Shadowed Rubies: A suspenseful and addictive small-town contemporary romance featuring a doctor and a firefighter (Brunswick Bay Harbor Gems Book 4) by Ann Omasta

Author:Ann Omasta [Omasta, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-09T16:00:00+00:00

24

Dani

We were sitting in Max’s pickup truck parked beside Smuggler’s Cove Beach. The shoreline was deserted because everyone else had enough sense to avoid the waterfront when the frigid wind was whipping in from the ocean.

“A couple of light chuckles does not mean I enjoyed that silly movie,” I whined, trying to back out on my end of the deal.

“Light chuckles?” Max almost yelled with amusement lighting up his chiseled features. “You practically peed down your leg.”

“I did not,” I grouched, even though I was well aware that I had guffawed with laughter over Elle’s silly antics a couple of times. Although the movie was a bit cheesy, it had surprised me how much I’d honestly enjoyed watching it––enough that I’d forgotten to pretend not to like it. Of course, being snuggled up under a blanket with Max while we watched it had been a significant added benefit.

“This really isn’t fair. Doing a polar plunge will cause significant physiological changes in my body, called the cold shock response. My blood vessels will constrict, I’ll gasp for air, my heart rate will quicken, and I’ll start shivering. If I’d won the bet, all you had to do was walk through the middle of town carrying Bruiser in a bedazzled purse. There was no risk of physical harm to you.”

“Those were the terms you agreed to,” Max reminded me before trying to appease my concerns by adding, “You don’t have to go completely under.”

Although it wasn’t what we had discussed, I was happy to accept his modification to the rules. After darting a hopeful gaze in his direction, I said, “Really? Thank you!”

Leaning in, I pressed a kiss to his scruffy cheek. If I hadn’t known better, I would think his skin turned red from my brief touch. Since I was well aware that he was a smooth-operating ladies’ man, I convinced myself that it must have been my imagination.

“How about if I just stick my bare feet in?” I asked hopefully.

“Oh, no.” He crossed his arms stubbornly, obviously unwilling to let me take advantage of his leniency. “I’m thinking you need to dip down at least to your shoulders.”

“My shoulders!” I practically screeched before adding, “But it will be so cold on my belly.”

What I was really concerned about was how hard my nipples would be when the water touched my chest. I was wearing an oversized tee shirt and sweatpants of Dean’s, so no bra in the world would be able to conceal my nips standing at attention beneath the thin outer layer of protection.

I had assumed that I wouldn’t like that blasted movie at all, so I hadn’t thought through the repercussions of losing my bet with Max. It had seemed like harmless fun at the time, but now that Max was gazing at me like I might be his next meal, I was regretting my rash decision to accept his dare.

Not sounding in the least bit sincerely apologetic, Max said, “Sorry, but I’ve always been a boob man. You have to at least get your chest wet.

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