Her Perfect Getaway Read Online Free

breath, grabbed the
sides of the board, and heaved upward. Her toe hit the inside of
her arm, and she went down, one knee striking the board, the other
the sand.
    “Like I said, you make it look
easy,” she said with a little laugh.
    “You can do it. Try
again.”
    She stretched out on the board
again, gripped the rails, and tried.
    Again, and again.
    Finally, she got to her feet and
wobbled a moment before catching herself by planting a foot in the
sand. He placed his hand on her waist and she sucked in her
breath.
    “Almost there. Just remember, the
sand keeps the board steady. The water won’t.”
    “Got it.” She lowered herself
again, and lifted. This time, she managed to keep both feet on the
board.
    “Center and get your knees bent.
Try again.”
    Already her thighs were protesting
the repeated exercise. “Are you a teacher or a drill
sergeant?”
    He grinned. “You’re the one who
wanted lessons.”
    She tried again and again until he
was satisfied and she was coated with a fine sheen of
sweat.
    “Let’s take it out on the water,”
he said at last. “Wait. Shit. I almost forgot.” He motioned at the
sun, higher now. “Sunscreen.”
    “I have some in the room,” she
said, though her legs protested the thought of walking that
far.
    “I have some in
the van, and it’s waterproof. Not forever, you know, but should
last us a bit. Stay with the board.”
    She moved deeper into the water to
cool off, hanging onto the board. She traced the hibiscus designed
on the board and wondered why such a manly man had flowers on his
surfboard. And on his chest.
    He waved at her from the beach and
she waded out, suddenly wondering if it was one of those spray
bottles or if she’d have to rub it on with him watching, maybe ask
him to do her back.
    Please let it be
the lotion, her libido
whispered.
    It was. Sullivan shook it up and
motioned for her to turn around. She lowered the board to the sand
and turned around. But if she expected a sensuous application, she
was disappointed. His movements were swift and businesslike as his
palms coasted over her bare skin. Did he not find her attractive?
Was he involved with someone?
    Of course, he probably was. Silly
that she hadn’t even considered that.
    His fingers brushed down her spine
and she quivered. He snatched his touch away.
    “Ticklish?”
    “Not exactly.” She turned and took
the bottle from his hand, keeping her lashes lowered to hide her
disappointment. “I can get the rest.”
    “Right. It will last for a bit
then you’ll have to reapply.”
    She turned her back as she rubbed
the lotion over her chest and arms, her stomach and legs. She
capped the lotion and tossed it in the direction of her cover-up.
“I’m ready.”
    He grinned. “Get the
board.”
    He stopped her when they were
waist-deep in the water.
    “I’ll keep it steady. Get
on.”
    She placed her palms on the board
across from him and hefted herself up. The board sank a bit, and
she lost her footing, then tried again. None too gracefully, she
flattened herself on the board. A small swell of water slapped her
in the face and she sputtered against the salty taste.
    “Keep your nose up.” He pressed a
hand to the small of her back to adjust her, and she shifted
accordingly. He gripped the board along the rails, one hand near
her head, the other near her thigh. “Good. Whenever you’re
ready.”
    She took a deep breath, took hold
of the board, and pushed herself up. For a moment, she had it, her
feet under her, her balance, and she rose. But the board shifted
back and she tumbled, her ass striking Sullivan’s shoulder as she
flipped past him to plunge under the water.
    Strong hands closed around her ribs
and Sullivan lifted her out of the water. He pushed her hair back
from her face, chuckling.
    “You okay?”
    As much as she didn’t want to break
contact, she twisted to circle him and get back on the
board.
    After a few more times, her arms
and legs felt like noodles, and she could