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Hardly any waves and I’m here to protect you if you get in trouble.” He cringed as he spoke the words. Do not become the knight in shining armor for another damsel in distress. The rescuer does not get the girl.
    But the eager expression on her face sent another twinge of guilt to his heart . Don’t be such a selfish bastard. Skyler didn’t do anything to hurt you. He stood and held his hands out to her, pulling her to her feet much too close to him. He took a step back as she slipped off the shorts and dropped them on his shirt.
    He massaged the sudden tightness at the back of his neck. I am such a sad case. Why does the sight of her shorts on top of my shirt turn me on? He shook his head and tossed his sunglasses on top of her shorts. It’s her sweet body in that suit that turns me on . He expelled a long breath of air. Down boy . He cleared his throat. “I’ll race you.”
    “ Beast!” Skyler’s laughter was a treat. She’d been so guarded, but, at least for the moment, she threw her head back and laughed without looking around for whatever demon haunted her.
    “ Okay, pokey. Come on.” Zach held out his hand and they waded into the surf together. He pulled her out into the water, watching to make sure she hadn’t bitten off more than she could chew.
    She ducked under the surface and popped back up, the water spangled on her eyelashes.
    Zach kept close to her, responding to some strong signal she kept giving off. Save me!
    He snorted and ducked under the water, bobbing back up with a clearer head.
    He was reading her signals as something personal when, in fact, her neediness was something she’d brought to the island with her. It came along as part of her personal property, like a bed or table. It had nothing to do with him. Skyler Danforth didn’t need Zachary Bailey.
    But she did need saving. From what, he didn’t know.
    Zach set out swimming with long easy strokes, leaving the beach behind. He kept glancing back to make sure she stayed close. Sky did better in the water than on dry land. She swam in his wake, her slender arms slicing through the water with grace.
    He had to admire her style, or maybe he just had to admire her. Zach drew to a stop and she paused beside him, treading water.
    Sky laughed; the sound echoing off the water with the chug of shrimp boats as counterpoint. “This is wonderful,” she gasped.
    A gentle swell lifted them, pushed them apart, brought them back together. Sky reached out toward Zach and he responded. It was probably reflex, but Zach drew her into his arms, aware that the atmosphere between them suddenly changed.
    Skyler gazed into his eyes as he drew her closer. Her eyes strayed to his lips.
    Damn! How much can one man take?
    Zach lowered his head and before he could make contact, she kissed him. He relished the way she melted against him. Her arms circled his neck as the next swell lifted them.
    A war of emotions raged inside Zach. He was very much in the moment, aware of the luscious body crushed against him, of the soft lips pressing his and the taste of her mouth as he invaded with his tongue. But he heard a small voice telling him not to get involved with this woman. She offered way too many opportunities for heartbreak.
    His arms ignored the message from his brain, gripping her tight and willing the kiss to go on and on. Skyler’s legs wrapped around his waist and he thought he’d reached Nirvana. Good thing the water was still cold. Otherwise he’d produce a huge erection.
    She’d probably be back on shore by now if she got a hint of how she was affecting him.
    It wasn’t just that Zach had been avoiding all women since his rejection by Chloe. It was that he hadn’t been intimate with any woman in a long time. Way too long.
    She pulled away, her eyes closed, and heaved a sigh. “Wow! Best first kiss ever!”
    Zach couldn’t argue with that, but he felt tongue-tied, awkward. He kept treading water, holding Sky and gazing down at her.
    She opened her