Free Catch of the Year by Brenda Hammond Page B

her spine. He might indeed have been a modern Neptune, although he wasn’t holding fishing rods. This evening, hanging from one hand, he carried a guitar.
    Just in time to avoid ramming the shore and catapulting herself to the ground in front of his feet, Jade remembered to slow the engine. Paul set down his guitar and stepped forward to meet her as she drew closer to the dock. He grabbed the boat and helped pull it alongside. Jade passed him a rope and watched him wind the end around the cleat and knot it to secure the small craft. So he was a quick study. Good for him.
    He straightened and his eyes glinted teasingly.
    â€œHi Dee.”
    â€œNone of that, Mr. Smart Mouth.” She couldn’t help smiling at him. He was just so wonderful to see. And she couldn’t help wondering how he’d kiss.
    Drawing her resolve together, she reminded herself she wasn’t staying. Definitely not. She turned away to lift the cooler containing his fish, passed it to him, and then gathered up the bundle of clothing.
    Paul took both loads from her, put them down, and held out a hand to assist her to shore. Without a thought she accepted the unspoken invitation and put her hand in his.
    On the dock, she said, “I brought your gear and the fish but — ”
    She didn’t get a chance to say, “I’m not staying.” Strong arms pulled her forward. A hard, long body pressed against hers. Paul’s hand curved around the back of her head, the other around her waist, holding her close. Before she could mutter another word, his mouth was on hers.
    Wonder of wonders, her wish to experience a full-on kiss was granted. Opening her lips, she met his tongue with hers. A hot, melting sensation shot right to her core. She reached up, clutched at his shoulders, and let her desire for him rip.
    This was fresh, like nothing she’d ever experienced. He tasted sweet and spicy all at the same time, tender and ardent. She angled her head and explored some more, ignoring the little bell that tinkled at the back of her mind, trying to remind her this was not part of her game plan.
    Weak, breathless, and burning, she drew away, reluctantly pulling herself out of that place of delectation, the place where her senses took precedence. She must not, could not, get in too deep. There was something she’d been about to say to him, but what was it? How to get the world to stop spinning and return to its normal balance?
    The kiss had wafted away all thoughts of caution. Like little bubbles blown from a plastic stick, they floated up into the ether and popped, leaving no evidence they’d ever existed.
    His arms fell to her waist. She heard him catch a breath.
    She swallowed, then said, “No worms this evening?”
    Paul stared at her as if she were talking Ojibway.
    She made a flip movement with her hand. “And what about a rod?”
    Paul had a rod. No doubt about it. His eyebrows went up and his grip tightened. He was about to kiss her again. But just then the carefree, treble of children’s voices intruded, reminding Jade the dock at the resort was a public place and one where many of the locals knew her well.
    He released his hold on her, stepped back, and bent down to pick up his guitar.
    â€œMaybe you’re planning to use music to charm the fish right out of the water,” she said, tweaking her hair where he’d squashed it, trying not to reveal how much he’d affected her.
    He grinned, dimple peeking. “You got it. Except it’s not the fish I’m planning to charm.”
    Uh-oh. Her heart gave a whoosh like a goose landing on the water.
    â€œThe thing is,” he went on, “it’s such a gorgeous evening, I thought we should make the most of being out on the water, appreciate every moment rather than being distracted by all that other business.”
    â€œWhat other business?”
    His eyes glinted wickedly. “Of having to bait my hook all the time, reel