Page 66 of The Art of Loving Lacy
She nodded, and let out several loud breaths through puckered lips. “I’m good. I did it. I’m okay.”
The trembling began in her legs and wound its way up her body until she was shaking like a leaf in the breeze. Dane wrapped a blanket around her and pulled her into his lap.
“You’re safe, baby. I’m right here, and I’m so proud of you.”
She clutched the ends of the blanket and turned damp eyes toward Dane. “I’m not sure I will ever be able to be on a boat when you’re down underwater with a shark. I’m not just afraid for me, Dane. The risks…I’m afraid for you. But I can be on a boat when you’re not actively seeking sharks. Then I’m fine.”
“Lacy, I’ll take you with me any way you’ll let me. We can make this work.” He kissed her forehead and held her against him, with one hand buried in her curls and the other around her back, until her body stopped trembling and his own breathing calmed.
By the time the marina was in sight, Lacy was back to her normal self. She’d shed the blanket and stood in the middle of the deck with her shoulders back and a gleaming smile across her lips.
She placed her hands on her chest and proclaimed, “I did it. I didn’t freak out.”
“You sure did, Lacy,” Rob said. “We’re so proud of you.”
“You never fail to amaze me, Lace.” Dane swooped in and twirled her around with a kiss. “You ready to blow this taco joint?”
Lacy flashed a flirtatious smile at Dane. “You lead; I’ll follow.”
She’d whispered those words into his ear last night in bed, and hearing them again sent heat to his core. “I’ve got somestudyingI want to do before we go to dinner.”
The flush on Lacy’s cheeks told Dane that she was thinking the same thing.
Chapter Twenty-One
STUDYING.THAT WAS all Lacy could think about from the second the line flew from Dane’s lips. He was a fast learner, too. She stifled a smile as the memory of the night before came back to her. She walked away from the men, wanting to clear her head. If she didn’t hear his voice, she wouldn’t think about the things he’d said to her the night before, in the throes of passion.
The dock was not coming into focus fast enough. Her body was pumping with adrenaline from seeing the shark. Thoughts of touching Dane were sending her heart into a state of desperation.Hurry up. Hurry up.
Once they reached the marina, it seemed to take forever to bring the boat into the slip. Lacy went to Dane’s side, and he reached an arm around her, stroking the bare skin of her waist beneath her T-shirt. Every touch made her mind wander to sensual places. Every minute was a slow, treacherous drag of time. She didn’t understand why she was so sexual with Dane, but she didn’t want to question it, either. Once she’d found out how long he’d gone without touching another woman, her whole outlook had changed. When he’d told her, she’d wanted to dance around the room singing,He feels it too! He really, really likes me!And now, as she watched Dane and Rob, laughing, patting each other on the back, all Lacy wanted to do was get him into the cabin and show him that she’d been worth the wait.
Lacy watched Dane and Rob secure the boat to the dock, and when they were done, she touched Dane’s arm. His skin was hot from the sun. She wanted to run her tongue up his rock-hard abs and taste his saltiness. He flashed an urgent, hungry look from the dark shadows of his eyes, and the wordsavagecame to mind.
Rob gathered his stuff and stepped to the edge of the boat. “Thanks for a great run,” he said with a smile. “I loved your ideas for Brave, Lacy. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for the strategic marketing plan.”
Oh, I have a few strategies up my sleeve.“I can’t wait to meet Sheila.”
“We’ll see you tonight,” Rob said as he stepped onto the dock.
Lacy watched Rob get into his car and drive away. She turned around and bumped into Dane’s chest. He didn’t give her time to recover. In the next breath, his mouth was on hers, his hands pressed to her bottom, pulling her hips against his. He kissed her passionately and came away breathing hard.
“I thought we’d never get back,” he said breathlessly. He pulled her toward the cabin, tugging her shirt over her head as they stumbled down the stairs.
“I know,” she said between hungry kisses. “All I could think about—”
He hauled her in for another kiss.
“Wasstudying,” she said breathily.
He stripped them bare, and then he gathered her close again. “Lacy,” he whispered as he backed her up against the wall.
“Touch me,” she commanded, and he did.
“When did you turn into such a temptress?” he whispered.
She felt her cheeks flush. “I don’t know.” Her breath came fast and hard as his hands roamed over her body. “I realized my fear was probably more of everything…” She paused, trying to gain control over her breathing. “Not just sharks. And when I let go of that, and let you into my heart, everything changed.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “You own my heart, Lace. I want only to protect you.”
