Free Hit & Run Bride (Hit & Run Bride Contemporary Romance Series) by Nana Malone, Misty Evans Page A

this predicament. “Thank you, but today, I want to swim.”
    His smile was brief. “Already in your blood, huh?”
    “A little. But don’t go signing me up for a swim meet just yet.”
    He flashed a grin, and she forgot to breathe.
    “How about we get you kicking across for now. Then we can worry about outfitting you for the Olympics.”
    “Deal.”
    With a deep breath, she launched herself forward like Liam had shown her. At first, the panic clawed at her through her chest as the water hit her chin, but she fought it. Kick the feet. Remember to breathe. It helped that Liam swam next to her. The whole length of the pool, she wasn’t alone. He was right there, never leaving her side.
    When she reached the other end and desperately reached for the ledge, he was there, helping hold her up. “How do you feel?”
    Irritated from earlier, a little aroused from having him close. Confused as hell as to why she was having these feelings for him. But the emotion drowning out all the noise of her rioting thoughts was awesome. She felt awesome. “I feel great. Can I do it again?”
    “Absolutely.”
    Back she went, for once enjoying the way the lapping water buffered out all thought. All she had to do was kick her feet and hold on tight to the board. Taking a breath and feeling brave, she even blew bubbles in the water.
    Once she was back in the shallow end, Liam helped her to a standing position. “That was great. You’re really coming along. You were nice and relaxed.”
    “I feel great, honestly. I want to do it again.”
    He laughed. “And we will. But I want to practice getting you to float on your back again.”
    Her stomach pitched. “And just when I was having a good day.”
    “You’ll be fine. I promise.”
    “Famous last words,” she mumbled.
    Liam helped her take off her flippers and deposited them with the kickboard at the edge of the pool. When he returned, she told herself to relax. Just because he was about to have his hands on her was no reason to panic...or jump his bones. This would be okay. No big deal.
    She turned and assumed the position. Liam cleared his throat behind her then said, “Remember, the key is to stay as relaxed as possible. You can do this. You’ve already shown how badass you are kicking back and forth across this pool. Floating on your back is nothing for you.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    His hands were warm as they slid down her back. On a long exhale, Becca forced the thoughts of today out of her head and let Liam lead her into a floating position. His hands were low on her back, right above the curve of her ass, and her body tingled, but she kept breathing evenly. She didn’t want to disappoint him.
    “Why don’t you tell me about something good that happened today?” His voice was soothing and calm.
    Becca knew what he was doing. Keeping her talking so she wouldn’t think about sinking. “I can’t really think of anything.”
    “That bad, huh?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay, tell me what the heck a Tribot is? I keep thinking about it and can’t figure it out. Hell, I even Googled it.”
    “You Googled it?” A laugh bubbled out unexpectedly, and she wobbled.
    “Easy now, I have you.”
    And he did. In that moment, she knew it. He was there for her, and nothing bad was going to happen while he was around. “Tribots are a specific type of girl. San Diego pretty. Tall, leggy, blond. They only eat organic, gluten-free, and fun-free. And they exercise like maniacs. Like more than can be good for you.”
    “What’s wrong with working out? It can be fun.”
    “Yeah, but my idea of fun is a Zumba dance class. Not running the Carlsbad Half for shits and giggles.”
    He laughed. “Fair enough. What else categorizes a Tribot?”
    “Well, she doesn’t do anything fun. And God forbid, if she catches you eating a candy bar, she practically shames you into spitting it out, and that’s just criminal.” She heard his laughter as she let her body go, completely forgetting about her