Page 156 of Those Who Are Bound

Lucy huffed at him.

Now Greg smiled. “She’s been great. Very helpful.”

“Really?” Jonah feigned surprise. “How’d you do that?”

Lucy lifted her paddle and sent a spray of water his way. “Jerk! I am helpful!”

Laughing, he splashed her back, causing her to shriek. “I’m just saying; I never saw evidence of it. I should have kicked you out of my canoe ages ago.”

Elliott gaped. “You said—”

He winked, letting her know he was teasing.

“We were going to invite you to lunch with us,” Lucy said. “But now…” She pretended to be offended.

Jonah ignored her dramatics. “There’s a sandbar ahead.”

Greg nodded. “After you.”

They beached the canoes, but before Elliott could climb out, Jonah leaned over her. Bracing his hands on the metal sides, he claimed her mouth so thoroughly she wasn’t sure whether their kiss or the sun was heating metal. She reached up, curling her fingers in his hair, unable to resist. The fact that she didn’t drag him down into the canoe on top of her… masterful self-control. Because every part of her ached for him.

He ended the kiss with a nip of her bottom lip; the sound she made was involuntary. Not moving away, focusing intently on her, he asked, “Is this okay? I’d wanted a private moment with you, but…” An eyebrow cocked.

But… he couldn’t exactly tell his friend to take a hike. She understood that, as disappointed as she was herself. She nodded.

He looked down at her, searching out her wounds. “I want to look at those marks.”

“I’m fine, Jonah.”

Looking up again, he said, “You’re incredible.”

Raising a shoulder, she pulled a face of exaggeration. “This, I know.”

He continued to stare. “Elliott. You’re incredible.”

Embarrassed by the intensity of his sincerity, she teased him, “I fell out of a canoe. That’s what impresses you?”

He simply answered, “Yes.” But he backed off, grasping her arms and bringing her with him. “And I still want to have a look.”

So he did, his frank assessment sending delighted tingles over her. It didn’t matter how he touched her—looked at her—Jonah set her off. The light touch of his fingers skimming her ankle elicited a sound that had him attempting to hide a knowing smile, but he stayed the course, moving next to the abrasions on her knee.

“I have antibiotic spray,” he finally said, standing up.

“My hero,” she teased.

He leaned forward and nipped at her playfully. She resented Lucy and Greg at that moment.

After administering to her, Jonah and Greg cleared an area that had previously been used for grilling. Elliott helped Lucy bring the men the items they requested to grill hot dogs. When it was clear their assistance was no longer needed, Lucy grabbed Elliott’s hand and dragged her to the river.

They swam and enjoyed the water—Elliott cringing initially as the water hit her scrapes. Others passed by—some raucous, some serious—in kayaks, canoes, and inner tubes; when members of their group did so, Lucy waved enthusiastically, and Elliott joined in with a smaller wave. Jonah and Greg called greetings from the sandbar.

Elliott asked Lucy about Greg; she shrugged and said he was okay, but Elliott could tell it wasn’t a love connection for her. The twinge of guilt that she’d taken Lucy’s spot in Jonah’s canoe was unavoidable, no matter what anyone said. Then again, she was enjoying the day with him.

She looked over at him; at the same time, he glanced up from their fire pit and caught her watching him. His gaze turned to instant heat; she knew that look by now. He tilted his head, saying something to Greg, his attention never wavering from her.

“Uh-oh,” Lucy said beside her.

“What?” Elliott asked distractedly as Jonah stood from his crouch and started toward the water.

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