Page 37 of An Irish Kiss
That seemed to fire him up, as he gripped the edge and hauled himself up.Tendons rippled in his forearms as he climbed over the edge and almost fell into the speedboat.She handed him the jacket she’d been wearing.
“But you’ll be c-c-cold.”
That was thoughtful.“I’m not the one who has been shivering.”
He shook his head.“I c-c-can’t.”
“I think you’ll find you can.Here.”She helped him in, and yes, it was a bit tight, but “It’s pre-warmed, see?”
He nodded, and she zipped it up.Standing close to him like this was dangerous.She was reminded again how easy it would be to let herself fall into his swoon-inducing scent instead of remembering why she didn’t want to be near him.
She gently pushed him to sit, then grabbed a blanket from the storage cupboard and gave that to him.“I’m afraid it’s musty as it’s been awhile since that got used, but it’ll keep you warm at least.But it’d be better if you stay low so the wind doesn’t get you.”
He nodded.“Th-thanks.”
“Oh, and here’s a bottle of water.”Another find from the emergency kit.She gently lobbed it at him.“It might taste a little stale but I’m guessing you won’t mind.”
“I d-don’t mind at all.”
She turned her back on him, then, after checking the kayak was still secured, slowly made her way back to the jetty.
A small crowd had gathered near the boathouse, and if she had been the gloating kind—okay, she totallywasthe gloating kind—then she’d take no small amount of satisfaction from his embarrassment.
“I feel like such an idiot,” he muttered.
Was it too soon to say—
“Well, perhaps if you’d told someone of your intentions, then you wouldn’t be in this mess, would you?”
Apparently not.
He groaned.
She shot him a glance.“You know we have a strong current that does that, which is why we don’t encourage the use of kayaks or wild swimming in the afternoon.”
“I know that now,” he muttered.
“Which is exactly why we ask people to let us know when they plan to take out the kayaks.It’s in the guidebook in your room.”
He winced.“Yeah, I think I r-remember something about that now.”
She sighed.“Well, I suppose nothing beats experience.”
“I won’t be doing that again.”
“I don’t blame you.”She peeked at him.“You know you would’ve been warmer if you’d been wearing the life preserver.”
He sighed.“I know.I’m sorry, I got it all wrong.”
“Have you ever kayaked before?”
“Yes.”Defensiveness loaded the word.“But it’s different here.”
“Yes, this is real.Let me guess: you’ve gone to one of those places where they have controlled rapids and things?”
“H-how did you know?”
“Look, I can understand you might think you know some things, but don’t underestimate us.Those warnings,” she pointed to the side of the boathouse, “are there for a reason.”
