Page 12 of A Little Bit Wild

He starts the car and drives us to the dock while I finish my burrito.

“You’ve been scuba diving before?” He asks, and I shrug.

“Twice. My mom took me when I graduated from college and then again last year. I’m definitely not an expert or anything.”

“But you know the basics.”

“Yeah.”

He nods, pulling into a parking spot and climbing out. I’m not as nervous about this activity, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve done it before or if I just feel more confident with Kye by my side.

I walk ahead of Kye up to the front door and turn around to tell him that this is actually where my mom and I went the last time we went scuba diving. When I look back, I’m surprised to see Kye staring at my ass. He licks his lips, his bright blue eyes darkening, and for a second, I could swear that it almost looked like he wanted me.

He looks up at our eyes meet. My cheeks start to heat again, but he just smiles and winks at me.

“You’ve got killer curves, darling,” he says, and pleasure blooms in my chest.

He likes my curves? My body?

No one has ever told me that before. I don’t think anyone has ever given me a second look, and here Kye is telling me that he likes my curvy frame like it’s no big deal.

“Thanks?” I say, and it sounds more like a question.

“You sound surprised,” he comments.

“I am,” I admit.

“Why? You have to know that you’re freaking gorgeous. A hottie with a body,” he says with a smile.

“Please never say that again,” I groan, and he laughs.

“Now you sound like Gates.”

“Who is Gates?”

“My best friend. He works at Knight Security too. I keep forgetting that you didn’t really meet the guys,” he says as he opens the door for me.

I nod, waiting while Kye walks up to the front counter.

This place reminds me of my mom. We were only here once, but she loved it. She talked about getting an aquarium so she could see the fish we saw every day for like a solid month. I can almost hear my mom’s voice in my head as I look around.

She would tell me to flirt with Kye, to take a chance and see where things lead, but I can’t do that.

Can I?

FIVE

Kye

Aria is smiling,and she seems lighter as we head back up the dock toward the parking lot. She actually seemed excited about scuba diving, and I’m glad she seemed to enjoy herself so much.

It was cool to see her have so much fun. When she had told me that her mom had taken her here before she passed, I had been worried that she wouldn’t want to stay, but it seemed to make her feel more connected to her.

“Are we finally getting out of these wetsuits?” She asks with a sigh, and I try not to imagine her stripping for me as I nod.

“Yeah, we can change over there, and then I’ll drive you back to the office.”

“Sounds good.”

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