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His lips spread in a teasing smile. “I can’t answer that now, but I’ll let you know.”

“Bahahahaha!” She slapped the horse as she laughed, and the gelding took off in a sprint. “Aaaaaaah!” Carla screamed.

“Get up!” Jacob gave chase, catching up with Carla in a few strides. He reached for her reins and pulled them. “Whoa.” The horse slowed, then trotted to a stop.

Jacob swung his leg over and jumped down and quickly helped Carla off of the horse.

“Oh, dear God.”

“Are you okay?”

She nodded. “I am now.” She smiled up at him, and he pinched her cheek, then kissed her forehead. “Come, let’s ride the waves.”

Chapter Nineteen

“So, you’re a surfer—what else haven’t you told me?” Jacob slid an arm around Carla and drew her close. In a thin navy-blue wrap that covered her body and draped off mid-thigh, Carla slipped a hand up Jacob’s bare muscular torso. She’d barely been able to take her eyes off the ripples in his powerful physique. She wasn’t the only one either.

Every woman in the vicinity would stare at him until they saw Carla staring back at them; then, they’d smoothly turn away.

“I don’t know. I suppose if we stay together long enough, you’ll find out everything there is to know about me and vice versa.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Unless you tire of me.”

Carla popped her lips and half-rolled her eyes, pulling infectious laughter from Jacob.

“What does all that mean?”

“You know what it means.”

They were interrupted by the attendant. “Yuh boards and lifejackets, mistuh, missus.”

“Just one, for my lady.”

Carla loved the title of being Jacob’s lady. It made her warm inside and her heart jittery.

Releasing her, Jacob lifted their surfboard rentals, and side by side, they strolled down the beach to the water.

“You know I could’ve carried my board, right?”

Jacob’s brow arched. “There are times when your humor strikes me right in the gut. Then other times, like now, nothing.”

Carla giggled. “I’m not being funny right now.”

“Yes, you are.”

Waves rushed up to their feet.

“Just a second.”

Removing her navy-blue wrap, Carla tossed the thin material to the sand and turned back to reach for her board when Jacob’s gaze stroked her with his arresting inspection.

Moving down her body, to her full breasts, her round navel to her wide hips and small feet. A string of heat poured down his skin, and he cleared his throat to speak.

“Come here,” Jacob stood the boards against each other in the sand, “Let me help you with your life jacket.” His deep tone warmed Carla just a bit. “I love your bikini.”