Going Overboard by Vicki Lewis Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

a little moist.
    “Damn, we’re so spread out. I wish you two lived out here.”
    Bowie leaned back in his chair. “I could deal with living like this.”
    “I guess Chance can’t,” Andi said. “Is he still hunched over his laptop in there?”
    “Sad but true,” Bowie said.
    Andi took another sip of her cold beer. “I can’t imagine how he can stay inside, working on that stupid laptop when it’s so gorgeous out here.”
    “To be honest, I didn’t think he would, either. He used to love to fish,” Bowie said. “It’s almost as if he’s deliberately avoiding being around us.”
    “That’s weird.”
    “Yeah.” Nicole gave Andi a speculative look. “Unless…”
    “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “That red suit is dynamite on you.”
    “You’re changing the subject.”
    “No, I’m not. You put that suit on while the guys were out staking the boat to the sand, remember?”
    “Well, duh. It was the obvious chance to get naked without embarrassing anyone, so I grabbed it. We’re not exactly loaded with privacy around here, in case you hadn’t noticed. You’d think they’d put a few more doors on this thing.”
    “Yeah, I noticed. I also noticed Chance’s reaction when you appeared in that swimsuit. The guy was salivating.”
    “He was?” Bowie said. “Hey, cool.”
    “I don’t believe you,” Andi said as a flush crept over her skin.
    “Look at the facts,” Nicole said. “It was right after you came out in the suit that he made some excuse about not feeling like a swim and went inside to work on those reports that suddenly became so important.”
    “They probably were really important, as far as he was concerned. The guy’s driven,” Andi said, but excitement stirred in her.
    “I like the looks of this situation,” Bowie said. “Day one, and we already have progress.”
    F EROCIOUS HUNGER PANGS and the aroma of grilling steak proved irresistible to Chance, and he stood and stretched, sniffing appreciatively. Switching off the laptop, he leaned down to peer outside. The sun glowed from behind a bankof clouds stretched across the horizon. A spectacular western sunset could be in the offing.
    A sunset and a steak fry on the beach…with Andi. Now that he wasn’t concentrating on his reports, he could hear laughter and a tape of some tropical-sounding music. He sighed. For the first time in years he had no idea what he was supposed to do. Oh, he knew very well what he wanted to do—become much better friends with the beauty in the red swimsuit. Yet despite his bachelor status, he didn’t feel the least bit free. Jefferson Sporting Goods claimed his first loyalty, and the company was a jealous mistress.
    Sometimes he could almost hear his father’s voice. The stockholders expect us to show a profit and still maintain stability, son. Take risks, but not foolish risks. Watch out for Bowie. He doesn’t understand the difference. There had been a heady joy in being the chosen one, the heir to the throne, but there was also a weight that seemed to get heavier every day. He’d never thought the day would come when he’d feel twinges of envy when he looked at Bowie’s situation. He’d been wrong.
    Watch out for Bowie. And although his father had never met Andi, no doubt he would have warned Chance to watch out for her, too. Still, he couldn’t hold himself aloof for an entire week on this houseboat, just to avoid becoming involved with Andi. That would be boorish and rude. And he’d also starve to death.
    He walked out the front sliding door and glanced at the beach. They’d taken four deck chairs down to the sand, and the empty fourth chair touched him. This afternoon they’d left him alone to do his work, but they obviously hoped he’d show up for dinner. He was so used to people wanting his company because of his position with Jefferson Sporting Goods that it was a revelation knowingsomeone wanted to spend time with him because they liked him.
    They had the