Read Online Starks' Reality by Sarah Storme - Free Book Online Page B

throttle forward and pulled away in a slow circle.
    Reluctantly, Jake pulled his gaze from Heather and returned to watching their path. But he couldn’t stop thinking about her, wondering if her skin smelled like warm coconut oil.
    Tucker crossed the rest of the bay quickly and steered the boat alongside the dock with an expert hand. Jake tied off the lines, pulling the boat snugly to the bumpers.
    Tucker turned his chair, stopped, and looked up at Jake. “You’ve already winked at that girl, haven’t you?”
    Jake laughed and shook his head. “I think maybe she winked at me.”
    “What? You mean she’s got the elusive Ace Starks on the hook?”
    “Could be.”
    “I’m sorry, I just don’t believe it.”
    Jake had a hard time believing it, too. But there was no doubt that just the thought of her affected him.
    ~~**~~**~~
    Eight p.m. found Coop more sober than usual. He grinned as he chewed and washed the fish down with beer. “There’s nothing like fresh flounder, fried in beer batter.”
    Heather had to agree; the fish was the best she’d had in ages. Having caught some of it herself while enjoying time with her father probably sweetened the taste.
    F ried fish pieces still half-filled the bowl between them after they’d eaten all they could.
    “You know,” Coop said, “it’s really a shame to have all this delicious fish go to waste . Especially when there’s a guy about a hundred yards away probably making do with ravioli from a can.”
    Heather straightened. “What are you suggesting?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t know. I just thought you might want to offer the chief some fish to make up for being so rude to him.”
    “Rude to him?”
    “Yes. Friday, when he came in the bar, you were a little harsh.”
    “ Harsh ? Are you nuts?”
    “Probably.” Coop’s grin widened across his face. “But I’ll make you a deal. If you take some fish over to our neighbor, I’ll clean up.”
    Heather glanced at the greasy stove and counter full of utensils and bowls. She’d dreaded the impending mess as soon as Coop announced his plan to make dinner.
    Then she returned her attention to her father. Was he trying to play matchmaker?
    Did she really ca re? Having an excuse to see Starks was more thrilling than it should have been.
    “All right,” she said, biting back a smile. “But you have to wash the counters, too.”
    “Done.”
    Heather wrapped most of the fish in aluminum foil as Coop cleared the table.
    “I’ll be right back,” she said, pushing the screen door open.
    “Take your time. And don’t forget to tell him it’s from me, too.”
    “Don’t worry.”
    Fish in hand, she took the trail around the back of the bar. Then she walked up to the road and followed the edge of the pavement. The bar’s porch lights and a single streetlight lit her path most of the way, but the illumination faded as she approached Starks’.
    She stopped at the end of the driveway and studied the house where only one interior light shone through the curtains. She saw no sign of movement inside. Was he already asleep?
    What was she doing? She felt like a schoolgirl, considering a stroll through the boy’s locker room. Her entire body started to shake.
    She turned back.
    Before she could get away, the half-tailed dog ran down the driveway, barking. Heather put her hand out for him to sniff. Almost immediately, the porch light came on and the door opened.
    “Who’s there?”
    “It’s, um, me. Heather Cooper.”
    “Really?” Starks flashed an impish grin into the darkness.
    Heather’s face burned. She walked slowly forward, giving the blood time to return to the rest of her body.
    He held the door with one hand. The other hand he hid behind his back. His open shirt revealed the muscles she’d suspected, and a line of dark hair down the middle of his chest.
    Blood rushed back to her face as she looked up into his sparkling eyes.
    “Come on in,” he said.
    Heather squeezed past him, careful not to actually