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“Morning,” Jasper said, and I snapped my attention to him. I immediately pulled my legs back from Knox.
“Morning,” Knox said, completely unruffled, even as Jude and the rest of the guests joined us. “Captain says we can Jet Ski today.”
“Awesome,” Jasper said, popping a piece of pineapple into his mouth. He helped himself to a plate of food then joined us at the table.
When I stood to add some more fruit to my plate, Jude said, “Mm. You wore my favorite bikini.” And he gave me a long, blatant perusal.
I shivered. It feltwrongand not just because Knox was watching. When Jude looked at me, I felt as if he were appraising something he wanted to acquire. But when Knox looked at me, I felt valued, cherished.
I glanced at Knox, and his jaw was tight. I had a feeling it was going to be a long day.
After breakfast, the steward asked if anyone wanted to Jet Ski.
“Pass,” Graham said.
“You’re so boring.” Jasper rolled his eyes then stood. “I’m in.”
“Me too,” Jude said, and a group of us proceeded down to the back deck where the Jet Skis were docked and waiting.
Everyone else paired off—two per Jet Ski. Then Jude climbed on one and held out his hand for me. “Come on, gorgeous.”
“I, um—” I got the odd sense that he was trying to recreate our time together.
“You can ride with me if you’d prefer,” Knox said.
Jude furrowed his brow. “Why would she ride with you? You’re her boss. And my dad. That’s just…” He shuddered. “Weird.”
If you think that’s weird, just wait,I thought. Because I was doing a hell of a lot more than riding with his dad on a Jet Ski. I was ridinghim.
“You know what?” Knox asked. “I’ll stay here. Kendall, you can have this Jet Ski. You guys have fun.”
“There,” I said, smiling. “Thanks, Knox.”
“What?” Jude barked out a laugh. “You hate driving the Jet Ski.”
It was a fact. But I also didn’t want to ride with Jude, my legs pressed against his. My heat against his back.
“Let’sgo!” Jasper called, his tone bleeding with impatience.
“Kendall?” Jude said, expectant. “Come on.”
“I, uh—” I rocked on my feet, glancing at Knox.
What the heck was I supposed to do? Everyone knew I hated driving the Jet Ski. But for all the times Knox had encouraged me to use my voice, I seemed to have lost it in that moment.
“Maybe I’ll just, uh—” I hooked my thumb toward the boat, even though I’d been looking forward to it.
“Nah. Come on.” Jude grabbed my wrist, tugging me toward him and nearly into the water. “It’ll be fun. Promise.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but I forced a smile and climbed on behind him.
“Just like old times.” He grinned at me over his shoulder.
I pretended not to hear him over the motor. He sped off from the yacht, the wind whipping through my hair as the Jet Ski flew through the water. I wanted to look back to see if Knox was watching, but I didn’t dare.
Instead, I tried to relax. I tried to focus on the warmth of the sunshine and the shoreline.
“Race you!” Jasper called.
