Dirty Summer 4

One

Reid

Reid turned to the left and spotted his assailant sitting cross-legged on the dock. He shot her a quick, playful glare before diving completely under the water. In seconds, he surfaced at the pier, propping his elbows on the dock and shaking the water from his hair in a deliberate attempt to splash Maggie.

“Wait, wait,” she said with a laugh, wiping the droplets from her face and neck. “What did I do to deserve that?”

“What did I do to deserve having rocks hailed at me while trying to complete my morning mile?” he countered.

“Rocks? I see no rocks here,” Maggie said. “I was practicing my shell-skipping skills. It’s a perfect day for it. What brings you out so early?”

“I could ask you the same,” he said, taking in her thin tank top and short boxers revealing tanned legs.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Maggie offered, pulling her cardigan more tightly across her chest. He found himself longing to get a look at her completely out of those clothes. “It is a nice morning for a swim,” she said.

“Yeah,” he said. “When it’s calm like this, I try to get a long swim in from home to Shell Point. Gotta stay in shape for the Coast Guard.”

“Wait, I thought you were done with that,” Maggie said.

“I’m still in the Reserves, so it’s important to keep up my swimming regimen. Usually, I have to do my laps in a pool, but days like this are a great way to get a little salt water in my eyes and ears.”

“It doesn’t bother you?” Maggie asked.

“I prefer it,” he explained. “This is where I learned to swim. There were no pools on the island in those days. The salt water never bothered my eyes. Actually, when I first started on the swim team and had to spend so much time in the pool, the chlorine bothered my eyes. Still does. The salt seems natural and healing.” He paused. “There’s just something about being surrounded by all this calm in the morning, don’t ya think?”

“It is beautiful,” Maggie agreed. “I hadn’t seen it this calm yet. That’s what dragged me out here. And the quiet. It’s so peaceful.”

“Not for much longer,” Reid said. “It’s goin’ to be a beautiful day. And hot. Everyone will be headin’ out to the cape in a bit. Are you goin’ with Blair and Justyn?”

Maggie shifted positions and unfolded her legs. She moved slightly to her right and dangled her legs in the water beside Reid. Taking it as a sign she wanted to get a little closer, he swam until he was in front of her and put his hands behind her calves, massaging down to her ankle and back up again.

“Um, I’m not sure,” she offered. “I was thinking that I would let them go alone this time. How about you?”

“Nah,” he said, moving his hand closer to her thigh. He liked the way it made her draw in her breath. “I’ve got some work to do on the boat. And you’re probably right. We should give them a little alone time.” He flashed her a coconspirator grin.

Maggie smiled and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer to the dock and her. He was surprised, but didn’t resist her movements.

“So here’s the thing,” she began. “I totally heard what you said the other night.”

“What?” he said, looking up at her, wondering what was going on behind those bright blue eyes, but not completely caring as long as she kept looking down at him like that and letting him slid his hand farther up her leg.

“You know, the hanging out as friends thing? I’m ok with the concept, but why limit ourselves? Why not toss in a little more fun? I don’t know about you, but I’m not exactly looking for another buddy.”

“Whoa, you’re talking all over the place. What do you mean?” he asked.

“Something simple—you and me. No strings. No commitments. No attachments,” she said. “Just fun.”

“So you’re talking about friends with benefits?” he asked.

“Exactly.” Maggie ran her fingers through his wet hair. It had started to curl. “I’ll only be here another month, and I am really not looking for any kind of relationship. I know you’re busy getting your business off the ground, but you have to admit, we have fun together.”

Where is this assertive girl coming from? He’d pegged her as the type who’d want romance and roses. The whole relationship nine yards. She moved her fingers to massage behind his neck, and he involuntarily sucked in his breath.

Damn, he thought. What was this tiger up to? He didn’t have time for a relationship this summer.

“Just fun,” she said again. Whom was she trying to reassure? Him or herself? “Nothing more.”

Determined to meet her challenge, Reid raised himself on the pier, using his arms to propel his upper body as if he was doing a standing pushup until his eyes were level with hers.

“And you can do that?” he challenged, taking in the rise and fall of her chest and how she absently chewed on her bottom lip. He remembered how soft those lips felt under his.

“What makes you think I can’t?” she volleyed back.

“You’re a good girl, is all,” Reid said, bringing his nose down so it was touching hers.

“Good girls know how to have fun too,” Maggie countered, leaning up enough to press her mouth against Reid’s lower lip. She traced it with her tongue, as she trailed to the corner and then down to his jawline.

He shifted his weight so that he pinned her against the dock, and he felt the pier rock.

“Ok. Point taken,” he muttered. “How about this for fun, good girl?”

He didn’t give Maggie time to answer. Before she could form another word, Reid’s mouth crashed into hers. His tongue parted her lips and began exploring her mouth.

“Too many clothes,” he mumbled, tugging the cardigan off her shoulders and kissing her neck. Maggie shirked the sweater and gripped his shoulders. Reid put his right arm under

the small of her back, bringing her closer to him.

She moaned as his hand reached under her tank top and squeezed her breast with a firm grip. “Oh.” Maggie bowed to the roughness of his hands. He moved under her thin shirt and pushed it over her nipple. His tongue toyed with her, eliciting tiny whimpers from the back of her throat.