Free Going Overboard by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page A

Our last meeting wasn’t exactly romantic.”
    “But I thought guys always carried something.”
    “Well, they don’t. And even if I had something, what kind of guy would have grabbed a condom on his way out to save you?”
    “One who expected me to be very grateful?”
    He laughed in spite of himself and shook his head. “Oh, boy.”
    “So you would have made love to me without using anything?”
    “Looks like it, doesn’t it?”
    “Hmm.” She gave him a slow smile.
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “It’s nice to know Chance Jefferson isn’t quite as buttoned-down as he pretends.”
    He rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t like being at a disadvantage, and he always seemed to get in that position, with Andi. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this little incident just between us.”
    “Of course.”
    “Thanks.”
    “What shall we do now?” she asked.
    “Go to bed—separately.”
    “Well, that’s pretty obvious, but what about the rest of the week?”
    “Andi, we’re on a houseboat with two other people. I went crazy enough to want to make love out here on the sand, but obviously that has certain…hazards. And I don’t know about you, but even if we had birth control, I wouldn’t feel very comfortable getting wild and crazy inside the houseboat, with Nicole and Bowie just down the hall. The only doors on this barge are for closets and the bathroom. Neither place seems appropriate, so I think it’s a moot point.”
    “That stinks.”
    “To be honest, it probably saves us from making a terrible mistake.”
    “It didn’t feel like a terrible mistake a little while ago. If you’re so intent on being honest, why don’t you admit it felt damn good, Chance?”
    And it still would, he thought, watching her standing there, her breasts thrust forward in defiance. He remembered how the blood had raced in his veins when she’d arched into his caress. “I want you, Andi,” he said quietly. “After this, I can’t very well pretend not to. But our lives don’t fit together, and all we can do is hurt each other. That’s not going to promote family harmony, and I don’t think either of us wants to make difficulties for Bowie and Nicole.”
    “Ah, I see, the reasonable, responsible Chance is back in control.”
    “Barely.”
    “Well, that’s something.” She turned and hoisted herself up on deck. “Good night, Chance.”
    He watched her go, and then he swore under his breath. For the first time in his life, he truly resented the wealthand position life had settled on him. Had he been the only one to consider, he would have figured a way around all the obstacles. He would have made love to Andi Lombard.
    “H EY , the stock market rebounded last night!”
    Chance’s enthusiastic announcement from somewhere in the front of the boat woke Andi up.
    “Bully,” she muttered. “Better than an orgasm anytime, right, Chance, old boy?” She’d gone to sleep frustrated and had awakened in the same condition, although the smell of bacon and coffee coming from the kitchen helped mollify her. From the sound of things, everybody was up except her. Waves slapped the side of the boat and a breeze blew through the tiny window over her bunk. She peered out at a cloudy day and choppy gray water.
    Hopping down from the top bunk, she located her duffel bag in the stash of supplies on the bottom bunk and went into the bathroom to change into her spare bathing suit. Acting so impulsively with Chance had been a stupid move, she thought as she took off her nightie and put on the suit. Recently, she’d vowed to start looking before she leaped into romantic encounters. Maybe then she’d find herself kissing Mr. Right instead of the usual Mr. Wrong.
    The black tank-style suit might be a tad provocative, she thought as she glanced in the bathroom mirror. A lace insert down the front and each side didn’t leave much to the imagination. But what woman deliberately bought a suit that made her look