I’d posed the question to all three of them, but my attention was steadfast on Rich as I waited for him to offer. I needed to know if I was reading too much into the distance he kept.
Noticing my gaze, he immediately looked away, and I sucked in a quiet breath as my heart cracked in two.
“You’re riding with me,” Houston said as if it had already been established.
He might be my boyfriend now, but he was still bossy and controlling as hell, and the perverted demoness squatting inside of me liked it.
I couldn’t even count on the pompadour wig and cheap, gold shades to detract from his appeal.
Even though I was disappointed in Rich, I didn’t hesitate to go to Houston. I slipped my hand in his when he held it out for me, and with his assistance, I climbed on behind him.
I didn’t allow myself to look too long at Rich and the muscle in his cheek, jumping as if he was restraining himself. Instead, I held onto Houston’s waist and pressed my cheek to his strong back. Despite the summer sun and the wetsuits we wore, my face was still at the mercy of the ocean’s breeze. It was cool, almost chilling, but no match for the heat Houston’s body generated. I was in awe, considering how cold he’d been when we met. Nevertheless, he was a furnace, and he warmed me right up.
Whooping, Loren was the first to take off, shooting forward on his red and blue jet ski. Rich, straddling a black and gray watercraft, was right behind him. As soon as Houston’s green and white Sea-Doo lurched forward, I tightened my grip so hard I was surprised he hadn’t complained. The brine attacking my senses was stronger than ever with the water’s natural scent mixing with my uneasiness.
Gradually, Houston accelerated, giving me time to get used to the motion each time we crested a wave. The moment we hit English Bay, the three of them opened up, and we were soon flying up the coastline.
I had no idea where we were going and no idea if they did either.
None of that mattered once I was brave enough to lift my head. The creamy sweetness of chocolate melted on my tongue as I watched the three of them enjoy the journey without a destination in mind. My heart swelled, and it was the first time I’d tasted true happiness in a while. The last time I’d been too young to realize that it would always be temporary.
Birds flew by closer than I would have given them credit, but as we raced past swimmers, groups on guided tours, and other rogues like us, I surmised they had no reason to be afraid.
Loren and Rich raced each other past Horseshoe Bay and Bowen Island and all the way up the Howe Sound while Houston and I followed closely behind but much slower. It wasn’t until they were done with their pissing contest that they slowed down, allowing us to catch up.
It didn’t occur to me they’d have a motive until they began to circle.
“So what do you say?” Loren shouted since they had to keep enough of their speed to turn their vessels. Houston and I were idle in the water now as they continued to circle and taunt. “Did you bring your big girl panties?”
“I’m not wearing any!” I reminded him—not unless I counted my bikini.
It seemed to have the desired effect on Loren either way because he was staring at me now like he wanted me to read his mind and every filthy thought inside it.
And I didn’t even care how utterly ridiculous he looked wearing that black, eighties mullet on his head, which had drawn more attention than it diverted. Luckily, he’d kept his disguise authentic with a pair of dark shades and a beard he’d glued onto the lower half of his face.
“How about a race then?”
“I don’t know,” I shouted at the top of my voice. “What do Houston and I get when we win?”
Loren pretended to mull it over even though we both knew he’d had his prize in mind long before he posed the challenge. “First one back chooses a dare for the loser to do. No exceptions. No excuses.”
I nodded as I thought it over.
“What will it be, baby fawn?”
“It’s not really up to me since I won’t be driving, is it?” I pretended to lean forward as if I was gauging Houston’s interest and whispered, “When I pinch you, punch it.”
The only indication I got that he’d heard and was on board was the subtle quirk of his lips as he waited for my signal.
“Hey, Loren?”
He was grinning already as he anticipated my answer. “Yeah?”
“We’re in!” Before I was even fully done speaking, I pinched the hell out of Houston, who immediately pushed on the throttle, shooting us forward and narrowly clipping Rich as we raced through the closing gap.