Lori Wilde - Smooth Sailing

She was both shaken and stirred.

HALEY STALKED OFF with a purposeful bounce, her honey-colored hair flowing around her shoulders, those blue scrubs stretching across her sexy rump as she marched away.

Jeb grinned, put a palm to the nape of his neck and licked his lips. Wow, you can park that swing in my backyard anytime . He tilted his head, honed in on her narrow waist and curvy hips.

His pulse pounded and his body stiffened. In spite of the cool ocean breeze swaying the palm trees, a simmering heat moved through him. He chuffed out a breath, struggling to regain his equilibrium. Truth was, he really would miss her. He enjoyed their sparring matches. She was sassy and saucy and didn’t take anything off anyone.

The last person who’d challenged him that same way was his ex-girlfriend, Jackie Birchard. Out of the dozens of girlfriends he’d had, Jackie was the only one to dump him. It made her stand out in the crowd. The one woman he couldn’t charm.

That was, until he met Haley. Too bad they’d never hooked up, although they’d come pretty damn close.

Jeb smiled, remembering. He could have gotten her into bed if he’d wanted. When they’d made out on the beach at sunset a few months back, sparks had ignited unlike anything he’d ever felt before, and that was saying something. Haley had wanted him as much as he’d wanted her, maybe even more so, although chances were good that she would never admit it.

But, surprise, surprise, he’d been the one to put a stop to things before they’d completely lost control.

He’d stopped for two reasons. One, he knew Haley would have regretted it the morning after. She was such a stickler for protocol, held herself and others to high standards. Two, he’d been trying to prove to Jackie that she was wrong about him. He wasn’t a self-absorbed playboy with no depth of character. He could restrain himself.

No matter how difficult it had been to break that kiss and send Haley home with their desires unfulfilled.

Ah, well, you couldn’t win them all, right? It was time to move on. His work on St. Michael’s was done. He’d achieved what he’d set out to achieve. He’d helped rebuild the island. He could return home with his head held high.

“About that interview, Mr. Whitcomb,” said the blond reporter with a smile that sparkled like prisms.

Matching her smile, Jeb turned and led her away, but he couldn’t resist one last glance over his shoulder at Haley.

She paused and looked back.

Their eyes met.

Gotcha! Protest all you want, sweetheart—you do want me . Boldly, he winked.

Her cheeks reddened and her eyes narrowed in a scowl. She ducked her head and flounced from his view, leaving Jeb sorely regretting the night that they’d never had.

HALEY LAY STRETCHED OUT on her twin bed in the one-bedroom bungalow she shared with Ahmaya. She was eating Oreos, twisting the cookies apart and scraping the white filling off with her front teeth before gobbling up the dark cookies. Oreos were her go-to comfort treats when she was stressed or frustrated, and yes, she knew the drawbacks of de-stressing with a sugar fix, but when she was feeling like this, she didn’t care.

The quarters were basic and cramped, but a long sight better than the tent they’d lived in after Hurricane Sylvia. She was trying not to think about Jeb, but he kept popping into her head at the most unwanted times.

Why?

Yes, he was wealthy, handsome and self-confident, but he was also full of himself and far too free with his affections. Imagine! He’d called her baby and took the pins out of her hair, and she’d just stood there and let him. Unexpected goose bumps lifted on her arms and she hugged herself.

Ahmaya stood in front of the mirrored closet door, examining her reflection as she got ready for the party. “What do you think about this skirt?”

“The hem is too short.”

“Perfect,” Ahmaya purred.

“You’re going to wear it anyway?”

“I am. If you think it’s too short that means it’s exactly the right length.”

Haley sat up. “You’re saying I’m a prude?”

“Uh-huh, kinda.” Ahmaya ran her fingers through her straight, glossy black hair.

“I’m not a prude,” she argued against the heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Was she? She didn’t mean to be; it was just that she had certain principles and she wasn’t going to compromise.

“Prove it.”

“What?”

“Prove you’re not a prude.”

“I don’t have to prove anything.”

“You don’t curse.”

“So what?”

“Prudes don’t curse.”

“I believe in having a wide vocabulary. Is that so wrong?”

“Prudish.”

“What?” She raised her arms. “I should go around swearing like a sailor to prove I’m not prudish? Okay, then.” Haley let loose with a few descriptive curse words.

Ahmaya looked surprised. “I had no idea you knew those words.”

“I’m a nurse. I’ve heard a lot worse than that. It’s just that cursing seems so crude and uncivilized.”

“Sometimes—” Ahmaya grinned “—it’s fun to be uncivilized.”

“If you say so.”

“Prude.”

“Are we back to that?”

“It’s the truth of your being.”

“I don’t think prude is the right word. Prudent , if you wish, but not prudish .”

“Hmm.” Ahmaya stepped into a pair of mile-high stilettos. “Prove it.”

“I just did.”

“Not by cursing, by coming with me to Jeb’s party. I need a wing woman.”

“You don’t need a wing woman.”

“Everyone needs a wing woman.”

“Call Jessie. I’m sure she’d go.”

“She’s stuck working second shift.”

“Ahmaya, I don’t want to go.”

“But you’re the one with a car.”

“It’s only a half mile. You can ride your bike.”

“In this?” Ahmaya swept a dramatic hand at her sexy outfit. She had a point. Jimmy Choo didn’t pedal well. Her friend dropped on her knees in front of Haley, pressed her palms together. “Please, please, please. I’ll do the crash-cart checks for you all month.”

Haley sighed. “You know parties aren’t my thing.”

“Seriously, it’s great that you’re all into altruistic causes and saving people and everything, but you can’t work or think about work 24/7. You need to lighten up. Let your hair down.”

That remark had Haley remembering how Jeb had pulled the bobby pins from her hair. She suppressed a shiver. He’d kept her bobby pins. It would serve him right if she went to his party and demanded the return of her bobby pins.

“You are the dullest twenty-seven-year-old I know.” Ahmaya pouted.

Ouch! That hurt.

Haley considered self-discipline her strong suit, not a flaw. It was what had gotten her through nursing school with a 4.0 grade-point average. An accomplishment she was very proud of.

“One little bitty party isn’t going to kill you. Everyone is going to be there. Look at it as a networking opportunity.” Ahmaya batted her long, dark lashes. “Pretty please?”

“Oh, all right, but I’m only staying for one drink and then I’m out of there.”

“You’ll drink really slowly, right?”

“An hour. I’ll stay an hour. If you’re ready to go in an hour, you can leave with me. If you’re not, then you’ll have to find your own way home.”

Ahmaya’s face dissolved into a happy smile and she extended her hand. “Deal.”

Huffing out a sigh, Haley shook her hand.

“Now,” Ahmaya said, “we have to find you something sexy to wear.”

“No, we don’t. Jeans and a T-shirt will do just fine.”

Ahmaya looked aghast. “Shut your mouth. This is a par- tay . You’re not going looking like a schlub.”