Accidental Shield

There’s no beating Flint with his swift strokes through the water and the wild range of his muscles, so I shoot Bryce a silent look. He nods, sealing our wordless pact.

We’re teaming up. We circle a little closer to Flint. I wait for his hand signal, then we both jump Big Daddy, splashing him full force.

Bryce from behind, me from the front, Savanny clinging to the board for dear life as water flies over his head.

“Ahhhh, hell, two on one?” Flint belts out a loud roar, totally the playful tiger. “Just wait, you guys, gonna make you regret not picking me for your team.”

He sends several huge swells of water crashing my way, but I duck down, swimming straight toward him. He pauses, just long enough for me to douse his face in one big swoop.

Laughing, he grabs me and pulls me in, pinning my arms against my sides in this enormous swimmer’s bear hug.

Good Lord.

The instant my body connects with his, the ocean battle couldn’t be further from my mind.

There’s just rock-hard muscle, wet skin, a curl of his lips in the whisper of distant sunlight. So sexy I wonder if it’s possible to self-combust. Yes, even while I’m eighty percent submerged in the ocean.

I know one thing—the happy, feral panther look he gives me with those sea glass eyes strikes a match, igniting my blood like a fuse winding through to my toes.

It’s a thunderbolt. A strike-me-down flash of heat. Pure, untainted desire knocking the wind out of me.

If Poseidon came up from the waves right now with eyes like heaven and a chest like a mountain, I still think Flint freaking Calum would leave Mr. Trident Face in the seaweed.

Oh, and it’s worse than I thought.

Flint feels it, too. I can tell by the flicking hunger in his eyes.

You know that old cliché about eyes that smolder?

This man’s eyes do.

His gaze, his expression, his wicked intent prowls its way up and down my body.

No, on second thought, screw smoldering.

Flint’s eyes reach up inside me, douse me in flammable honey, and make me want to come on the spot.

My grip loosens on his huge arm. I almost let go, sinking beneath the water. But Bryce breaks our moment, scoring a direct splash-hit on his dad.

He tries his best to evade the splashes Flint sends his way, so I leap up and grab the top of Flint’s head, wrapping my hands around his huge neck.

Big mistake.

The way we’re positioned face-plants him right into my boobs. That ache in my nipples goes to eleven.

Uh-oh.

I try ignoring it with an awkward laugh, throwing my weight into pushing him underwater. He finally goes down, but I get the sense it’s because he let us win.

Bryce cheers so loud I think Savanny’s nearing his limit for paddleboard fun. The cat gives me a look with his ears back that’s so over-the-top I just laugh.

We tread water, casting smiles back and forth, waiting for Flint to surface.

Our cheering slowly dies as we glance around. No sign of him yet.

“Flint?” I say, growing nervous.

“Dad?” Bryce echoes.

Flint pops up behind him then, several yards away, laughing. “Got you!”

Bryce laughs, but I don’t.

“That wasn’t funny!” I shout at him.

Whether it’s pure relief or the afterglow of that totally-didn’t-happen sexual depth charge, my legs turn to rubber.

I try kicking them harder, to stay above the water, but they’re too sluggish to do much good. It’s like my feet turned to lead. A shiver of panic ripples through me as I slip under.

I manage to surface, throwing my face up toward the dull light, but only long enough to catch a breath before going under again.

Oh, God.

It’s not working.

My panic grows. My arms and legs don’t want to cooperate. I don’t understand what’s happening, I’m not a swim team superstar or anything, but I don’t think I’ve ever—

Something grabs my waist, effortlessly propelling me up to the surface.

I cough, sputtering and gasping for air, slowly realizing I’m clinging to Flint.

“Val, you with us?” he growls, concern prickling his voice.

“Yeah,” I nod. “Sorry. I-I don’t know what just happened.”

“Too much excitement,” he says with a wink. “You’re still healing. Hang on and relax, I’ll swim you back to shore. Yo, Bryce, let’s pack it in. Almost nightfall!”

I release my hold on his neck, steadying myself against his shoulders. “I’m sure I can make it.”

We’re face-to-face again, his eyes shining like stars.

Oh, right. There’s that tingly burn, rippling up my body like a warm lashing of tongue.

Was it really just sheer overload causing my freak-out?

Or was it getting too close to this beautiful man while I’m wearing far too little?

“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll make it, too,” he says, keeping his tight hold on my waist. “I’m not letting go till your feet are firmly on the sand.”

Knowing there’s no argument with the protective drawl in his tone, I do my best to swim and support myself, but honestly? He just hauls me all the way to the shallow waters, making me feel like I’m being carried by a giant. When we reach the end, he lifts me out of the water and carries me to the lanai.