Both were encompassed in the crashing sandy,salty wave. The huge wave was totally unexpected. They were brieflycaught as the undertow tried to pull them out to sea. Chase heldMaddy close as the wave tossed them around, waiting for the calm.When it came, he pulled her out with him. The crash had beenintense; he’d expected her to panic.
He should have known better. In all his yearsin some intense ocean waves, he’d known some experienced diversthat wouldn’t have handled the surprise swell with such ease. She’drelaxed her body as the wave had overcome them and the undertowtried to pull them out, but held on tightly to him, trusting him topull them out of it. Her bravery, her trust was… humbling.
Standing straight as the wave receded, Maddygrabbed his hand and led him out of the water. He lagged behind,helplessly enthralled. She looked back at him and gave him aseductive smile. Shit, she was incredible. Others looked on, makingsure they were ok.
Releasing her hand, he pulled off his soakingwet shirt to ring it out. Not wanting to attract too much attentionto their bond, he hollered, “Did they get the touchdown?”
As always, he could count on Payson. Shehopped over to him and gave him a big high-five. “Nice tackle. Hecaught it but was no match for my amazing speed,” she paused,looking to Aiden’s shrug. “That’s a game, we win!” His teamcheered, giving their own high-fives and hoorah’s. He joined in butcouldn’t help but keep glancing back to Maddy.
She pulled up her dress to a not-quiteindecent level to ring it out. His gaze landed on her thighs,quietly hoping she’d forget where she was and pull the dress upjust another inch. The wet dress clung to her everywhere. Glancingaround, the others were drifting apart, either settling back intotheir spots by the fire or heading home. He watched Aiden leaving…and not alone.
***
Watching from a nearby bonfire, Dylan felthis rage boiling under the surface. He maintained a pleasant face,making boring conversation with old friends from school in a veiledattempt to win them over. Everyone was so fucking happy. Life wasjust peachy. What the fuck?
They welcomed Aiden and Chase into theirmidst, forgetting all the trouble they had caused in this townbefore abandoning it. Cheering them on in the rather crass footballgame. All the while he, Dylan, a respectable businessman with areal vision, had to charm his way into the fold. This town didn'tshare his vision. He'd make them.
When that bitch had turned on him and hewound up in jail, he didn’t sit and pout, biding his time like akicked puppy. He made some good friends, solid connections.
His father certainly had broken more than afew financial rules in his own rise to power, so Dylan’s bending afew laws to set his life in order had only been natural. Aftergetting out, he’d started buying up small businesses, then breakingthem down to expand his own wallet. Filling the pockets of hisassociates, building a solid organization.
Now, he needed to make Maddy his again. Hehad waited years, until he had powerful connections, so he couldmake a grand entrance back into town. Fucking Chase had arrived aday after and stole his thunder. Everyone talked about ChaseAnderson, how much he'd grown up, his plans to strengthen thecommunity. He'd take care of Chase.
And he’d make Maddy watch. She’d never turnagainst him again. His colleagues questioned his move to take overSeaview and win back his girl, but he’d earned their unquestioningloyalty. They knew better than to defy him.
He'd made mistakes with Maddy before, anddammit he'd made a mistake again today. He shouldn't have stoppedher in the street. He just couldn't think clearly when she wasaround.
He still had several tools at his disposal,including a foolproof back-up plan if she didn’t fall into line.Better than those morons that had gotten themselves arrested. He’dhave to step it up a notch. And be sure they knew Maddy was not tobe touched. As soon as that lout was released, he’d answer to Dylanfor hurting her.
Dylan ignored the inane conversation aroundhim to watch Maddy. She was wearing a very short sun dress. Despitethe ridiculous game, despite her dunk in the water with thatasshole… he wished he could have taken pictures of her ringing outthe bottom of her skirt, wet and clinging to her long legs.
He was so angry at himself for his mistaketoday; he knew it would cause a huge set-back. He wanted her,needed her. Waiting for her to come around was going to take toolong.
Time to step things up a bit. He pulled outhis phone and texted Nielsen.Time to make our next move. Bringin the team. Start with the boats.
21
Maddy walked up the beach toward Chase, soaked, feetcovered in sand. It felt great to laugh with friends after such along day. She hadn't felt so carefree in a long time. Who knewfootball was such a great stress-reliever? She waved goodbye toPayson as her friend headed back to her apartment above FlotsamAntiques. Where was Aiden?
Maddy said goodnight to old friends. Finallyalone, she walked straight toward Chase who had completed hisfarewells. She stopped in front of him, putting her hands on herhips. Their eyes met as he looked down at her. Soaking wet bodiesjust centimeters apart. She'd never felt so... desired.
"Where's Aiden?" Maddy asked, grinning up atChase.
"He left. With a girl," Chase responded. "Hethinks Payson is walking you home tonight and that you're planninga girl’s night tonight. I may have let him think I planned on goinghome with Elena tonight.” Chase laughed and shook his head, “Yourbrother is a smart guy, but not when it comes to his little sister.I was practically drooling over you, all evening. Shit, I can’tstop thinking about yesterday. And tonight,” he paused, taking afew deep breaths.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts.“Anyway, I didn't want to let him in on my actual plans fortonight, as I suspect he would have ruined our plans. So, I let himthink I was checking out Elena." He grinned at his owncleverness.
She laughed as they walked hand-in-hand downthe beach. “You’re so clever,” she rolled her eyes. “That boy is abit dense. But, works out in my favor tonight. Nice tackle, by theway.”
Chase shook his head, wincing, “Payback’s abitch, but I really didn’t mean to land us in the water. I am sorryabout that,” he paused, looking her up and down, appreciating thewet dress clinging to her.
Like her, she suspected, he was feelingcompletely overwhelmed, imagining what was going to happen whenthey got home.
After an absurdly longer-than-usual walk backto her cabin, they’d finally arrived. He followed her in the frontdoor and patiently watched her adjust the alarm for the night.Maddy suddenly felt nervous.
She'd been thinking about this for too long.So many fantasies built up, but now what? She wasn't any good atthis.
Looking over her shoulder, she gave Chase herbest come-hither look, and strolled into the bedroom. That wasabout as brave as she got. What was she going to do with him whenhe followed? She stopped next to the bed and turned toward him,watching him walk towards her like a tiger stalking its prey.
