Read Online The Neighbor #2 (The Neighbor Romance Series - Book #2) by Claire Adams - Free Book Online Page A

of distressed designer jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt. His blue shirt was
not tight but it pulled on his muscular body perfectly. I was pleased because I
thought he looked as he acted, which was closer to twenty-five than thirty-three.
    “Did you miss me?” Ryder asked.
    I grinned widely. “You bet. However, you did leave
me in a beautiful spot. I would rather have taken in the view with you by my
side though. Where have you been?”
    “They have a kayak rental place up the road. Surprise
number two, we are going kayaking! I rented a double. The woman at the rental
shack is going to paddle it down. She will have all of the gear we need.” Ryder
waited hesitantly for my reaction.
    “Okay. I’m game. You should know that I have never
been on a kayak before.”
    “I have quite a bit of experience so I will save you
if you need saving. I don’t think we will encounter any wild rapids on this
man-made lake.” He smiled.
    “Good,” I said.
    The woman brought the kayak up to shore and threw
the gear on the sand. I pulled the shorts that were a little tight out of my
ass.
    I heard Ryder laughing and then he asked, “Can I
help you out there?”
    “I got it. Just pay attention to her.” I smiled and
then he snickered.
    “You are all set Ryder. You know the drill. Tie up
the rig when you return and we will be down to pick it up. If you run into
trouble, call the number provided. It goes without saying that flotation
devices are required. There is a storm coming in. I can’t say for sure if it
will hit us. Good luck and stay safe.”
    “Thanks for your help.”
    Ryder picked up my life vest and put it over my
shoulders. Our faces were inches apart and it felt so…right. We both resisted
the pull as he secured my vest.
    “I brought something for you to wear.” He pulled a
crushed golf cap from his back pocket. It was his Ryder Cup hat. He pulled it
down over my gossamer locks. “Perfect fit.”
    I was flattered and the cap fit as well as we did in
the kayak. We paddled away from shore with Ryder in the front and me closely
behind him.
    “This is more beautiful than I could have imagined”
    “I thought you would like it. There is something
about this place. I come here a lot by myself. It is nice to have someone to
share it with.”
    I was in a trance. The sound of the paddle cutting
into the water was mesmerizing. Ryder’s shoulders flexed each time he pulled
back the paddle. It was the ideal combination of grace and power.
    “I was going to say you seem comfortable on a kayak
but then you seem comfortable in everything you do. The golf course seems like home
to you but then I see you teaching and that is where you are meant to be. You
are a jack of all trades, a renaissance man.”
    “You are a smart woman. There is a
common denominator in all of the things you have seen me do. Figure it
out.”
    “Huh?”
    “Listen, I seem at home when you are around.
Regardless of what I am doing, I am in my comfort-zone when you’re present.”
    “Ditto on that. Have you taken many women to this place? I don’t mean to pry, just curious. ”
    “Yes,” Ryder said and my heart dropped into my stomach.
    “That’s nice.”
    “My sister Grace and her daughter Jane love coming
out with me. That is why I have Jane’s shit in my car. Any
other questions?” Ryder laughed. I realized he was tiring of my
inquisitive nature.
    “Have you noticed the storm clouds? They are
definitely coming this way. I think we should turn back before it begins to
rain,” I said.
    “Okay Al Roker . Time to turn about the ship.”
    I had no idea how to turn a kayak. Ryder did not
tell me which way we were turning. We were fighting against each other and the
kayak tipped over. At the same time, it started to rain. It was coming down in
buckets. I flopped around in the water. To a passerby it would have looked
dangerous but we were close to shore and I could almost touch the bottom of the
lake. I was laughing hysterically and Ryder was frantic