Read Proximity for Free Online Page B

thank God." Derek slapped him on the back when the jeep finally came to a stop. "You good to go?"
    "Always." He leapt from the jeep and glanced to where Savannah chatted away to Matthew. "Looks like she's made a new friend."
    "Yeah, he's pretty hot for her, I think. But what man isn't, right? Everywhere we go she leaves a broken heart in her wake. Gotta love that about her," Stewart observed from where he tossed their gear onto the ground. "She told me earlier that you and I were partnering up this trip, is that true? I can't believe she'd switch—"
    "My idea, actually." He smiled at his friend while trying to bite back the bitterness that she was once again choosing someone else over him.
    I never should have kissed her.
    "What's really going on with you, Bill? We're not all fun and games, you know. You can talk to us. Are you sure you're up for a dive today?"
    He shoved a restless hand through his hair and coached himself to get a grip. "It's been awhile since we've partnered together. I felt like a change, that's all. You okay with it?"
    Stewart blinked a minute before nodding toward Paul. "We were talking last night. This trip seems off. I'm not sure we should be changing up the routine. Between you acting like you've been possessed and all the delays we had getting here, there's a feeling of doom in the air. Don't you feel it?"
    "Stewart and Paul want a couple's massage back at the resort instead of the dive!" Derek shouted to the others who were donning wetsuits near the first jeep. "They're getting the heebie jeebies."
    Jon laughed and tossed a tank into Paul's arms. "You can be our retrieval team then. Make sure you have snacks ready."
    "I'm not kidding," Stewart muttered under his breath before turning around to pull his gear toward Savannah. "You can have your partner, I don't want him."
    She said something he couldn't hear, but assumed it wasn't flattering when the other men laughed in response. After zipping up her wetsuit and checking her BCU, she walked toward him. She'd braided her long black hair like she usually did for a dive. Today, however, he noticed the accentuated cheekbones and large eyes more than he ever had before. Now that he'd gotten a taste of her, it would be hard to resist wanting more.
    Did I actually use the word soul mate? That's not like me at all, no wonder she hasn't said word one to me all morning , he chastised himself.
    But, damn, she'd tasted better than he'd imagined and he wanted more. He frowned in her direction before busying himself with his gear.
    Now that I've started this, I'm going to finish it. I need to know if there's a chance to break out of the buddy zone.
    "Seems I'm the only one who can put up with you," she said with raised eyebrow that he interpreted as a challenge. "Did you take your meds? Are you normal Bill today or your evil twin?"
    "Funny." He focused on checking his air tank. "I'm not apologizing for last night."
    "I didn't ask you to apologize." Hands on her hips, she looked him up and down. "Tonight, though, we're going to talk about it."
    "No, we're not." He smiled and indulged in looking at the way she filled out the wetsuit. He'd seen her dressed exactly like this too many times to count, but he wanted her to be aware of his stare on her breasts so maybe she'd stop being so damn stupid and get the hint. If his kiss hadn't communicated the message, maybe a leer would.
    "You're confusing the hell out of me and I don't like it," she said quietly enough not to be overheard. "You're Bill. My Bill. You don't act like a horny teenager with a crush."
    "More like an obsession." He locked his gaze on hers. "Maybe that should scare you."
    "You want to play, huh?" She tilted her chin a bit higher, always one to take on a dare rather than back down. "I'll call your bluff, honey baby."
    God, he hated when she did that sexy drawn out drawl with her voice. He knew she did it to torment him and it worked every damn time.
    "Oh, will you now? I don't think you've got it in