Page 45 of Long Shot

“You made it, though.”

“I did. I worked my ass off preparing and also I was determined I was going to do it. My home life was another form of torturous hell.”

“Oh.” I touch my throat, remembering what he’d said about his family. His story had really affected me. Like, I’d wanted to hug him. So inappropriate. “Right. I’m sorry.”

“It’s in the past. Okay? Come here, Jack! Good boy. You wanna swim? I think you do.”

“I’m not so sure.” Why am I so worried about Jack? He’s a dog. He’s not evenmydog.

“Come on, boy!” Cade kicks off his sandals and trudges to the water. “Come on!” He holds up the chicken then tosses it down the beach, not into the water. Jack bolts for it on his stubby legs, seizes it in his mouth, shakes it violently, then trots back to us. “Good boy.”

Cade takes the chicken again and this time he throws it into the water. Jack dashes after it, not even hesitating. It’s close enough that he doesn’t have to swim, so he again retrieves the toy and runs back to Cade.

“See, he doesn’t mind the water.” Cade pauses to pull his shirt over his head before bending to take the toy from Jack.

Ugh. I stare in fascination at Cade’s amazing torso. For a blond man, his skin is tanned a deep gold. His board shorts ride low on lean hips, and my gaze lingers on the two grooves of his lower back, then climbs the strong channel of his spine and roams over all the muscles of his upper back rippling beneath sleek skin as he walks into the water and throws the toy out farther.

I feel like I’m watching a slow motion movie, nothing but Cade and his muscles and the sparkling ocean. Quivery sensation ripples through my belly.

Jack runs after it again but when the water gets deep he stops.

Distracted from Cade’s hot body, I twist my fingers together, watching the indecision on Jack’s face. He doesn’t know how to get his beloved toy.

“You can do it, buddy.” Cade wades out, lifts Jack under his belly and carries him deeper, where his feet can’t touch. I press a hand to my chest, my heart swelling as I watch the care Cade takes with Jack.

Instinctively, Jack’s paws begin to paddle and when Cade releases him, he keeps going, swimming to the chicken. His strokes are a bit wild but he closes his mouth around his toy, manages to turn and frantically paddle his way back.

I hold my breath, but Cade stands near him ready in case the little guy goes under. When Jack’s feet touch ground he runs out, drops the toy at my feet and then shakes himself. Water sprays all over me, and I lift my arms to shield myself, shrieking.

Cade’s laugh is joyous and booming.

Warmth spreads through me. I meet Cade’s dancing eyes and I have to smile. “He did it.”

“He did. And he’ll get better. Come on, Jack!” Cade grabs the chicken and runs to the water.

Jack bounds after him, splashing into the waves and once more he fetches the toy from the ocean, happily paddling.

My heart squeezes as Jack emerges onto the sand and drops the toy again, his mouth stretched into a wide, panting smile.

Okay, I know dogs don’t really smile, but clearly he’s happy, his tail wagging so hard his butt shakes.

After a few more swims, Jack wades out and stands next to me. “Next time we can try him surfing.”

I close my eyes and tip my head back, sweet joy expanding inside me. “Okay. He does seem to like it.”

“He has some retriever in him,” Cade says. “So it makes sense.”

I open my eyes and give him a look. “You know dog breeds.”

“Well. Some.” He shrugs.

Damn. He annoys me and frustrates me, but shit, he’s making me like him.

I can’t like him. Not like that. I can like him, as a boss. Respect him. But like him, like him? No. I’m in no place to have feelings for someone. I’m fucked up, and I’m only here for a while. And if he knew the truth about me, he’d hate me. So yeah . . . I can’t like him.

“Aren’t you proud of the little dude?” He cocks his head toward Jack.

“Yes.” My smile broadens. “Yes, I am.”

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