Page 95 of Knockin' Boats
“Like what?”
He pointed out toward the lake, where I could just make out someone on a board behind a boat. I cringed. They were wakeboarding a bit too close to the heavy boat traffic.
“We just do the boat tours,” I said. “Most the people out there have their own equipment.”
“Ah, that’s too bad. I thought the boys would love to try. Do you know of anyone around here that does offer it?”
“There’s rentals and an outfitter where you can buy equipment in Shallow Beach. But if you mean a guided experience…”
“Well, none of us know what the hell we’re doing,” he said with a chuckle. “So, yeah, I guess we’d want an expert to make sure we don’t break our fool necks.”
I laughed with him. It was a valid concern.
“No, there’s not really anything like that any closer than Osage Beach.” I hadn’t really thought about it, but it was a good idea. I considered offering him an unofficial outing, like I’d done with my friends, but the liability would be steep if something went wrong.
It really needed to run through official channels to protect everyone involved.
“I’ll bring it up with my boss,” I said. “Maybe we can add that option in the future.”
Teaching Shua had been fun. Watching their eyes light up with their first success. Listening to them whoop and laugh as they finally surfed. That kind of enthusiasm was contagious.
Bud clapped my shoulder. “I hope you do. We’d love to come back next year. This resort is just about the nicest place we’ve found to stay in the Ozarks.”
At my surprised look, he said, “Oh, sure, there’s plenty of hotels in the bigger towns. Some nice B&Bs too. But they’re all busier and…” He lowered his voice. “More expensive too.”
“Ah yeah, Swallow Cove is a little bit of a well-kept secret at this point.”
“May not be a secret for long,” he said. “Not with a nice place like this.”
“You might be right.”
By the time I got the boat cleaned and put up for the night, checked the other boats, and confirmed the arrival of Gray for his booze cruise, I was ready to call it a day.
My phone beeped with a text as I powered down the office laptop.
Ash:
Still on for tonight?
My heart thumped and my blood ran hotter at just the idea of getting off with Ash again. Regardless of where it was going,the bisexual boat had left the marina, and it wasn’t coming back anytime soon.
Sawyer:
Absolutely. Need a ride home?
Ash:
Nah, I got a lift home while you were out.
Sawyer:
See you soon, then.
I locked up and headed for Hudson’s houseboat. Ash was waiting on the deck when I arrived. He tossed a line down for me to tie up my boat, and then I climbed the ladder.
As soon as I got to the top, I reached for him.
Ash came easily as I yanked him into a fiery kiss, his thumb brushing over a spot on my neck over and over. The mark he’d left on me that morning, I realized.
