Free Romancing the Ranger by Jennie Marts

balance—she and the fish fell backward into the water.
    “Hang on,” Wade called, reaching for her.
    She splashed and sputtered, the cool water an instant shock to her system. Taking in a deep breath, she got her bearings and swam to the side of the boat. It was a warm night and despite the wound to her pride, she wasn’t hurt.
    In fact, the whole thing was kind of funny.
    Especially the look of concern in Wade’s eyes as he leaned over the side of the boat to drag her in. “Are you okay?”
    Actually a late night swim wasn’t a bad idea.
    “I’m good. The water’s fine. I think you should join me.” She reached for Wade’s hand and gave a tug, pulling him into the water with a splash.
    Oh my gosh . What had she done? What a stupid idea.
    She held her breath, nervous as she waited for Wade’s reaction. Brock could barely handle a speck of lint on his jacket, he would have had a fit if his clothes got soaked.
    Wade popped out of the water with a whoop and shook the water from his hair.
    His hearty laugh rang out in the still night, and her whole body relaxed as he grinned at her.
    Then her heartbeat ramped up as he swam toward her, his grin going slow and sexy.
    Oh boy.
    He swam up next to her, his bare chest just inches from hers. “That was a pretty big fish you just cost me. Got any ideas how you’re going to make that up to me?” His eyes held the hint of a dare, and she swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry.
    You are in control. You got this .
    Her self-talk rang in her head as she looped an arm around Wade’s neck, drawing her body closer to his.
    The full moon shone high in the sky and sparkled off the water, making it bright enough to see him, yet still dark enough to lend an air of romance and seclusion.
    His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he glanced down at her bare chest floating in the water. And she knew she had him.
    Sometimes men were so easy. All it took were boobs.
    Then any thoughts she had disappeared in a haze of desire as he leaned in and kissed her. Kissed her with a fiery passion that all the water in the lake couldn’t put out.
    Her legs wrapped around his bare waist, and he treaded water to keep them afloat as his mouth devoured hers.
    She tipped her head back, and he laid a hot line of kisses down her throat, his mouth warm against her lake-cooled neck.
    The night air was warm, and the lake softly rippled. Moonlight and stars danced across the ripples, and she gazed across the water.
    She froze. “Snake.”
    Wade laughed. “I guess you could call it that, but I promise it won’t bite.”
    Her paralysis broke as she shrieked and splashed toward the boat. “Holy shit! No—a big snake. A real one. On the water.” She grabbed the sides of the boat and tipped it toward her, but she wasn’t strong enough to get herself in.
    With a few big strokes, Wade was at the boat and pulled himself up and over the edge. He reached down for her and tugged her up.
    She collapsed on the bench seat, shivering. Her shirt and bra floated in the water filling the bottom of the boat.
    She pointed at the snake on the water and panic filled her voice. “It’s swimming this way.”
    Wade picked up the oar and brandished it at the snake. “Don’t worry. It’s probably just a bull snake.”
    “Probably?”
    The snake swam up to the oar, and Wade lifted it on the end of the paddle. Reese shrieked as he swung the oar and flung the snake across the water.
    He sank onto the bench seat and wrapped an arm around Reese’s bare shoulders. “It’s gone now. You okay?”
    She nodded, her teeth chattering, but managed to give him a smile. “You are now officially my hero.”
    He chuckled and puffed out his chest. “You may call me the Snake Slinger.” He picked up the now snake-free oars and with swift, hard strokes, rowed them quickly to the dock. “We can head back to the B and B, or I have a little fishing shack out here. I can build us a fire and see if I can’t find you a shirt.”
    She wasn’t