Read Clear as Day for Free Online Page B

cover his chest and belly. He shut his eyes and focused on the pleasure of her hands on him. Then her delicate strokes came to his face and throat. He stood quietly, soaking in her touch, and ignoring his cock, which remained valiantly at attention.
    Haven’t you had enough already?
    No.
    Sunscreen done, Nate busied himself hanging towels and swimsuits on the line and dumped the last of the forgotten ice from the picnic bag into Kay’s cooler.
    Kay gathered up her beach bag of things she’d need for skiing and supper, and by the time she’d finished, her face was serene again and her sunglasses hid the last signs of her tears. “Ready?”
    “Whenever you are.” He stepped away from his own backpack. Think positive. He was coming back here tonight.
    He glanced at her left hand. She still wore the ring, and it looked as perfect on her as he’d envisioned half a world away, even despite his completely screwing up on the size. Damn, he hadn’t gotten any part of this right, had he?
    She hadn’t said no. She hadn’t said yes, but she hadn’t said “hell, no” either.
    What a thin lifeline for his heart to hold on to.
    But she never said yes, and that still means do not pass Go, asshole .
    Ah, hell.
    ****
    Apparently, it was possible to become accidentally engaged.
    Nate’s beautiful ring hung heavily on Kay’s finger. They really needed to talk, and she hadn’t a clue where or how to start.
    Well, Nate was talking, and she was having the worst time following his train of conversation.
    “…and wait until you see the sun set over the ocean from the back deck. There’s nothing like it!” Nate kept up a cheerful running monologue as they hiked the longish trail over to Spider Camp, winding between tumbles of rock and clusters of cholla and prickly pear.
    She was a strange mix of relaxed and loose from their lovemaking, exhausted from her tears and the heat, and completely panicked Nate would tell everyone they were engaged, when she’d hadn’t said yes at all.
    But you haven’t said no, either. What on earth are you doing ?
    The mast of Nate’s little sailboat and its bright, furled sails came into sight, along with five assorted motorboats and a hodgepodge of multicolored tarps and tents in various degrees of weathering surrounded by gray-green clumps of tamarisk, mesquite, and willow. Although Spider Camp was the largest campsite on the notch of lake they called Two Bass Bay, with all their gear this bunch managed to make the roomy wedge of sand and gravel cut into the rocky hillside look cramped.
    A male shout rang out, “They’re here!”
    Kay’s stomach clenched, and her hand tightened reflexively on Nate’s.
    Nate tugged her down the slope into the fray of hellos with old friends and newcomers.
    JoAnn’s surprise was unmistakable. Kay had expected maybe a new hairstyle, a tattoo, new boat, something, but there stood her best friend since college in all her glory with a beaming grin, her same wispy blonde pixie cut, and a small baby belly filling out her fluorescent pink tank top emblazoned Under Construction .
    Oh, my, wow…after so long .
    JoAnn patted her gently rounded belly, joy shining in her soft blue eyes. “No skiing for me this trip. What do you think?”
    Delight for JoAnn rippled out into laughter, and Kay hugged her. “Totally floored and happy for you. It’s great. You look fantastic. How come you didn’t say anything?” Seeing JoAnn so happy tightened Kay’s throat. Guilt crept in. They hadn’t gotten together in a year. And her summer travels made catching her by phone and online nearly impossible. So, it was her own fault.
    “We kept it under wraps, just until, you know, we knew everything was okay. I am in A-plus shape.” JoAnn beamed. “I’ve been dying to tell you. Didn’t just want to leave a voice mail. And then the guys pulled off this trip, and I was so happy I got to tell you in person.”
    “How’s Lloyd taking it?”
    “Shocked as hell at first, but he’s