Officer in Pursuit Read Online Free Page B

said.
“We’ll probably lose.”
    Grey looked affronted. “With triceps
like yours? No way. I know you’re stronger than you
look.”
    His compliment left her feeling
ridiculously giddy. As seawater lapped around her shoulders, she
was actually tempted to give in for once – to stop being such a
killjoy and let herself have fun. Even if it was just for a minute.
She wasn’t the kind of person who’d normally find herself getting
caught up in something so clearly goofy, and more than a little
flirtatious, but…
    It might be nice to
pretend.
    Alicia was already on top of Liam’s
shoulders, grinning with her long legs tucked under his muscular
arms. “C’mon Kerry – I’ve never played before either. We’re evenly
matched.”
    Liam was less generous with his
encouragement. “If you don’t want to play, fine, but since you
suggested it, Grey, your team will lose by forfeiture.”
    Grey’s jaw dropped, and he met Kerry’s
eyes, silently pleading.
    She took a deep breath, managing not
to swallow any sea water, and took the plunge. She reached for his
sun-warmed body, laid a hand on the powerful swell of muscle that
was his shoulder. It was thrilling and awkward all at once, but she
climbed up, faced her best friend above the rippling
waves.
    Grey held onto her legs, and she felt
a million feet tall – above the entire world, even though waves
were hitting her toes. She’d always been small-framed, but there
was no denying the strength it took for Grey to stand the way he
was: like she weighed nothing at all. He stood easily, cut through
the water. “Bring it on. We’re ready.”
    Kerry wasn’t so sure. She was reeling
from the feel of his body beneath hers, all hard muscle that hadn’t
been cooled in the slightest by the ocean water. He was big – a
couple inches taller than Liam, and probably a good twenty pounds
heavier. That helped make up for the fact that ordinarily, Alicia
towered over Kerry.
    It happened fast – Grey and Liam moved
forward, and Alicia reached for Kerry with a muted shriek of
laughter.
    Kerry tangled arms with her, surprised
at how secure she felt with Grey holding her legs against his
chest. They struggled for a few seconds, and Alicia’s balance
faltered. She attempted to right herself as she slipped to the
left, but it was too late – Kerry gave her a gentle shove, and she
plunged into the water.
    Liam pulled her to the surface, shot a
rueful look at Grey and Kerry. “Best out of three.”
    “You’re on.” Grey answered
immediately, then gave Kerry’s leg a squeeze. “Don’t show them any
mercy. We got this.”
    “I won’t.” Her earlier case of nerves
had ebbed away – mostly – the moment Alicia had hit the water. Now,
she was immersed in the moment, glad it wasn’t over. Best out of
three? A part of her wanted to stay up there all day.
    But she didn’t. Alicia knocked her
down after the brief struggle that was Round 2, and she hit the
water with a splash that was drowned out by Grey’s
groan.
    He was still looking stricken when he
grabbed one of her hands and pulled her toward the surface, toward
him.
    Alicia was still high in the air, her
hair glowing with a golden halo of sunlight. “Ha!”
    Liam was smirking.
    “Let them have their little moment of
hope,” Grey said. “They’re going to be crushed here in a
minute.”
    Climbing back up onto Grey’s shoulders
wasn’t nearly as awkward as it had been the first time, even if it
did send a volley of butterflies speeding through her
stomach.
    Round 3 was a desperate battle of
wills, punctuated by Alicia’s shrieking laughter and the guys’
splashing as they shifted to maintain balance. Kerry laughed too –
couldn’t help it. Especially since she knew she was going to win.
Alicia was a notorious klutz, and sitting on Liam’s shoulders
didn’t save her from her own poor balance. After a breathless half
a minute, she went tumbling into the sea.
    “Yes!” Grey did something like a
victory lap through