me show you how its done. No need to hurt anyone. Again.
The world babe echoed nicely in her mind. I suppose you think that was my fault, too.
No comment. He came up behind her and put his fingers over hers. Pull this down; that releases the line. You need to hold it with your finger here, nice and tight, so when you rear back, it wont go flying. We call that premature ejacuh, never mind. When you cast, release it at the farthest point of thrust.
Like she could think with his damp, hard body pressed up behind hers. All right, Ive got it. She shook him away. All this talk about showing her how its done, premature ejacshe laughed, shaking her head. Not to mention thrusting! It had definitely been too long, and now was no time to realize it.
She tried to remember everything hed just said, but the lure went straight down into the water with a loud plop! instead of arcing gracefully through the air.
Try it again. You let go too early.
Premature ejaculation? she asked, getting a grin out of him. Now I know how you guys feel.
Oh, no, you dont.
Hey, Danny boy! a familiar voice called from a short distance. Youre thinking with the wrong rod, bringing a woman out here during a tournament.
She cringed before even looking up to see Hals grinning face as his boat drifted close. He was an older version of Dan, thirty pounds heavier, with a perpetual drunk look about him. To substantiate that impression, the hand he gestured to Cassie with held a can of beer.
Keep your business out of my rods, Dan told him.
Her mouth dropped open. You told your dad to mind his own business? Even Hal looked surprised.
Sure, havent I always?
Hal leaned forward and squinted his eyes at her. Hey, isnt that whats-her-face?
Nice to see you again, too, Fred, she shot back.
Ooh, shes still feisty! Danny, you gonna let her talk to me like that?
Knock it off, Hal.
Knock what off? Here, have a beer. He tossed a can to Dan. You want one, Wanda?
Ill pass, Fred. I dont usually imbibe until, oh, at least nine in the morning.
Suit yourself, Hal said with a shrug, taking a big swig and burping.
Dan discreetly set his can on the bench. Then she heard it: squeak, squeak, squeak. When Roger stepped up from the cabin on Hals boat, Cassie made a decidedly unfeminine sound. He wore a dress shirt with the Looney Tunes bow tie, and his nose was covered in white zinc, as were his lips.
Boy, they just dont have any standards when it comes to who theyll let join this tournament, she said, crossing her arms over her chest. Or are you the booby prize?
Roger blinked. Cassie? What are you doing here? You dont fish. And what do you mean, booby prize? Oh, youre kidding. Ha, ha.
I most certainly do fish. Why, I just caught a big fish a few minutes ago. She turned to Dan. Thats the weenie I was telling you about.
Youre the guy who has to go around stealing other peoples accounts, eh? Dan asked.
I didnt steal her account, Roger said with a sniff. It was a good business decision backed by our boss. He rubbed his nose and left a big smear across his cheek. Who are you?
Dan slung his arm around her shoulders. Im the guy whos going to teach her everything there is to know about fishing so she can steal the account right back.
Im the only one whos going to present the campaign to the client. His grin looked funny with the white lips. Unless you want to work with me.
Im pitching the account on my own.
You cant do that, he whined.
Well see about that, Dan said, shocking her with his uptake of her defense, though she was slightly distracted by the hand that hovered just in front of her right breast.
Says who? Roger said.
You dont know Cassie very well, do you? Dan said with a laugh.
Ive been trying to. Roger did that sniffing thing again, making her wonder if it was a territorial ritual like the dogs did.
Dan chuckled. Well, I was married to her, and you know what? I dont envy you, not at all. But youll learn soon enough.
She warmed at those words, but she put them aside for now. I had no idea Hal and Roger were friends.
Ive never seen him with Roger before. My guess is that your weenie doesnt know the least thing about fishing, and hes here doing the same thing you are.
A grin spread across her face. Ill bet youre right. She called to Roger. Since when do you fish, anyway?
Ive been out on boats fishing nearly my whole life. Im almost a pro. I could go on, but Id just embarrass myself. Rogers knuckles were white where they gripped the railing on the boat. Wait a minute. She recognized that particular shade of green coloring his face. He was seasick! And hed left his pills at the office.
Well then the greasy hamburgers theyre going to serve at lunch, along with those oil-drenched fries should be no problem for a sea man like yourself. His mouth tightened. And for dessert, escargots. You know, those snails people dip in garlic butter and eat whole. Ill bet theyre chewy, like conch. Roger covered his mouth. And oysters! Gotta have raw oysters, those wonderfully slimy things that slide right down your throat
Roger hunched forward, then raced down into the cabin. Squeak, squeak, squeak!
Hal watched him go, then raised his hands. Oh, great. Hes already tossed his cookies twice. He narrowed his eyes at her. You are a menace.
She blew him a kiss. Only to a sweet guy like yourself. She turned to find Dan looking at her. I suppose you agree with him.
He grinned. Well, you might have a lot of different effects on me, but you definitely dont make me sick.
Just what a girl wants to hear. What kind of effects? No, she didnt want to know. But of course Dan hadnt taken anyones side. She tilted her head and lowered her voice. Thanks for your vote of confidence. About the fishing and all.
He tweaked her nose. I always knew you could do anything you set your mind to.
Even when I was flaky?
Even then.
The contact, combined with those words, sent little shock waves through her. She couldnt take her gaze from his, focusing on the way the early morning sun highlighted the flecks of gold in his eyes, the way the droplets of water glistened in his hair. She tilted her head slightly, out of some long-ago instinct that invited him to kiss her.