Free Rebound (Tryst Island Series) by Sabrina York Page A

expression cleared. “Well. That’s okay then.” She shot him a perky grin and plopped back down in her lounger and picked up her book.
    But they weren’t done. Not by a long shot. He shifted her legs over and sat at her side. She frowned.  
    “So I have your blessing?”
    “My what?”
    “Your blessing. To date your sister. Because it’s important to her. And Bella, I really care—I mean, I really, really care.”
    “Mercy.” She sighed and patted his cheek. “You are kind of adorable, I suppose. Yes. You have my blessing.” But then her smile morphed into another fierce glower. The tiny diamond in her nose winked. “But I swear unto God in heaven above, if you so much as breathe a hint about my feelings for Holt to anyone— anyone —I’ll have your guts for garters. Do you hear me?”
    “Yes ma’am.”
    “Well, okay then. Get off my chair.”
    He did. He sat on the end of his lounger with his elbows on his knees and his fingers linked, and stared out at the tiny kayaks bobbing in the water in the distance trying to tame the elation rioting in his gut.
    The road was clear. Kristi was his. Tonight, he’d have her again. And the night after that. And, hopefully, all the nights after that.
    Little did she know it, but Bella was going to be his sister-in-law some day. Hopefully someday soon.
    “So,” he said as a gentle breeze lifted his hair. He closed his eyes and turned his face up to the sun. “What’s the deal with you and Holt?”
    He chuckled when her book hit his back.
     
    The kayak scraped the shore and Kristi sighed. “That was great.”
    “It was.” Holt’s voice rumbled behind her. Something in the timbre of his voice snagged her attention and she glanced back. He was glaring at the dock. She swung around to follow his gaze and saw Cam and Bella hugging. It was a quick hug, nothing that should cause those shards of jealousy to stab her belly. But then he kissed her. Only her cheek. But still…  
    Fury snarled in her breast.
    “What the hell is that all about?” Holt grumbled. He hopped out of the boat into the water with no care for his expensive boots. Kristi stood, but plopped down again when he yanked the boat further onto the shore, his attention trained on the dock.
    “She has a thing for him, I guess.”  
    His head whipped around. “She does?”
    “I guess.”
    Belatedly, he thrust out his hand and helped her from the boat. “I thought you and he…”
    “So did I.” She collected their life vests and paddles. “I’m going to put these away and then have a chat with him. Can you and Drew get the boats?”
    But Holt wasn’t paying attention. He was staring at the dock, scrubbing his chin with his palm.
     
    Cam found her in the boathouse hanging up the life vests. “Hey you. How was your trip?”  
    She didn’t look at him. “Fine.”
    “See any whales?”
    “Not today.”
    “Bummer.” Silence crackled. He broke it. “I, uh, had a chat with Bella.”
    “I noticed.”
    “Did you?” Why was there amusement threading through his tone? She turned to glare at him. Yup. A big old smile plastered on his handsome face.
    “I saw you hugging her.”
    “Why wouldn’t I hug her? She’s my friend. Your sister and…we worked everything out.” Clearly he was pleased with himself.  
    “You worked it all out?”
    “Yep. Apparently it was just a misunderstanding. I’m not the dude she has a thing for.”
    Her brow rumpled. “You’re not? Who is?”
    “I can’t say.”
    “Can’t, or won’t?”
    “Both. Your sister is a little scary when she’s adamant.”
    “Hmm.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
    “Point is, no more problem with Bella. We’re home free.”
    “Home free?”
    “To continue…this.”
    “This rebound thing?” She didn’t mean to snarl, it just came out that way.  
    “Kristi, honey, why are you angry?”
    “I don’t know.” She didn’t. Was it because he’d hugged Bella? Honestly, it hadn’t been much of a hug. And the