Page 30 of Letting it Ride

“Enjoying the sun?”

I open my eyes to find Harper sitting sideways on the lounge chair to my side.

Addie and I have been sunbathing in silence foralmost thirty minutes. Every few minutes I open my eyes to check on her, but she hasn’t moved other than to adjust herself slightly on the chair. She’s going to end up with a wicked sunburn if she didn’t put sunscreen on.

It occurs to me to say something to her, but I can only imagine how she’d take it. Yeah, I’ll keep my mouth shut. I’m kind of attached to my balls.

I shift to face Harper, brushing a hand through my hair. It’s almost dry after sitting in the sun, the pool water leaving it in a messy, spiky configuration. “Yeah. It’s a beautiful day.”

Her blonde hair swishes in her high ponytail as she tosses her head. She’s in her crew uniform—not the outfit she was wearing this morning, but the white-collared shirt she had on when we boarded the ship. “Just wanted to stop by and say hi again. I should do some actual work around here, but I wanted to see if you were up for a drink tonight, or maybe dinner? I can find you in the dining room or stop by the casino.”

I’m acutely aware that Addie is listening to every word of this conversation. I shift further toward Harper, trying to sort out the best way to address this tactfully and without getting either of them pissed at me.

I give Harper what I hope is a friendly smile. “Sure.I’d love to.” It can’t hurt to get a soda at the bar. Addie can’t get mad at me for that, right?

Harper rises from the chair, tossing that ponytail over her shoulder. “Can’t wait.”

She meanders away, pausing to chat with a few other people on her way out of the pool area.

Addison whips her sunglasses off and sits up as soon as Harper is far enough away that she can’t hear.Oops.I pretend I don’t notice the fire in Addie’s eyes, but it’s hard to miss.

“I’m going for a walk,” Addie announces, sliding those cutoff jean shorts on over the string bikini—don’t focus on her ass, Cam—and slipping her feet into sandals.

“Aren’t you going to wear a shirt?” I ask, trying to keep my voice level.

I’m trying to think of something to say that doesn’t reference her perfect ass, but the second the words leave my mouth, I’m regretting them.

Not that she doesn’t look good. She looks too good.

Long legs extend from the frayed edges of her shorts, which are barely long enough to cover that butt, which has already spent too much time living rent-free in my head today.

And now that I’m thinking about her shirt, I’mfocused on her top. The scrap of fabric she’s claiming as a bikini barely holds her lush tits in, but provides enough support for some truly impressive cleavage. She looks hot.

“No,” she says, her voice curt. She turns on her heel and struts away.

My gaze follows that perfect round ass as it moves from side to side until I catch myself and force myself to look away.

Get it together, Allen.

12

ADDISON

To:[email protected]

From:[email protected]

Subject:SAT math

Miss Anderson,

Rudy says you’ve informed him that math is, indeed, on the SATs. As such, we’d like the tutoring you’re doing for him to cover what’s necessary for him to do well, as we’d like for him to be able to play football at an Ivy League school. Could you start on those lessons this week?

Thanks,

Karen Morgan

I’m fuming as I stomp away.

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