Page 34 of Recipe for Temptation (Madewood Brothers 4)

Penn got out of the pool and scooched beside him on the edge of the lounger, water dripping from the sundress.

“You worry too much.” She picked up a drink and thrust it toward him.

That, he did. But it was something he couldn’t help— He’d grown up worrying. Constantly. If he wasn’t worried about the safety of his biological mother, he was worried about where he was going to get his next meal, or worried he’d be caught stealing.

And now, he was worried that his feelings for Penn were dipping into dangerous territory, and if he didn’t get a handle on them, he’d surely drown.

“We need to have some fun.” She smiled. “Teach me something.”

Sometimes he had no idea how her thoughts connected. It kept her a constant challenge. And was one of the many things that drew him to her.

He let his anxiety go and went with it.

“Okay.” He jabbed the straw into the frozen, fruity drink she’d given him. “What do you want to learn?”

She shrugged. “Anything.”

He thought for a moment, and the result shocked him. He shook his head. “All I know how to do is cook.” He definitely needed to get a life.

“I don’t buy that. I’m sure you can do lots of things. You just don’t give yourself time to do them.”

Possibly. Hadn’t he just been thinking the same thing minutes ago?

“All right.” He sat up and planted his feet firmly on the hot pavement, setting aside the drink. “I know something we can do.”

He pointed at two boys walking past the pool area with surfboards in tow.

“You know how to surf?” She stared at him in disbelief.

“Not a clue.” Which made the prospect even more enticing. “Point Break used to be my favorite movie, though, so I think I can handle it.”

She giggled. “Right.”

When their drinks were finished, they headed to the rental booth on the beach.

He picked out a blue board for himself and a red board for her. When they were all waxed up and their lines were fastened to their ankles, he led them to the shoreline.

“I really don’t think it’s a good idea to try this without lessons.” She looked out to the water. Her hair whipped across her face, but it didn’t hide the worry that darkened her gaze.

“Now who’s the rule follower?”

“Fine.” Her shoulders eased and her body relaxed. “But when I fall off every time, no laughing. And remember”—she stepped into the water, looking over her shoulder—“I’m doing this for you.”

They had a blast.

Out in the waves, Cole laughed and groaned as he popped up onto his board over and over. It took quite a few tries to stand up without dragging his feet in the water and toppling, but eventually he was able to stay on for a few seconds before wiping out. Penn hung off to the side with a big grin, straddling her board, her feet dangling over the sides, just watching him.

He paddled over to her.

“That was pathetic, Murphy.”

“Maybe you’re not the only un-athletic one.” He felt he’d been moderately successful. But he hadn’t expected to ride a five foot swell his first time out.

“Gee. You looked pretty graceful to me as you cartwheeled into the waves.”

He made a face at her as he paddled closer and lined up his board parallel to hers. But there wasn’t a chance in the world of getting mad at her teasing. He was having too much fun.

Her body was smoking hot, wet, and glistening in the sun. The urge to kiss her was overwhelming. And she knew exactly what he was thinking. She leaned closer, scoping out their surroundings to check that no one was watching. But out here, in the middle of the ocean, no one could see who they were.

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