Page 49 of Objection to Love

She burst out laughing, blinking against the rivulets of water streaming from her hair.

Garrett stopped shaking her. “You… you punk! I thought you’d drowned! I thought you couldn’t swim.” Instead of pushing her away, he pulled her closer, his hands splayed across her back.

Despite her continued laughter, Em’s heart rate hiked up.

She glimpsed his scowling face and laughed again. “I’m sorry, but it serves you right.”

“Hardly.” He brushed hair back from her face, one arm still around her waist.

Her arms were pinned up against his chest, and she could feel each of his solid muscles she’d shamelessly counted against her. With suddenly intense eyes, he searched her face, and Em’s laughter died away.

“It is cold, by the way.” The words came out haltingly.

“I disagree.”

She glanced over his shoulder to see Jenica unabashedly staring at the two of them, and Noah pretending to be very interested in a rock by his feet. “Um. We should…”

Garrett blinked at her twice before twisting his head to see what she was looking at. He cursed under his breath before loosening his hold on her.

And, as it turned out, he was right. It hadn’t been cold. But now that his body heat was gone, Em was suddenly shivering.

She felt his hand wrap around hers and tug at her, urging her farther out.

“Come on,” he said, “if you swim around a bit, you won’t feel so cold.”

“Or I could just get out and wrap up in a towel.”

“Yeah, that’s not part of the plan.” He released her hand and began treading water.

“What is the plan?”

“Having fun.” He grinned at her, and his wet hair and broad shoulders only added to his appeal.

Em was in trouble.

“And what if I would have more fun on the shore?”

“Do you think you will?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.

She pulled her mouth to the side in pretend consideration, kicking her legs out and treading water. The cold was dissipating, and the combination of a weightless body and an attractive swimming partner was heady. “Mmmm… no. Probably not.”

His grin reappeared. “Perfect.”

And the dumb desire to kiss him re-emerged with his smile. She had to do something about that.

So, she used the only weapon in her arsenal. Cupping her hand beneath the water, she sent a large stream surging straight into his face.

Em wrung water from her hair before slipping her tennis shoes back on. She’d managed to dry off enough to slip her clothes over her swimsuit but was pretty sure she looked like she couldn’t find a bathroom quick enough, thanks to her still-damp suit.

With her shoes on, she glanced up. The guys had disappeared, promising they would be back in a couple minutes, so Em was greeted only with Jenica’s cold stare. Lovely.

“Em, is it?” the haughty blonde asked. Em nearly laughed at the perfected tone of indifference and superiority.

“Yeah, and you’re… Monica? Sorry we haven’t had much time to get to know each other.” Em had gotten all the time she needed during their brief introduction by the cars. Jenica had told Em she would look better if she wore a different color. Em had told Jenica she would look better if she wore a different face. Or something like that.

She’d kind of hoped that would be the end of their interactions.

Jenica smiled sweetly, ignoring Em’s misstep with her name, and cut to the chase. “He and I used to be engaged, you know.”

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