Page 29 of Hers to Kiss
Chapter 10
Pete tried his hardest not to shiver. Although the day was exceptionally warm and there was no wind to counter the scorching rays of the sun in a cloudless sky, he didn’t want Lea to feel bad about him going into the lake after her and then being cold because of it. She was trembling, and he was supposed to be giving her the warmth she needed.
“Thank you for coming in after me,” she whispered. “I felt like such an idiot.”
He still couldn’t figure out how she fell in. “No worries. It was my pleasure.”
She giggled. “I don’t think the kids will let me live it down.”
Peter cast a glance across the water. Keke was watching them. He was more worried that Keke wouldn’t let her live it down.
“Kids easily forget,” he said smoothly. “Tonight we’ll fill them with s’mores again and tell them ghost stories. They won’t remember you fell in by the time they go to bed.”
She snuggled closer, her grip on his arm tightening. “I hope so. Sometimes I’m such a klutz.”
Pete smiled. He could relate. He was awkward growing up with long legs and a shorter torso that didn’t expand until his teens. He almost always felt off-balanced, easily tripping over his two left feet whenever he ran. His father often said he was an oaf and was embarrassed to watch him play any sport. After the obligatory recreational leagues from four years old until about ten, Pete’s dad had called it quits. No more watching his son trip over a soccer ball or miss the base sliding into home.
“Don’t worry about it. I almost tripped out of the boat jumping in to save you.”
Lea laughed. “I doubt that, but thanks for saying so and making me feel better.”
Pete stared into her lovely blue-green eyes. Bright and full of pleasure. He grinned. His eyes scanned her hairline. All the hairs were pushed to the back.Darn.It was a perfect moment to incorporate the touch tactic again. He’d have to settle for being her human heating blanket.
When they finally arrived back on shore, both his and Lea’s clothes were nearly dry. Pete helped tie all the boats to the dock. Lea kept a watchful gaze over him while directing the kids to head back to the bathrooms to wash and get ready for dinner.
Pete caught Keke’s gaze. She winked and gave him a thumbs-up. Pete ducked his head, embarrassed. Of course she had seen the whole exchange. Her boat had rowed close to theirs after Lea had fallen into the water.
How had she gone in, by the way? He wasn’t watching at the time, but maybe she had leaned over too far and lost her balance. She did claim to be a klutz. Did she…?
No. She wouldn’t have done it on purpose. She couldn’t be sure he’d go in after her. A sweet girl like her wouldn’t be that manipulative.
When Pete looked back at Keke, her smile had waned a bit. She waved her fingers in the air and headed back up the dock.
“Say, Petey.”
You know, it was entirely different hearing his nickname when Lea said it. It sounded soft and…loving, maybe? Keke’s “Petey” had always held derision that set him on edge. Now when Keke said it, it fueled something deep inside to…be a conqueror?Strange…
“Yeah?” He wiped his hands free of the tweed fragments from the rope after tying up the last boat.
Lea clasped her hands in front of her and tucked her chin into her chest. Her face and neck were a lovely shade of pink that complemented her natural blonde hair. “I was wondering how I could repay you for my rescue.”
Okay, now this was overkill. He didn’t actually have to jump into the water. She was barely three feet from the boat. At the time, he’d felt it was the most superhuman thing he could do that could work as a way of getting closer to her. For all he knew, she could’ve fallen in on purpose just so he would jump in after her.
But he took this suggestion in stride. He was finally having his first—he didn’t know what to call it—interaction with a girl he was attracted to that was going well. And the girl actually wanted him back. So whatever she wanted…
“Just doing my duty, ma’am,” he answered in the absolute worse southern accent. What was he, a cowboy now?
Lea giggled.
At least she liked it.
“Well, I was thinking a walk later on this evening? Maybe after the kids are settled in their rooms for the evening. I love walking at night. Something peaceful about hearing nocturnal creatures come alive. Don’t you think?”
Uh, nope.He was a computer nerd, not an outdoorsman. It was enough of a struggle to work here at his parents’ campground. He avoided the outdoors as much as possible. Except now that he was in great physical shape—and if he could secure that job in California—he’d probably be jogging up and down the beach. Maybe join a volleyball game or two. Show off his abs.
He had stopped eating sugar about four weeks before camp so he could have an eight-pack. Thank goodness for s’mores because he’d just about pulled his hair out.
Lea’s hopeful expression warmed him. “I think a walk would be a great idea. Thank you.”
