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“Oh really?” Blake said, crossing his arms over his chest. “So I guess you don’t want me to tell you that there’s poison ivy growing through that shrub you’re hiding in?”
With a shriek, Ivy leaped from the bushes, her hands momentarily leaving their post as she panicked and then flying quickly back to cover the taut, pink tips of her breasts. Lord, he’d missed those. They’d been like juicy, ripe peaches. The memory of tasting them made his mouth start to water.
So did the tantalizing glimpse of what looked like a tattoo on Ivy’s rib cage. He hadn’t gotten a good look, but he’d seen a blur of something. Now her arms were covering the spot, leaving his curiosity piqued.
“Ugh!” she groaned, hobbling around on one of her heels with a toe that was visibly red and swelling. “I hate nature,” she howled. “I hate it!”
At that, Blake burst out laughing. He’d bitten his lip to keep it in, but it was no use. This was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever seen. All the pent-up emotions of the past six years exploded out of him in a roar of laughter that brought tears to his eyes. He doubled over, bracing his hands on his thighs.
A glimpse of her tight, indignant expression only made it worse. He wouldn’t feel bad for her. She deserved this. Lord knows someone should get a chuckle at her expense for a change.
“This is not funny!” she shouted over his laughter.
“It most certainly is,” he managed as he struggled for air. “It’s hilarious.”
“Blake Chamberlain, you stop it right now!” she demanded, but Blake could see a faint curve to her lips. She was trying not to laugh. Eventually, she cracked. She adjusted her arms to keep covered while she hid a giggle behind one hand.
He was relieved. The Ivy he’d loved could laugh at herself. Thank goodness she wasn’t so full of herself now that she didn’t see the humor in this.
Finally, the bubble of laughter died away and he wiped his eyes. She might not have appreciated it at first, but the humorous outlet had helped relieve a lot of tension between them. At the moment, they needed that. Despite what she might think, he didn’t like kicking people when they were down. He had no doubt they’d have their long-awaited argument, but he’d wait until she wasn’t at a disadvantage and take her on fair and square.
“What’s wrong with your foot?” he asked once his cheeks stopped burning.
“I got a splinter on the front porch,” Ivy said. Her lips pressed tightly together to keep in another yelp of discomfort as she tottered around. “I went around to see if the door was unlocked.”
Oh . . . this was too good. Blake tore his gaze from her bare flesh to eye the back door of the cabin. Hanging limp from the door frame was her bikini top. Only Ivy. Something like this could only happen to her.
When he’d woken up this morning, he hadn’t been sure it would be a good day, but things were looking up. “You’re locked out?” he asked.
“Yes,” she admitted through gritted teeth. “Are you going to help me or just laugh at me?”
“You said you didn’t need my help.”
“I am naked . . . locked out of my cabin . . . with a bloody toe . . . and possibly covered in poison ivy! Do I really have to ask you for help, Blake?”
“Most people, no. But I think you should have to ask.”
Ivy shook her head, steam nearly coming out of her ears. The light moment had passed. “You know what? Forget it.” She brushed past him, stumbling to the back porch and up the stairs before flinging open the screen door. She let the door slam shut behind her, marched over to the rocking chair, and sat down with her arms folded over her chest.
Blake made his way over to the bottom of the stairs. “You just gonna sit there all night?”
“You found me. Eventually someone else will, too. Hopefully someone who doesn’t get pleasure out of torturing me.”
“Oh, I can guarantee someone will find you. I intend to call everyone I know to come by and say hi. I bet folks don’t know you’re back in town yet.”
Ivy’s dark green eyes widened in fear, but she bit her tongue.
Until he turned and started down the dock. “See you later, Little Miss Rock Star.”
“Wait! You’re leaving me like this?”
Blake stopped, his back to her. His boat was only a few feet away. It was so tempting, and it would be so easy, to get into that boat and speed away. He even got all the way into the boat. Why shouldn’t he? Ivy hadn’t given any thought to his feelings. She hadn’t called him to warn him before the song came out. He’d been blindsided. Humiliated. She could use a taste of that for herself.
But before he could start the engine, he found himself grabbing two towels and walking back up the dock to the cabin. His grandma would tan his hide if he left a lady in this situation.
He climbed the steps and opened the screen door. Ivy had gotten up while he was in the boat. Now she was standing there, in those damned bikini bottoms, looking at him with the big doe eyes he could never resist. The muscles in his neck and jaw tensed as he fought the urge to reach for her and kiss the pout from her full lips. He ached for her to wrap her arms around his neck so her bare breasts would press against his chest. One tug of the string and those bikini bottoms would fall to the deck.
Because that would be so helpful to the situation. With a shake of his head, he thrust one towel at her. “For heaven’s sake, cover up.”
