Page 66 of Married to Murder
Smiling, I said softly, “It is for me.”
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m on a surfboard. This is no place to get a hard-on.” He bit his lip and adjusted himself.
“Maybe you could use it as a tiller, you know, like on a sailboat, and steer your way into shore.”
He grinned. “I plan on riding a wave into shore.” He glanced over his shoulder. “If a wave worth riding ever comes.”
Scanning the ocean, I sighed. “It’s pretty flat today.”
“Maybe we should go back to the beach house, and you can help me with my… tiller.” His eyes had a lusty gleam.
“I need to go back to the shop.”
“When are you going to hire someone to help out?” He scowled.
“I like working alone.”
He sighed. “I know. But it would be nice if you had more flexibility in your schedule.”
“I’m as flexible as a bendy straw.”
“Now you’re turning me on again.”
I laughed. “Okay, fine. I’ll take the rest of the afternoon off.”
He widened his eyes. “Really?”
“Sure. Why not?” I ran my gaze over his tanned body. “I’d rather spend the afternoon with you anyway.” I glanced past him. “Hey, here comes a wave.”
He followed my gaze. “Oh, that’s a pretty big one.”
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” I could sense his nervousness. He was a much better surfer than when we’d first met, but he was still nervous of larger waves. “Just start paddling when I tell you to. Okay?”
“Okay.” He sounded breathless.
The wave swelled behind us and sucked us back toward it a bit. “Okay, paddle. Now, Tanner.”
He obeyed and his board moved forward, even with mine. I glanced over at him, proud of him for doing something I knew intimidated him. He looked over and caught me watching him. He smiled and my gut fluttered.
“Arch your back,” I called out.
“Oh, you’ll be arching your back in a minute, baby.” He chuckled, pushing up on his palms.
“Now you’re getting me turned on.” I dug my arms into the water, paddling and keeping ahead of the wave. I pushed up on my palms, dragging my left leg forward, prepared to stand up on my right leg. When I glanced back over my shoulder, I could see Tanner’s balance wasn’t great. I slowed down because I knew he was about to eat it big-time, and I wanted to be there.
The wave closed in on us, but I kept my eyes on Tanner, who was teetering unsteadily.
“Shit,” he yelped, tipping to the left as his feet lost their grip. He waved his arms, but he was too off balance and he fell into the water.
I dove under the wave and swam toward Tanner. I couldn’t see him in the murky water, but I knew where he had last been, and experience told me where he’d end up. I cut through the water until I felt his body. I grabbed hold of him, and my lungs burned as I kicked my legs and pulled us both to the surface.
As we burst out of the water, he gasped for air, coughing and choking. I sucked in air, double-checking over my shoulder there was no other wave coming. My board tugged at my leg as the surf batted it around, but I just held on to Tanner.
“You’re good. You’re fine.” I smiled at him.
He looked nervous at first, but then he seemed calmer as he realized I had hold of him. “Shit.” He coughed some more, spitting out seawater.
“I’ve got you.” I swam toward shore and pulled him with me. When we were where our feet could touch, I let go of him.
