Chapter 44

EMILIA

I ignore Lacey, or at least I try to. But it’s very hard to act normal when I can still feel Liam’s hands on me like a phantom touch.

I need a distraction. Fast.

So I swim toward Lacey’s float, reaching for the edge to flip her over.

“Don’t you dare,” she warns, lifting her sunglasses just enough to glare at me.

I grin. “You’re right. I’d hate to interrupt your important sunbathing time—”

Before I can finish, hands grab me from behind.

And suddenly, I’m airborne.

I shriek, flailing for all of one second before I hit the water with a massive splash.

I resurface with a gasp, wiping water from my face as Liam stands there, arms crossed over his chest, looking so damn smug.

“Payback,” he announces.

“Oh, you’re dead.”

He only grins, backing up. “Catch me if you can, love.”

Oh, it’s on.

I launch myself at him, but Liam’s fast—too fast. He dodges easily, swimming just out of reach every time I get cl