Page 75 of Haze of Obedience

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Zoe

"Don't speakwhen we go in," Dirk instructs. "I don't want anyone to recognize your voice."

"Should I stay in the car?"

"No. I'm not letting you out of my sight."

Flutters erupt.

Don't get excited. He's just protecting you.

We get out of the car, and he puts his arm around me and guides me into the store. I look around while the owner and Dirk look at the kayaks and lifejackets. I select a pair of women's sunglasses, a black hat with Punta Gorda embroidered in hot pink, a bathing suit for Dirk, and a sunscreen bottle. I take it all to the counter.

Dirk pays for the items and changes in the store. He and the owner carry the kayak to the edge of the shore. I take the oars. Once the vessel is in the water, they shake hands, and the owner leaves.

"Take your shirt off and turn around," Dirk says.

"Why?"

He shakes the sunscreen bottle.

"Oh. Thanks."

He spends several minutes rubbing the lotion into my back, slides his hands to the front of my body, and puts it on my stomach and chest. He murmurs in my ear, "You want me to get your legs?"

Yes.

"I'll get it. Thanks." I put it on my legs then pour more into my hands. "Take your shirt off."

His lips twitch, and he takes one hand and pulls the back of his shirt.

Looking at him never gets old.

I step forward and take my time on his pecs and six-pack before rotating to his shoulders and then arms.

When I'm done, I tap his ass twice. "You're all set."

He holds out a lifejacket for me to slip into and helps me in the kayak. After he pushes us out, he gets in behind me.

The blue water sparkles and the sky is clear. We paddle past the part where the waves break and fall into a rhythm.

I breathe in the salt air. I don't remember when I was on the ocean last. "Gorgeous day."

"Sure is. Way better than driving in a car."

"You probably do outdoorsy stuff like this all the time, don't you?"

"Yep. Don't you?"

"I would, but I never had a lot of free time. And then when I switched managers...well..." I dig my oar deeper into the water.

"I should corrupt you and introduce you to all my crazy activities."

"What kind of things do you do?"

"I'll try anything once, but I love mountain climbing. It's part of the reason I bought in Spain."