Page 31 of Summer Love

I smiled over at her, not quite believing that I'd let her talk me into this. So much for being professional. Elena brought out another side of me, the one that bucked the rules.

When we reached the water, we jumped over the smaller waves, and then I let go of her hand, diving into a bigger swell. When I emerged, I wiped the water from my eyes and found Elena bobbing in the water a few feet away.

I swam over to her with long, sure strokes. "How does it feel?"

She dipped her head back, getting it wet. "Amazing."

"There's nothing better than a swim after demolishing a porch," I said with a smile.

"Best idea ever," Elena said softly.

I reached out to grab her wrist, pulling her to me. I shouldn't be thinking about what she'd feel like pressed against me. But there was only a thin layer of material separating me from finding out.

"You think anyone noticed I'm only wearing briefs?" I asked her.

"Not with the speed you were running. You were a flash of black."

I dunked under the surface, needing to cool off. The water was doing little to dissipate the heat in my body.

When I emerged, her hands closed over my rib cage. "I can't touch here."

I looked to the shore; we'd drifted farther away.

I pulled her close to me. "I've got you. You want to go closer?" I inclined my head toward the shore.

"In a minute. It's kind of nice to float. To be free with no worries or responsibilities."

"Mmm. It is nice." I was always worried about the business, my brothers, my parents. I didn't have time to focus on myself, and letting go was even more attractive.

I thought about her legs wrapping around my waist, but I didn't need her to feel my hard dick. It was definitely on board with touching her. I had to behave. We were barely friends.

I had no business thinking about what she'd feel like under that suit. Or whether she was aching with desire like I was.

I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her slightly closer to shore. When it was shallower, I said, "Try touching now."

I needed to create space between us, or I'd never be able to walk out of the water without everyone knowing how I felt about her.

She let go of me and dipped down, her head going under before I hauled her up. "Not quite there yet."

I pulled her farther in, riding the swells of the waves. I felt buoyant, like I could let go of everything for once. This job for her and Grams was more than work to me. It was doing something for someone who would really appreciate it. I was helping them, and it felt good.

When she could touch the sandy bottom, she pulled away from me, floating on her back. Her eyes fell closed, and I was able to admire her without censure. Her breasts were full, barely contained by the triangles of material, the yellow highlighting her tan skin.

She raised one eyelid. "Are you checking me out?"

My gaze snatched away from her breasts to her curious face. "I was keeping an eye on you so you don't drown."

She flipped onto her stomach. "I grew up in the water. I'm a good swimmer."

"Good to know."

She flipped again so that she was floating. "You're in shape. I'm assuming you don't get those muscles from working construction all day."

"I hit the gym a few times a week."

"So you take care of your body, you work hard, and you're a sucker for grannies. Anything else I should know about you?" Her expression was light and teasing.

"Not all grannies. I'm only a sucker for yours."

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