It was over?
Never would she have guessed, based on her level of anxiety earlier in the day as they wove their way deeper into the mountains, that she would enjoy white water rafting so much. Even though she was disappointed to have experienced most of the trip alone, without her best friend, she still felt a sense of accomplishment.
She couldn’t wait to tell her family about her adventure. Her brother, Hunter, would never believe she did it. Never in a million years.
Inwardly, she winced at the fact Ruby would’ve made sure to document the trip with her cell phone camera.
Oh well.
Not much she could do about it now. Hunter would continue to believe his younger sister was nothing more than a fraidy cat without a sense of adventure.
A strong breeze blew through the tall bamboo, knocking their solid trunks together. Without a paddle to help her fellow rafters, she gazed out across the river and took in one last glimpse of the beauty around her.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Pink Twin, who hadn’t said a word to her since the rescue, gave her a brief smile.
Emily nodded. “I didn’t think I’d like it so much.”
“The white water?”
“Yeah. I’m not really into adrenaline sports.”
The group neared the shore. The three Jamaicans grabbed hold of the rope that encircled the raft and pulled them out of the water.
“Well, I thought you were marvelous and brave for a first timer.” Pink Twin set down her paddle and unclasped her life jacket.
“You did?” Emily copied her and freed her oversized chest from their buoyant orange prison. Her first deep breath felt like heaven.
“Sure, most women who fall out like that would be a weeping mess.” One of the men on shore helped Pink Twin to exit the raft. “You know, it ruins their hair, makeup, whatever. But you? You took it like a champ.”
“Uh, thanks.” Emily touched the tendrils of damp hair that stuck to her face and removed her helmet. Thank goodness Pink Twin was not talking about photo shoots and modeling and release forms.
“Miss?” Another man extended a hand out to her.
Emily accepted and stepped onto the sandy shore.
A bus waited for them at the top of the rise.
Wait. Where was Ruby?
She had expected all of the buses would be waiting at the end of the journey. That she could meet up with her best friend and ride with her all the way back to the ship.
But now?
Did she have to ride back—a thirty minute bus ride on a very cramped, very small bus—with Pink Twin, Blue Twin,andMax?
Max appeared next to her. He’d removed his life jacket, and his wet, white T-shirt clung to his well-sculpted and horridly sexy chest. She could see every ab muscle in bas relief. One. Two. Three. Four. He had something like a dozen ab muscles. Plus very prominent pecs.
She felt faint.
Life was not fair.
He’d been so gallant rescuing her from the river. All strong and hero-like.
Dammit.
Why did he have to take those stupid photos? Why did he have to mess everything up by being, well, less than perfect?
Their gazes met.