The four-wheeler started up again. Jameson drove it back down the dirt road while Gibson climbed the hill. They both disappeared from sight, and the sound of the four-wheeler faded. A moment later, Jameson drove down the road—fast—kicking up a cloud of dust in his wake. Gibson raced down the zip-line at breakneck speed, then let go and plunged into the water.
The people on the beach cheered. He earned sixes from Cassidy and June, and a seven from Scarlett. Jameson smiled at me from across the beach, and damn it he was adorable. In all the time we’d been friends, I’d never seen him smile as much as he had in the last few days.
I was smiling a lot, too.
“Girl, you are plum sprung on that man,” Scarlett said, grinning at me.
I adjusted my sunglasses and felt my cheeks flush. “Sorry. But… yeah, I am.”
“Don’t you apologize,” Scarlett said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother this happy. Whatever you’re doing to him, you keep doin’ it, and maybe don’t ever stop.”
I laughed, because I wasn’t doing much of anything to Jameson. Not like that, at least. We’d kissed. Made out in his truck for hours. And it had been breathtaking. There was no doubt I wanted more, but I wasn’t sure how he felt about it. Jameson was a bit old-fashioned. Maybe he’d want to wait before we took things further.
I hoped he didn’t want to wait too long.
Gibson swam back in, and he and Jameson switched places. Jameson climbed the hill, towing the zip line handle with him, while Gibson drove the four-wheeler down the dirt road. My stomach fluttered with anticipation, and a little fear. A minute later, Gibson came roaring back on the four-wheeler, with Jameson riding the zip line just behind.
Jameson’s muscles flexed, and he hollered as he rode the line down. Right when he let go, he leaned backward, tucking his legs, and did a back flip before plunging into the water.
I clapped and cheered, as did most everyone else on the beach, then held up both my hands for a perfect ten. Cassidy and Scarlett gave him tens as well, and June held up nine.
“Tough critic,” Cassidy said to her sister.
June shrugged. “He could have straightened before hitting the water for less of a splash.”
Cassidy laughed. “It’s not the Olympics, Juney.”
“I have my criteria, you have yours,” June said.
Jameson swam to shore and got out of the water. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he walked toward me, dripping wet. He slid his hands through his hair, and the water ran in rivulets down his body, tracing the lines of his muscular frame.
He grinned and held out a hand. “Come on, darlin’. Your turn.”
I took his hands in mine and he helped me to my feet. He looked down at me, biting his bottom lip. I’d always felt a little uncomfortable in my own skin. Growing up, I’d been the tallest girl in class. My limbs were long, and it had taken a lot of ballet and model walking lessons to learn any sort of grace. But the way Jameson was looking at me made me feel beautiful. Comfortable.
It made me feel other things, too, but I was very aware of the crowded beach. A crowd that included all his siblings.
He twined our fingers together and led me toward the slope, grabbing the zip line handle on the way.
“Tell you what,” he said as we walked to the top. “I’ll drive. All you do is hang on and let go when you’re over the water.”
“Promise I won’t hit the rusty reef and die?”
He laughed and handed me the zip line handle. It was above our heads now, but I could still reach. “I’d never risk hurting you. It’s a rush, and worth doing at least once. Besides, where else can you ride a zip line being towed by a motorized vehicle?”
“Good point.” I nibbled on my bottom lip, my limbs tingling with anticipation.
He tapped my nose and planted a quick kiss on my lips. “I’ve got you. Just hang on until the rope starts to move, then lift your feet. I’ll tell you when to let go, then I’ll meet you in the water.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”
“That’s my girl.”
He ran down the slope and I heard the four-wheeler roar to life. A minute later, there was a quick tug on the rope and it started to move.