Jaeger gets us back to shore in a tenth of the time it took us to get out.He hops from the boat onto the sand and pulls me and the boat up the beach until only half the vessel lies in the water.
He hands me his keys and reaches for me.“Hurry.You girls wait in my truck.”
I pocket the keys and grab hold of his fingers, eyeing the ground to determine the best way to jump to shore without dunking or injuring myself.Jaeger made it look easy, but he’s twice my size.
I brace my foot on the tip of the bow, but my sandal slips on the metal surface.I overcorrect and fall backward.
Jaeger whisks his arm around my back and lifts me from the boat, my chest pressed to him.For a second, my feet are suspended, my face level with his.He’s holding me up with one arm like an embrace, palm flat beneath the side of my breast.His chest is solid and warm against mine, but it’s his mouth inches away that has my complete attention.
My breaths come in short gasps.Everything else escapes my attention.It’s just him and me—the last two people on Earth.
Jaeger loosens his grip and I slide to the ground, my legs wobbling as they hit the sand.The world rushes back, and I look around.I catch sight of Gen and stumble over, but I glance back, wondering if that moment where time suspended itself was a dream.Jaeger is pushing the boat toward the dock, and I still can’t decide if I imagined it.
I link arms with her.“What’s going on?”My voice sounds breathless.
“Mason says the boat on its way over is the ranger checking for licenses.Nothing serious if we get caught, but the fines are steep.”
We climb inside Jaeger’s truck and I maneuver into the back seat of the cab.It’s light out and I can see his vehicle more clearly.Silver exterior and clean.The truck is brand new.Not bad for a bear-carving salesman.
“You catch anything?”Gen asks, her eyes glowing from our adventure.
“Yeah, but we threw it back.Catch and release.”I don’t mention the size of my fish.“How about you?”
“Nothing.Mason says he’ll get me a license and we can go another time.”
An hour ago, I would have considered that the worst form of torture, but now the idea has merit.There’s something to be said for sitting on a calm lake drinking beer as the sun rises.Or maybe it’s the company that makes the difference.
Even after he mentioned his wood-carving career, I’m drawn to Jaeger.He created a new life for himself after he was forced to give up his dream.I can’t help but respect him for it.
My attempt to get to know him and be able take him down a few notches in my esteem totally backfired.
“What about you?Did you have fun with Mason?”I quirk my brows.
Gen nods with a bemused smile and looks out the window.“He’s a good buddy.”
A goodbuddy?Jaeger’s seducing my panties off with his dirty fishing talk, and Gen and Mason are forming a friendship?
No, no, no.Either Mason steps up his game, or Gen and Jaeger are getting paired next time.Let her panties drop for the guy.I have a boyfriend.
“What about you?How was Jaeger?”
“He’s a good guy, Gen.You should consider him if things don’t work out with Mason.”
Gen tilts her head and eyes me.Her lips part, like she’s about to say something, but the passenger door opens.
“All good!”Mason announces.
Jaeger slides into the driver’s seat and our gazes collide in the rearview mirror.I look away.
“Ranger checked our licenses and let us go,” Mason continues.“We’ll plan ahead next time and get you one-day passes.”
I don’t say anything, because I like the idea of doing this again.
Only next time, Gen goes with Jaeger.
ChapterFive
Iamble into the kitchen at close to two in the afternoon later the same day.We don’t usually arrive home from work at six thirty a.m., but the fishing expedition made our wake-up especially late.
