Page 21 of The Book Club Boyfriend
Rip barks excitedly, as if this is the best game ever, his tail wagging as he paddles past me.
Then—Scarlett reemerges, sputtering, hair plastered to her face, arms flailing.
I lose it.
I actually have to bend at the waist, hands on my knees, because I’m laughing so hard.
Scarlett, however, doesnotfind it funny.
She gasps, shoving her wet hair out of her face, struggling against the pull of the water as she tries to regain her footing.“What the hell wasthat?!”
“Uh, a wave?” I manage between laughs.
“A roguetsunami,” she mutters, finally righting herself—only to immediatelyscreechand start flailing again.
My laughter doubles. “Now what?”
“Something touched me!”
Oh, this just keeps getting better.
I wade over, thoroughly entertained. “You okay?”
Sheglaresat me. “I swear to you, something grabbed my leg.”
Then shescreamsagain, lunging forward and latching onto my shoulders like I’m some kind of human flotation device.
I barely have time to react before she’sclimbing me like atree, her legs wrapping around my waist, her hands clutching my shoulders in a death grip. Her skin is slick with lake water, sliding against mine as she tries to get higher, away from whatever she thinks is after her. Every shift presses her closer, her thighs gripping my hips, her chest flush against mine.
I blink down at her, her face pressed against my neck.
Well.
This took anunexpectedturn.
“Uh…” I clear my throat. “Not that I’m complaining, but usually when a woman throws herself at me, it’s under much different circumstances.”
She smacks my shoulder.“This is notfunny!”
“It’s alittlefunny.”
She pulls back just enough to glare at me, her dark eyes furious and—damn it—annoyingly gorgeous up close. Water droplets cling to her lashes, and I can feel her breath against my mouth, warm compared to the cool lake air. Her fingers dig into my shoulders, nails leaving little crescents I’ll probably feel tomorrow.
“I willendyou, Remington.”
I smirk. “Bold words for someone literally clinging to me for dear life.”
She shudders, tightening her hold. “Ifeltsomething. I swear, if it was a jellyfish—”
I shift my grip on her, steadying her in my arms because, honestly? She’s notthatheavy, and I’m kind of enjoying this. My hands find purchase on the backs of her thighs, her skin cool and smooth beneath my palms. Every time she shudders, I feel it everywhere—the tremor running through her body into mine.
“More likely seaweed.”
She gasps, shoving at my chest.“Get it offme!”
I hold back another laugh. “I can’t see it if you don’t let me put you down.”
“Nope. Not happening.”
