Page 44 of The Golden Scoop

“Here,” he says, placing his hands on top of mine and guiding them upwards.

“How many movies did you have to watch to learn this?” I tease, trying to ease the tension between us. I look back, his lips turned into a smirk.

He leans down excruciatingly close.

“None. I’m not performing,” he whispers, his breath against my ear. “You’re steering my life right now. I’d like to survive this.”

A laugh bubbles up, out of pure nerves, and I turn back to hide the imminent flushing on my cheeks.

“You’re very intense about this.”

“I like things that require attention.”

I don’t know what that says about the way he’s been looking at me.

He drops the anchor when we’re miles away from shore. Too far to turn back easily. Noted.

“Why here?” I ask, wondering what’s so special about being in the middle of the ocean.

“Because no one can interrupt us.”

That shouldn’t sound as loaded as it does. I lean over the railing to look at the water beneath us.

“I wonder how much deeper it is than it looks.”

“Everything is,” Matt says, messing with a rope beside me. I snort.

“Did you rehearse that?”

“Maybe,” he says, turning to look at me like he’s waiting to see if I’ll call him out.

The line flies as soon as he lets go, swinging straight toward me. I duck and take a step back. My back hits the railing fast. I lose my balance. Before I know it, I’m going overboard headfirst into the cool water.

I surface a few seconds later, hair sticking to my face, but I can see enough to watch Matt dive in after me without hesitation. He grabs my arms and starts treading water, holding us both up like I’m a damsel in distress and he’s my Prince Charming.

Laughter bubbles up in my chest at the absurdity of the situation. I try to keep it in, but the concerned frown on his face is too much for me.

“I know how to swim, Matthew.” I chuckle. “You didn’t need to jump in and save me.”

“I didn’t know if you were hurt,” he says, fussing over me.

His jaw is tight, and for another second he doesn’t let go.

“I’m okay,” I reassure him, my voice softer this time. He’s truly concerned. “I promise.”

His eyes search mine, double-checking I’m not putting on a brave face to get him off my back, and something in my chest shifts in a way I don’t appreciate. Neither of us move for a beat. It’s… different. Not a joke anymore. No act, no performance. Just him caring for me in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time.

We climb back up, clothes sticking to my body. Matt must’ve taken his shirt off before he went in because his chest is on full display as he gets on the steps after me. It’s been too long since I’ve been this close to a man with so little on and my body notices.

The breeze is cold and there’s no way my clothes are drying anytime soon with me wearing them. Luckily, I wore my bikini underneath, although the small pieces of red material don’t cover much. I’ve never been shy about it, and I won’t start now.

I peel off my T-shirt and lay it out in the sun. Then I do the same with my shorts. Matt’s standing in front of me, his eyes following my every move. When I meet them, his cheeks flush and he quickly turns away.

“I’ll, uh—I’ll go get us towels.”

I hadn’t realized I could get that reaction out of him and it’s surprisingly nice. Dangerous, but nice.

“You’ve seen women in bikinis before,” I tease, as he lifts the seating of the bench and takes out two blue towels.