The Wedding Adventure. Melissa Mcclone

of getting in the water, she was going to end up in Cade’s arms. It would be like the scene in Gone with the Wind when Rhett carried Scarlett up the stairs. Yes, a brilliant idea. Her first of many during the next fourteen days.

      As Cade grabbed her backpack, she rose. Anticipation filled her. His hands clasped around her waist. A bevy of butterflies attacked her stomach. She waited for him to lift her into his arms. He slung her over his left shoulder like a Prada bag instead.

      Staring at the water, she pushed herself up his back. “What—”

      “You’re not as light as you look.” His hand clamped on the back of her thigh. “Stop wiggling or I’m going to drop you.”

      She didn’t move a muscle; she didn’t blink. She couldn’t. The heat from his hands radiated through the fabric of her capris. Hot. Burning. Okay, so this wasn’t the romantic scene she’d envisioned, but talk about a turn-on.

      This was not a good thing. In fact, it was a very bad thing. She wanted to feel comfortable with Cade, chummy and cuddly like she had with Travis. Not all hot and bothered wondering if Cade would move his hand up a couple more inches. The goal was for him to get lost in her, not the other way around. She wasn’t going to repeat her parents’ mistake.

      He dropped her unceremoniously on the sand. “Next time, you’re getting wet.”

      No next time. No water. No touching.

      Cade handed her the backpack. “Thanks,” she said.

      No “you’re welcome” or “not a problem.” Simply nothing. She didn’t understand. Most men wanted her gratitude.

      The horn from the boat sliced through the silence. Henry waved. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Have fun tonight.”

      Cynthia blew him a kiss and waved. She turned and faced a tense-looking Cade. Maybe he was jealous of Henry. She didn’t want to start out on the wrong foot. Not when she wanted Cade to like her. “Want a kiss, too?”

      “Only if it’s chocolate.”

      Now he was talking. She moistened her lips. “Those are my second favorite kind.”