Bonded (The Raegan Mason Trilogy) by Cheryl Courtney Page B

love it when you beg.”  He grabbed my hand and pulled me as he jumped from the jet ski into the ocean.
    I screamed as I surfaced.  “How dare you, Jaxon!  You could have, you could have…”  I couldn’t think what he could have done, I was too busy slapping his arms while he laughed.  “You jerk.”  I splashed him as I tried to distance myself from him.  I really wasn’t that mad, but to hear him laughing at me just burned inside.  Plus, I was still feeling a little rejected from Kyler and I was taking it out on Jaxon.
    Jaxon was still laughing.  “I’m sorry, Rae.  You were so cute trying to unfasten the clasps on the life jacket, I couldn’t resist imagining you attempting a strip tease.”  He inched closer and I splashed him again to try and force him back.  His laughter stopped.  “Now you’re asking for trouble.”  He smirked.  He rushed me in the water as I tried to swim away laughing and splashing at him.
    It didn’t take him long to catch me since he had his flippers on and I didn’t.  His strong arms snaked around me and pulled me into his chest.  He locked his eyes on mine for a moment before slowly focusing on my lips.  My mouth suddenly went dry as I tried to swallow.  His arms felt natural around me and I was torn inside trying to decide what the right thing to do would be. He treaded water for us for a moment before gradually releasing me and swimming back toward the jet skis to get my gear.
    I fumbled with my flippers while trying to stay afloat for a few minutes.  The tension was thick and Jaxon kept his distance while I prepared.  Once we were under water, there wasn’t any need to talk.  We floated over the reef watching the colorful fish and plants that thrived.  Every now and then, Jaxon would tap my arm to get my attention as he pointed out new treasures.  Each touch was like a stab to my heart.  I kept hurting him every chance I got.
    After what seemed like hours, Jaxon suggested we head to shore to eat.  He had packed a picnic too.  He swam toward his jet ski and took off his flippers and gear before effortlessly climbing back on his.  I on the other hand was less graceful.  I just didn’t have the arm strength to pull myself up today.
    “Here.” Jaxon reached his hand out to me and I reluctantly took it.  He pulled me as I kicked and pushed with my other arm.  When I got close, he let go so I could grab the handle of his jet ski.  He reached his hands lower to help me up and I reached my other arm around his neck, finally making it up on his jet ski.  He scooted back some so I could sit sideways on the seat with him while I caught my breath.  He didn’t move his arms that gently wrapped around me.  I could feel the heat from his body inches from mine.  My breathing didn’t slow down, but instead started increasing as I felt him lean closer.  “Raegan, you are so beautiful.”  His warm hand trailed down my bare back, the other softly caressing my hip and rising toward my chest.  Definitely not brother like.
    “Jaxon.”  It came out as a whisper.  His lips crushed into mine and his arms tightened around me pulling me closer.  His tongue traced my bottom lip before he captured my lips again.  I allowed the kiss to deepen and he took the lead again tangling his tongue with mine.  His hands continued to caress parts of my body with the tenderest touches, causing a fire to burn slowly in my abdomen.  His hands firmly grabbed my hips and repositioned me so that I was straddling him on the jet ski, never once breaking the lip lock. 
    My hands trailed down his chest toward his arms and he released his lips from mine only to sensually replace them on my neck as he kissed his way up my neck, across my jaw to devour my lips again.  The thin barrier of my bikini pressed against the hardness of his body was strangely intimate, but when his hand cupped my breast, I gasped and pushed away.  “Don’t.”  I held him at arm’s length and