Free The Final Piece by Maggi Myers Page A

breath as the vision of Ryan’s lips brushing against mine flashes in my head. His eyes find mine again, spreading goosebumps across my body. As if he can sense control shifting in his favor, he hops onto the dock and walks over to me. Praying my knees aren’t knocking together, I hold my breath and close my eyes as Ryan brushes the hair off my shoulder and whispers in my ear.
    “Pretty,” his breath dances across my ear and it takes a concerted effort not to swoon.
    I am a goner.
    When I open my eyes, Ryan’s face is barely an inch from mine. I can feel all of the color drain from my face and it is my turn to gawk openmouthed at a very pleased Ryan. I read his message loud and clear: I am playing way outside of my league. If I were smart, I would run for the hills but the feeling he pulls from me is addicting. I couldn’t resist him even if I wanted to. He takes a step backward, chuckling as he reaches for something at his feet.
    “If you are going to try and ski in that...” Very slowly, Ryan drinks in my bikini. His stare scorches my skin wherever it lands, “...you are going to want to wear this.” He hands me the life vest that Tommy threw.
    Shit or get off the pot, Beth. You wanted to play, so play, already!
    Ryan crosses his arms over his chest and cocks his head to the side. He thinks he’s scared me off, but I’m not going to tuck my tail between my legs and run for cover. With as much confidence as I can fake, I take the vest and use it to smack Ryan in the gut.
    “Perv,” I snicker. Ryan’s eyebrows shoot upward, and his surprise fuels my bravery. I am feeling smug that I defied his expectations. “Don’t make me sic Tommy on you,” I tease.
    “Now that is just evil,” he laughs, gesturing toward a still notably disgruntled Tommy. Tommy’s mustache is twitching with irritation, his steely gaze shifting back and forth between Ryan and me.
    Ryan throws his hands up in defeat, “I think he is plotting to lock you away in an ivory tower.”
    I smack him with the vest again as I step around him to get on the boat. “Who’s driving this thing?” I ask Tommy who is still glaring at us. “For God’s sake, Tommy, it’s a bathing suit! Get over it already!” I huff.
    “I’ve seen more material on one of those little rat dogs,” Tommy mutters.
    “Did you really just compare my bathing suit to a dog sweater?” I cringe. ”Gross!” I slip my arms through my life vest and make sure to secure the buckles across my chest. Facing Tommy, I hold my hands out, displaying my aptly covered torso. “There, are you happy now?”
    He doesn’t answer me as he boards, he just points to the front bucket seat. When Aunt Melissa climbs on board with Ryan, Tommy points to the bench seat in the back.
    For crying out loud!
    Uncle Rob snickers under his breath as he unties the boat from the dock and joins us. I’m glad he finds this so entertaining. I’m thinking it’s more of a buzzkill. Tommy looks over his shoulder as we reverse out of the boat slip, not wasting the opportunity to point his index and middle fingers at his eyes and then at Ryan.
    This should be fun.

 
    Chapter 14
     
    Once we are out on the lake, the tension is forgotten. The jet boat flies over the surface of the lake, spraying a thin mist across my face. I blink my eyes against the wind and hold back the tendrils of hair whipping my face. As we speed past the houses dotting the shoreline, I soak in the lake’s magic. Wind and water bathe my senses, releasing all of my negative thoughts.
    “You’re up first, baby girl!” Tommy yells over the engine, “I brought the tube for you.”
    My heart surges with love for Tommy. Water skiing is as much a lake tradition as fireworks on the Fourth of July and I suck at it. On our lake trip a few years ago, I generated quite the scandal by announcing I was through with getting dragged around the lake on my face. Only Tommy would show up the following day with a bright yellow ski tube. It made me