Crazy for Love by Victoria Dahl Page A

memory of that soft skin. “Keep the red on the starboard side and the green on the port. That’s left.”
    â€œGot it.”
    She turned to look out at the water, her thighsflexing with the movement. God, he had to touch her again, soon.
    This celibacy thing was backfiring. His mind was swimming with the taste of her mouth and the firm push of her nipple against his palm and the slick heat of her sex beneath his fingers…
    â€œA little slower,” he murmured. The pitch of the engine didn’t change, so Max sighed and pulled his gaze from Chloe’s body. “A little slower!” he called out, and Elliott gave him a thumbs-up and cut the speed.
    The water was rougher today, so they’d decided to take the boat all the way back to the protected waters of the bay. A forty-five-minute trip, but what the hell. Chloe was there, totally relaxed, sending him secret winks every time he made a move to control the situation.
    God, she was hot.
    â€œDoes this look good?” he asked Elliott, gesturing toward a little curve of the shoreline. What he meant was Stop here. But asking for input was a much more effective way to maneuver people. When Elliott nodded, Max said, “I’ll drop the anchor.” The engine cut off and a faint ribbon of peace washed over him with the silence. The sound of water was more muffled here in the protected confines of the bay. The most prominent sound was the trilling of birds and the rattle of insects and the soft laughterof the two women who’d asked if they could accompanying the men on their fishing trip.
    Max took a deep breath and let the anchor fall. Then he turned toward Chloe and her bright grin. She clearly enjoyed being in on his secret, and Max felt lighter than he had in years.
    Chloe was… Chloe was an oasis.
    Perhaps that was an odd metaphor in the middle of a warm bay, surrounded by lush greenery. But there was nothing peaceful for him here. Nothing but Chloe.
    â€œHey, Max!” she called out, the corner of her mouth edging up. “Can we take off our life jackets now that we’re stopped?” She’d already pushed the boundary by leaving only the top buckle buttoned, but since she’d exposed her stomach, he hadn’t complained. Much.
    â€œShush,” he called. “I told you the Coast Guard has eyes and ears everywhere. After that incident with the admiral’s twin daughters, he’s out to get me on any trumped-up charge he can. The life jackets stay on.”
    â€œOh, the twin daughters. Right. Got it.”
    â€œWelcome to my crazy world.”
    Laughter danced in her eyes. “You got a rod for me?”
    He raised an eyebrow and grabbed a fishing rodas an excuse to go sit next to her. “Have you ever fished?”
    â€œIt’s been a long time. My dad used to take me out when I was little, but he took care of all the details. The worms and the…fish.”
    â€œRight.” His knee brushed hers, just as it had the night before. He looked down at the creamy skin of her thigh. What would’ve happened if they hadn’t been discovered? She’d just been starting to make the best sounds. If he’d—
    â€œSo are you going to take care of it for me?”
    â€œHmm?”
    â€œThe worms?”
    â€œOh, sure. The worms. We use squid strips, actually. But I’ll bait the line if you like.”
    â€œI like.”
    He showed Chloe what to do, glancing up to see that Elliott was doing the same for Jenn. Chloe looked familiar with the rod and reel, so he stepped back to wipe off his hands and let her cast. The movement pitched her body forward, and Max cringed and reached for her. His mind spit out a charming line as he pulled her back against his chest. I was looking for an excuse to touch you, it said. Then, Maybe you need a little more hands-on instruction.
    Max stayed still, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other hand holding her elbow. And herealized