Page 75 of The Bridges I've Burned

I found “my wife” not too far off. Elena must have just waded into the water. Her hair was still partially dry from the sun, and she was scooping handfuls of water onto her arms and shoulders like her skin was on fire.

Elena wasn’t a big fan of the heat.

She must have heard the water slosh as I swam over because just as she looked up, I wrapped my arms around her. I didn’t give her even a second to react.

“I’ll buy groceries for the rest of the week if you pretend to be obsessed with me for the next five minutes,” I whispered in her ear.

“And why would I do that?” she asked, but didn’t attempt to pull back.

“Because I just encountered the deadliest creature in the water, Elena, and I need protection.”

She didn’t turn her head, but she must have seen them. That or she’d noticed me with them before. “You’re running away from college girls?”

“Hell yeah, I am,” I answered. “There are so many of them.”

Her head tilted slightly. “Seems to me like there are only three.” She grinned. “Cute, too.”

“Just shut up and hold me. Can’t you see I’m distraught?”

She rolled her eyes, but didn’t let go. I moved my hands down to her waist, so she could wrap her arms around my neck. The position was a bit more comfortable since my large arms weighed her down, but it also forced us closer together.

So much closer.

When I felt her nipples brush against my chest, I started to realize what a horrible idea this was.

My cock, however, was as happy as a motherfucker and ready to say hi.

“It was nice of Hendrix to fly out here and bring your things,” she said.

My grip on her waist tightened at the sound of my best friend’s name on her lips.

“He’s a nice guy,” I answered. “Plus, he’s been dying to visit this place ever since he found out I grew up on an island. He thought that was the coolest fucking thing.” Spoiler alert: it was not.

“Has it lived up to his expectations?” A wry smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

And now, I’m staring at her mouth.

“The ferry blew his mind.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” She laughed as I started to draw slow circles on her stomach with my thumb. I couldn’t help it. She was too fucking soft. “How did you two meet?”

“You seem to be very interested in my best friend.” I lifted a brow.

“No, I’m just curious—” Amusement swiftly spread across her face. “You’re jealous!”

“I am not jealous,” I said as convincingly as possible. I am so fucking jealous. “You and Hendrix are both free to do whatever you want.”

“Really?” she pressed, her arms pulling me closer as her voice grew husky. “So, you wouldn’t mind if I invited him to my room later? Don’t worry; I’ll try to be quiet this time.”

My face blanched, and her head tipped back in laughter.

“You’re right. Definitely not jealous.”

A mischievous grin spread across my face, moments before I lifted my hand out of the water and dunked her. I heard her gasp in surprise a split second before she went under. Her revenge was swift. I felt her legs wrap around my torso, and a moment later, she was dragging me under with her.

In other circumstances, I would have been seriously impressed by leg strength, but at the time, all I could think about was the feel of her body pressed against mine. Her arms circled my neck as we rose to the surface. Our eyes met as we took our first breath, and the playful humor turned into something else entirely.

I should let her go, I thought.

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