Irresistible, huh? “I thought we could go out on the lake, but if you’re worried about jumping my bones again, we can skip it.”
“I did not—” She caught herself and he chuckled. Because she had just climbed him like a tree. Not that he was complaining. “Do you mean canoe?”
“Yes. If you want the whole ranch experience, canoeing on the lake is part of it.”
“You’re not going to tip it over or push me out, are you?”
“You do know how to swim, right?”
“Yes, I know how to swim.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“No, I won’t tip it or push you out. Now, if you tip it or accidentally fall overboard, then I can’t be held responsible.”
“Maverick!”
He loved riling her up. “Hey, just stating a fact. I’ll do my part, but you’ve got to do yours.”
“Meaning?”
“Follow my directions. Think you can do that?”
“How about this? I drive my own canoe and you drive yours.”
He almost burst out laughing. “You don’t drive a canoe, you paddle it. And if you think you can handle one on your own, that’s fine with me.”
“I absolutely can,” she asserted, her determination so damn attractive, he couldn’t wait to see her in action. Did he think she could manage it on her own? Not necessarily. But only because she was a complete novice. She’d do great for a minute, maybe two, before her arms grew tired. And if he wanted them to paddle out to the sand bar in the middle of the lake, well, that might be pushing it. He’d play it by ear.
The inn rose in front of them like the brightest ornament on a Christmas tree. Voices floated from inside, and he pictured his mom’s homemade desserts spread out in the living room for guests to enjoy before bedtime.
“Thanks for walking me back,” she said, coming to a stop near the foot of the staircase. “And for dinner. I have to admit, the food in Windsong is really good.”
“You’re welcome.” He grinned. “Eleven a.m. tomorrow—meet me at the lake. It’s about a ten-minute walk from here to the small dock where the canoes are.”
“Okay.” She zeroed in on his wet T-shirt before her attention bounced back up to his eyes. The thin cotton remained plastered to his torso. Much like her clothes were. Hands down, she won sexiest look.
Not that he was memorizing every curve and angle of her womanly shape or anything.
“Okay,” he said back to her.
Neither made a motion to move, though, until she shivered. It wasn’t because of him. She was cold, damn it, and he stood there staring at her like a damn teenager.
“Guests don’t know this, but my mom makes a mean spiked hot chocolate. I bet she’d whip one up for you. Let her know I recommended it.”
“Mmm. I will, thanks.”
“’Welcome. See you tomorrow.” He forced himself to walk away.
“Good night,” she called out.
He waved over his shoulder, not daring to turn around and be tempted to join her in a drink. Or another kiss. Because she might be a good swimmer, but he was in danger of drowning.
Chapter Sixteen
Three days until the wedding
“All right. Spill everything right this minute,” Andrew said, barging into the bathroom without knocking. Thankfully, the frosted shower door kept her hidden, not that he’d care to look if it wasn’t. “Rumor has it Maverick Owens was seen kissing the bejesus out of a blonde wearing cowboy boots with her legs wrapped around his waist like a python. And yes, that’s a direct quote.”
Kennedy spit out the shampoo bubbles that had slid into her open mouth. How in the world had news of her kissing Maverick traveled so quickly? And who had witnessed it? She hadn’t noticed anyone around them.
That’s because all you could see was him.
Kissing obliviousness, the state of being so engrossed in a kiss with another person that everything else disappeared, was obviously a real thing. She’d find it in a medical journal somewhere, right?
Okay, not really, but she’d never experienced a kiss like the one she’d shared with Maverick. It wiped away every other kiss she’d ever had. Whoever she kissed next would have a hard time making her feel the same electrifying way Maverick had. As if all her nerve endings were sparkling like flawless diamonds.
She had flaws…but with him they…
“Well?” Andrew prodded.
“We kissed in the rain,” she said dreamily.
“And…”
“It was incredible. The best kiss I’ve ever had.”
Andrew whistled. “I knew if you guys ever gave in, it would be hot.”
Ever? What did he mean by that? She ran her hands over her head to rinse off the rest of the shampoo. “It was.”
“What happened after?”
“He invited me to go canoeing with him tomorrow.” To say she was excited about that would be an understatement.
“Wow, Ned. What does this all mean?”
“I have no idea, so I’m taking your advice and living day by day. Having some fun. How was the rest of your night?”
“Good, but let’s get back to you. I need more details.”
She chuckled, turned off the water, and pulled down the towel resting over the top of the shower. She ran the soft cotton over her body, then tied it around herself. Steam filled the bathroom when she stepped out of the enclosure.
Andrew sat on the closed toilet lid, a look of contemplation on his face. “I think this means you’ve answered the question, ‘can enemies become lovers?’”
“We’re not lovers.”
“Yet.”
She wiped her palm in a circular motion on the fogged mirror, butterflies filling her stomach at the thought.
“I don’t know,” she said calmly. “We’re definitely enjoying each other, but I’m hopefully moving to Boston, and he’s actually leaving soon to travel for a few months.” She brushed her hair. “And even if that wasn’t the case, it’s Maverick.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning whatever this is, I can’t trust it. He’s just lonely, and I guess I am, too, and we’re familiar with each other, so we gave in to the spark between us.”