Bonded (The Raegan Mason Trilogy) by Cheryl Courtney Page B

am a certified life guard.” 
    Of course he was.  Maybe I should fake a cramp right now so he would come after me.
    “No, I’m okay.”  I replied.  “I’ll come in a little closer, but there isn’t any need for you to rescue me.”  I swam a little closer until I was able to touch but keep the rest of my body under the waves.
    “Raegan?” He chuckled and sent tremors through my body.  “I had no idea you were an exhibitionist.”  He crossed his arms and stared in my direction.  His smile I could see clearly in the moonlight.
    “Not exactly an exhibitionist.” I blushed, thankful he couldn’t see that.  “Just trying to relax a bit.”
    “Well that does look relaxing.  Maybe I will join you.”  He pulled off his shirt and started to unbutton his jeans.  I had already seen him in nothing but swim trunks, but the sight of his well defined musculature took my breath away, again.
    “Stop, please.” I turned around, heart pounding in my ears.  What was I saying?  I really was delusional.  Here he was stripping down to join me in a skinny dipping excursion.
    He laughed again.  “Don’t want my company?” He teased.  I turned slowly to find his jeans still on, but his shirt on the ground next to mine.   I gasped.  His body was exquisite. His low sitting jeans rested against his washboard stomach. “Raegan?  Are you okay?”  His teasing turned serious.  I was gasping for air.  He started walking into the water toward me.  The music I’d heard the other night started up too.  I was frozen in the water unsure of what to do.  Could he hear it?
    “Really, I’m okay.” I managed to say to stop him from moving closer.  The music didn’t stop, I still heard it.  It was beautiful and so close.  Kyler started talking again, but I hushed him.  “Can you hear that?” I asked him.
    “Hear what?” He asked looking up and down the beach.
    “Music.” I stated, knowing I sounded crazy.
    He froze and stared at me.  He started backing out of the water.  “Raegan, please come to shore.  I’ll turn around while you get dressed.”  Distress filled his words.  He waited by the shore until I started moving toward him.
    “Turn around.” I ordered him.  He backed out of the water and a few steps away from my clothes.  When I started moving toward the shore, the music faded away.  I was frustrated.  When the water was about waist deep, he finally turned around so I could gather my clothes and get dressed.  I picked up his shirt after I was fully dressed and told him that he could turn around now.  I tossed his shirt to him and admired his body as he pulled the shirt over his sculptured muscles.  I wiped at my face, knowing Julie’s make up had to be ruined.  Hopefully it was waterproof mascara, or I’d look like a drowned raccoon for sure.  He paused, as if on purpose to let me gawk at his perfection before hiding his magnificent body from my sight. 
    Guys my age just weren’t made like that.  I couldn’t believe he was my age.  I just shook my head in disbelief.  “So, what are you doing, stalking me?” I teased trying to avoid the awkward tension.
    “Ha, you wish.” He smirked. I was glad he really didn’t know how much I did wish that.  He cleared his throat.  “Why are you skinny dipping in the ocean so late at night, by yourself?  Where’s Army boy?”  He flashed a brilliant smile and his eyebrows waggled causing my heart to stop.
    I just stared trying to collect my thoughts.  “Jaxon just drove me home.  He wasn’t invited to join me, if it’s any of your business.”  I plopped myself down in the sand and started digging my heels in the moist sand.  I tried to focus on the crashing waves and where the music might have been coming from instead of being hyper aware of his presence.  That static electric sensation got stronger as he approached me and sat down too. 
    “Not invited? Huh.  I figured you two were…” he raised an eyebrow not