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Grey nodded. “Something like that. My dad is trying to make everyone get along.”
“Looks like it’s going well,” she teased.
“Richard is …” Grey shook his head. “He’s not in the best mood lately. He’s been dealing with a lot of shit.”
“Don’t we all,” she nodded. “Does this shit have anything to do with the company being a family affair?”
His wince was telling. “Yeah. My dad is the CEO,” Grey explained. “This is his attempt at getting everyone to get along before he retires. It’ll be a little hard to do now that we’re one man short.”
Kaia took the piece of rope from Grey’s hands. “Richarddidsay I can take his place.”
“You would step in?” Grey was shocked.
She turned back to her sister and friends. Rachel was speaking loudly, waving her hands around. Kaia recognized one of her sister’s divorce rants when she saw one. In fact, she could deliver it herself since she’d heard it so many times.
Kaia loved her sister, but she had spent all of her meager savings on this trip. Didn’t she deserve a little bit of fun?
“Why not?” she shrugged.
“May I?” Grey held out his hand with the rope.
“Yup,” she quickly said, looking away as he knelt to tie his leg to hers. Every time his fingers brushed her ankle, shivers raced up her spine. He took his time, caressing her ankle and sliding his finger between the rope and her leg. Maybe he was only ensuring the rope wasn’t too tight, or maybe ... hopefully ... he wanted his touch to linger.
“What’s this?” a loud voice boomed.
Kaia’s heart stopped before kicking up again. A man who could only be Grey’s father, the resemblance was striking, asked, “And who mightyoube?”
“Dad, this is Kaia. Kaia, this is my father, Bill.”
“Where did Richard go?” Bill asked before acknowledging her with a dismissive nod.
“Richard gave up, but this lovely lady has agreed to step in. Apparently, she is a three-legged race champion,” Greyson explained.
“Oh, no. I wouldn’t say that.” She felt herself blush deep and dark. “I was just teasing your son and somehow got roped into this.”
“Ah, yes. Flirting with my son is a dangerous thing to do.”
“Teasing, sir. I was teasing him.Notflirting.”
Bill chuckled. “Whatever you say.” He turned and made sure all the dragons were lined up on the start line and shouted, “Go!”
“Your right,” Kaia said.
“What?” Grey asked.
“Move your right foot. On three, and go. Your right,” she called out, moving her foot joined with his forward. “My right,” she moved her right foot forward. “Your right.” They moved their joined feet together. Her instructions, very much like a drill sergeant, made their joint movements easier and more fluid. They won the race, leaving the others in their dust.
Bill clapped and cheered. “Wow, that was a job well done. Those were some communication skills. What business are you in? Looking for work? If you can get along with this one long enough to win a race, I need you on my team.” Here was a man used to having conversations with himself.
“I have a job, thanks. I just told Grey what to do, and he listened. It wasn’t that hard, really. Teamwork.”
The older man threw his head back with a laugh. “Oh, you’re hilarious, young lady, just hilarious. If you knew just how many times I tried to get that young man to listen.” He shook his head. “What’s your trick?”
“And that’s enough of that,” Grey announced, removing the rope from their legs.
They were both in their swimsuits, and there was a lot of exposed skin between them. Not only could she take it all in as close as she was, but now, she knew what it felt like to feel his bare skin against her. She was not ready to forget this day.
“That was a very good strategy,” Grey admitted. “Thanks for the win.” He held out his hand for a shake.
