Page 87 of Under Her Skin
“Damn it,” I murmur. “I’m donefor.”
They both nodand Max hands me a beer out of the little ice chest next tohim.
“I hope it goes a hell of a lot smoother for you than it did for either of us,guy.”
“What do you mean by that?” I ask. “How can it gobad?”
They laugh again and Kip pats me on the back. “Don’t even ask that,mate.”
I take a long drink and watch Rachelle pull the little boy up on her shoulders and he jumps off them, squealing in delight. Zoey paddles up to Max and splashesus.
“Daddy, come in and let me jump off your shoulders like Zane’s doing with Chellie.” She splashes a little more water atus.
Max gestures for us to follow. “Come on guys, time to getwet.”
We slide into the cool water and make our way to the women and children. I glide up beside Rachelle as Zane is trying to climb up her to get back on hershoulders.
I take his little body and pick him up on myshoulders.
“Please allow me to help you out with this one,Rachelle.”
“Hey,”Zane whines. “I wantChellie.”
“Give her little shoulders a break, dude. Mine are a lot sturdier.” His little toes dig into my flesh and I look at her in amazement. “Wow! You didn’t even flinch when he climbed on your shoulders. His toes are like Eagletalons.”
She giggles. “I guess I’m not as wimpy asyou.”
Wimpy!Damn!
The kid jumps off,and the force pushes me a little and my shoulder bumps her breast. I know I’m beat red as she clutchesit.
“Oops! God, Rachelle, I’msorry.”
She looks at me with a frown as she rubs herboob.
“That’s okay, Blake. Butow.”
My hand juts out to help her and it’s on top of hers as she rubsit.
“Hey,” little Zane screeches. “Don’t touchthat!”
Max turns back and lets out a loud laugh. Kip shakes his head and I look up to see Rachelle’s mouth wide open. She steps back. “I got this, thanks,Blake.”
I’m anidiot!
Rachelle
The aroma of cilantro fills the large kitchen as Hilda and I make her famous enchiladas and my famous ceviche. She has Spanish music playing as we cook and we dance around thekitchen.
A tall shadow fills thedoorway.
“Need any help?” Blakeasks.
I look up to see him freshly showered, his blonde hair hanging in damp curls. The smell of him assaults my senses. It’s woodsy and all man. I fight not to inhale deeply as he comes up next tome.
A tight, black T-shirt he has on, along with some tight, blue jeans that hug his muscular legs. His large stature next to me has butterflies moving all over my insides. I gesture to the wooden block full ofknives.
He takes one out and looks atme.
