Page 87 of SEAL Summer Escape

“Oh my God!”Taylor suddenly shrieked.

Noah swung his head toward the stern to see Mason’s fishing line jumping.

“We caught something!We caught something!”Taylor shouted, jumping up and down.

“Really?Wow!”Bailey said, rising up from the chaise.She crossed the deck barefoot, brushing past Noah.He followed behind her, and they watched as Mason grinned, reeling it in.

“Whoo-hoo!”he whooped, holding up his large catch.

Bailey shrieked and jumped back as the fish bounced on the end of the hook, colliding against Noah’s chest.

He chuckled, snaring her around the waist, and pulling her against him.“Don’t worry, sunshine.I’ll keep you safe from fish and sharks.”

“Do you think there are sharks right here?”

“It’s the Atlantic Ocean.Of course there are sharks.I haven’t seen any swimming by our boat, but that is a danger when fishing.The fish are attracted to the bait—”

“And the sharks to the fish.Lovely.”

“Where have you gone fishing before?”he asked, releasing her from his grip.

“Mostly the rivers around Virginia Beach.And if we fished in the ocean, it was from the beach or out on the dock.We didn’t take a boat into the ocean like this.”

“Gotcha,” he said.

“This looks awesome,” Mason said, taking the hook out of the fish’s mouth.He opened a large cooler to put the fish inside.

Noah glanced down at his watch.“Eleven a.m.I think this calls for a beer.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Mason said with a chuckle.

Bailey crossed over to the other cooler where they’d stashed their food and drinks for the day.She pulled out two beers, handing them to him, then grabbed two cans of sparkling wine for herself and Taylor.

She grabbed the bottle opener and tossed it toward Noah, and he grabbed it out of the air.He popped the cap and took a long pull.“Fantastic.”

“I guess I should try my luck now,” Bailey said, taking a sip from her can and setting it down.His gaze was drawn to her pink lips—even out here on the boat, she had on that same glossy lipstick.Lip gloss.Whatever the hell it was women wore.

“Absolutely,” Mason said.“I rented enough equipment for all of us to fish.No sense in Noah and I having all the fun.”

“How’d you get this boat for the weekend anyway?”Bailey asked.“It’s pretty sweet.I thought you were just getting something small.”

“I know the guy who owns the boat rental place—an old buddy of mine.He hooked me up for a sweet deal.”

“It’s all in who you know,” Taylor commented.“Maybe I should make a friend who lives in Hawaii or something.”

“Any type of exotic locale will work for me,” Bailey said.

Mason handed Bailey a fishing rod, glancing over at Taylor.“Let’s check yours, sweetheart.We might have to put on more bait.”

“So I just...stick a worm on here?”Bailey asked, scrunching her nose.

Noah watched her in amusement, his lips quirking.She looked cuter than hell standing there, holding that fishing rod and wearing nothing but her yellow string bikini.Her long ponytail trailed down her back.He had the urge to go over and grab her, jumping into the ocean together.

He wasn’t sure if she’d appreciate that though.Besides, they were supposed to be out here fishing.

“I thought you said you’ve been fishing before,” he said with a grin.“Now that we’re out on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic, you don’t know what to do?”

“I have been fishing before, but I made my brothers help me.And it’s been years since I’ve done it.”