Page 15 of One Scorching Summer

“Oops. Language. Sorry.” Skye elbowed her uncle. “I kind of exaggerated. Well, not really. He wasn’t happy, at all.” She glanced up at Rake. “Better?”

He gave Skye the side-eye.

Jorja laughed. Skye was adorable and spunky. “It’s fine. Please call me Jorja,” she said, smiling reassuringly at her and Rake, deciding she liked this version of him a lot.

His face radiated love and pride. “You might recognize her from this morning.”

Busted.

“Do you think that Uncle Rake is hot?”

“Skye.” Rake warned sharply.

If anything, his niece’s smile brightened. “It’s really nice to meet the woman that has my uncle tied up in knots. Guess I should go. Nice to meet you. See you in the morning.” Skye turned her attention to Rake. “You did ask her to come for breakfast, right?”

“We leave soon. Don’t make me come look for you.”

“Jorja, if you haven’t figured it out already, my uncle’s bark is worse than his bite.” She giggled, jogging away.

“Sorry. Skye can be a handful.”

“Oh, I think all of that was aimed at you. She’s delightful.”

“Hey.” Levi appeared with Nettie. “Jorja, good to see you. Rake, we’re expected for the next game. Babe, I’ll rescue you from the fancy-drink crowd at the pool before dinner. You ladies enjoy.”

Rake winked at Jorja and slipped his sunglasses back on. “Later.”

Flutters moved through her as Jorja watched him stride away. Even that swagger of his was sexy. She rolled her shoulders to dispense with the energy coursing through her. That man.He will be the death of me.

“You’re shivering. How can you be cold when it’s hotter than blue hazes? Jorja? Are you sick?” Nettie rested her hand on Jorja’s forehead. “You don’t feel feverish—” She looked off in the direction of Levi and Rake, who were closing in on where the frisbee tournament was being played. A slow smile spread across her face. “Oh, girlfriend. This is serious. You’ve got a major hankering for him.”

“I do no?—”

“Youdo. Come on. Scratch that itch. You already kissed him. How was it?”

Jorja looked away, refusing to give away anything.

“It was that good ...” Nettie took Jorja’s hand and led her to two unoccupied chaise lounges with a small table between near the deep end of the pool. She dumped Jorja’s bag on one chair and her tote on the other.

“Yes.” Jorja admitted. “I’m not saying more, so don’t ask or surmise. I’m done with the topic of Rake Carpenter today. Got it?”

“Yes ma’am. Let’s get in,” Nettie said, shedding her skirt. “This weather is as unwelcome as a wet shoe, and you my friend, sister of my heart, need to cool the hell off.”

Jorja sensed the weight of someone watching intently as she untied the sarong and slid off her sunglasses. She glanced over her shoulder. Sure enough. Rake was as still as a statue, staring right at her. Riveted. The imp in her surfaced. Delighted, she flashed him a bright smile and sauntered toward the pool. She might as well begin preparing for the early morning now.

She jumped, submerging under the water in the deep end and stayed there a good while, treading water, welcoming how it squelched the day’s oppressive heat and cooled the craving consuming her. She dipped her head backward, enjoying the feel of the cool water on her scalp and searched the cloudless sky—so close to the color of Rake’s eyes—and wondered … Was it even possible for the two of them to straddle the line between business and pleasure? Would it be worth it?Let it go. Business is the priority.A deliberate splash in the face drew her from her thoughts.

“Hello? Are you there? I’ve said your name twice.” Nettie laughed, then splashed her again. “You look all day dreamy.”

Where are my manners?“I am. The sky is beautiful and the water is perfect. I'm just enjoying the reprieve from the heat.” She had to stop obsessing about Rake and the lease and have fun.Let it go.She filled her mouth with water, then aimed it ina stream at her best friend. She was here as Nettie’s guest, who was not hanging with her boyfriend but spending time with her. She glanced toward the partially submerged women clustered on the steps and gathered along the sides of the shallow end with their colorful drinks nearby. “Do you know any of them?”

“Some.”

“Introduce me.”

Jorja and Nettie closed in on the shallow end when a large group of men jogged by, whooping and hollering. Jorja noticed that Rake was not among them.

“Watch out!” Nettie yelled as she dodged to the side, pulling Jorja with her.

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