Read Online Catch of the Year by Brenda Hammond - Free Book Online

closed door. She knocked loudly.
    â€œYeah.”
    She opened it and peered in.
    â€œI’m taking Paul back now.”
    Adrian was sprawled in his desk chair, idly playing a game on his computer. He looked up. “Pardon?”
    She spoke louder, but made her voice high in case Paul could hear.
    In response, Adrian scrunched up his nose. “Whassup with you tonight, sis? You sound like a chipmunk. Did the rain shrink your vocal chords or what?”
    Jade cast a nervous glance over her shoulder. With relief she saw Paul had turned away and was heading back toward the front door, out of earshot. Her first bit of luck in hours.
    â€¢ • •
    Jade switched off the bike. Paul’s hard, warm body pressed tight up against her back, making her wish he’d keep it there. Surely he’d soon release his hold on her waist? Or would he make a move on her?
    With a sense of disappointment, she felt the pressure ease as he lifted his hands away. Then his warmth was gone from behind her, leaving her body bereft. A pity. But probably just as well. Determined to behave herself, she kept her own hands firmly fixed on the handlebars.
    He was silent as he stood next to the bike, removing his helmet, then holding it out to her. She stowed it away. When she looked up again, Paul was right there, up close. Before she could blink, he bent down and planted a gentle kiss on her mouth. One second, two seconds, their lips clung. Tingles rippled through her, little flashes of lightning, even though the electric storm was long gone.
    He stood back.
    Breathless, Jade stared at him. “What was that for?”
    Even in the darkness, she could see his expression. He looked innocently at her, but the dimple peeked. “For the fish, of course.”
    She shrugged, assuming nonchalance. “That was your doing, not mine.”
    â€œThanks anyhow.” He pushed a hand into his pocket and withdrew his keys. Knowing she should restart the bike and leave, but reluctant to make the final break, she watched him take a few steps toward his car.
    â€œSame time tomorrow?” Paul turned back.
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œWe’re going out fishing again, aren’t we?”
    This had to end right here. “I don’t think so.”
    He leaned against the car and folded his arms. “A contract is a contract, honey.”
    Honey? She wasn’t his honey, but for a second she thought how sweet it might be if she were. She straightened her shoulders and gripped the bars, letting her legs swing from the knees.
    â€œWhat are you talking about? You wanted to go fishing on the lake and that’s what we did.”
    â€œYeah. But the arrangement was for two hours. According to my special sports timepiece, we were only out for an hour and a half … . I’d say you owe me thirty minutes.”
    Thirty minutes. All kinds of things could be done in thirty minutes. Delicious things, naughty things, romantic things.
    Jade sat there, staring at him.
    â€œYou still have all my fishing gear, remember.”
    â€œTrue. Plus all those fish.”
    His eyes glinted as he waited for her reply. These still waters were running ever deeper, ever more dangerous. More and more she was tempted to throw caution to the northwesterly wind and just plunge in.
    â€œSerendipity?”
    She blinked at him.
    â€œWhaddaya say?”
    Settling her feet in place, she started the bike. As soon as she heard the motor, magic happened. Serendipity took over from Jade.
    â€œSee you tomorrow, Paul.”
    He grinned, made a confirming, thumbs-up gesture and opened his car door.
    Now she’d really gone and done it.
    â€¢ • •
    The night was hot and muggy after the rain. Paul sat on the stoop outside the simple log cabin and gazed across the small sickle of beach to the dark waters beyond. The north shore of Lake Huron definitely had its own special appeal. He felt good here. His limbs were quite content to be still.