Chapter 5

He was twenty-five and she was twenty-one.

He was going on some errand for his grandfather or something — he couldn’t remember what it was. Because the moment he saw her walk down the beach toward the dock he had forgotten what he was supposed to be doing.

He was hidden in a group of trees. Oh yes — he remembered now — he was cutting wood from a tree that had fallen when he heard the hinges squeak and a screen door slam. He cast a quick glance toward the house where a girl in a bright blue bikini came down the front porch steps and crossed the lawn.

He leaned a shoulder against a tree and just watched her. She had a great body. He had thought.

Then he recognized her face. He couldn’t believe it. It was Katherine Kavell — Kitty Kat.

He stared at her, his mouth open.

Gone was the awkward teen who wore too much make up and followed him everywhere and annoyed the crap out of him. She was taller now. And her shape — that blew him away.

He shook his head in disbelief. Annoying little Katherine Kavell — the annoying pest who thought she knew everything, spied on him, had seen him cry and became his best friend. Well she wasn’t so little anymore. He was amazed at how much she had changed.

He felt a stab of something earthy and carnal go clear through the center of him. The ax he was holding slipped from his hand and hit the ground with a dull thud. He swore under his breath and shifted slightly.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her. And he didn’t want to. So he just fed his eyes.

Her hair was longer and straighter… It brushed her shoulders as she walked down to the end of the dock where a red and blue beach towel lay spread out and a radio played a tune.

He leaned against the tree and crossed his arms, then drew out a breath slowly, kind of a half whistle of amazement that a girl could be put together that way. She was so hot.

She bent over and tossed something on the towel. He groaned and closed his eyes. He heard the music throbbing through the air with the same beat that his heart pounded. He opened his eyes because he couldn’t hide any longer. He had to see her. He couldn’t deny himself the sight of something so beautiful — so wonderfully made. So he stared.

She was standing with her toes curled over the edge of the dock, her stances stiff and straight, her arms raised high, ready to dive.

He shoved himself from the tree and moved down toward her. This time things had changed — he was following her. That was kinda funny. He thought. Remembering how many times he had told her to go away and leave him the hell alone. Or how many times he had to chase her away. Now he was the one doing the following. He smiled.

She dove in.

When she hit the water, his breath caught and held as if he had to hold his own breath along with her. He walked faster, down the dock toward the water. But when he reached the towel, he stopped. He stood there staring at the rings of water she left behind, while the music from the radio blared out over the cove.

Her head broke through the surface, sleek and wet. He bent and flicked down the volume on the radio, then he straightened and waited until she turned in the water.

She froze the instant she saw him. Her eyes widened. She looked surprised.

“Jensen,” she said.

Her voice was older and throaty. It made him think of things like smooth soft skin and hot deep kisses.

He took two steps to the edge of the dock and squatted down, resting a hand on his thigh. He didn’t say anything… He just looked at her and enjoyed the view. He didn’t get to see this every day. Hell — he had never seen her like this. The air grew hotter and tighter and felt heavy.

She swarmed towards him.

He reached out a hand to her.

“Hi there, Kitty Kat,” he said, smiling.

She put her hand in his and he straightened, pulling her up with him while he watched the water run down her body. She had changed so much. Developed the right curves in all the right places. Sunlight drenched her, outlining her petite figure clad in the hot blue bikini.

Damn. That was an honest to god figure she had there. The curves and indentations were enough to make his mouth water. And his mouth watered.

He was surprised. He had never thought of her this way before. Up until then, she had been little Kitty Kat. His best friend’s sister who followed him everywhere and pissed the fuck out of him. His friend who had been there for him in her own way when he lost his parents. His personal pain in the ass.

And speaking of asses…

His gaze hooked on her body. He was sure the round ass was gonna be enough to make his stomach howl out. For a split second, he imagined bending her over, pulling that bikini off and sinking something — a part of him into her. And his groin throbbed in agreement.

He licked his lips and her eyes followed the movement.

She stood so close to him, so close that all he had to do was lean forward and their bodies would touch.

Chest to chest. Hip to hip. Mouth to mouth. He had a strange and laughable version of them touching and steam suddenly fogging up the air around them. He grinned.

She was much taller now. No longer the little Kitty Kat. But it didn’t matter how tall she was because he was still taller and she still had to look up at him.

She slid her hand from his grip, turned away and grabbed the towel. She used it to cover herself while she awkwardly pretended to dry off. Taking her time. He could almost see her mind spinning. He wanted to know what she was thinking. She looked uncomfortable… Good to know he wasn’t the only one.