Chapter 3
Summer
Curses. If I hadn't been distracted by the man staring at me. If he hadn’t been staring at me in the first place, then I wouldn’t have lost my footing and scraped up my arm on the roof and now find myself in the cold water of the lake.
Coming to the surface I take in a big gasp of air. I’m a good swimmer. But when I feel an arm grab at me I freak out. Splashing around, I try to get away.
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Damn it. Someone has jumped in to save me. But I don’t need saving. But the more I splash the tighter his grip around my waist. Literally cutting off my air. I’m going to end up drowning because of him.
Once he has dragged us to a steel cross beam under the jetty, he lifts me up to drag me across it. Coughing up water, spluttering and cursing, I get a few big unhelpful thumps on my chest.
“Stop. What the hell...are you trying to kill me?”
“I’m saving you.”
Hanging onto the metal pole, I spin myself around.
Ridge Kingsley’s wet face is looking back at me.
Damn he is handsome. His wet shirt is clinging to his body.
He has hazel green eyes a girl could get lost in.
No wonder he is the catch of the season.
But I’m not the one who will be doing the catching.
“I don’t need saving.” I tell him. “I wouldn’t have fallen if you hadn’t been staring at me.”
It’s true. I had been so busy being determined not to look at him and that was why I had slipped and fell.
He is holding onto another pole. Just a foot away from me. Little waves splashing up against his chest and I can see his dark frown. “Or you were wanting me to see you fall so I would jump in and save you?”
My jaw drops. “What?”
“Look, I give you points for imagination, but you could have been hurt.”
“What?” I ask again.
“I did what you wanted. I couldn’t let you drown. But this ends here. I’m not interested in dating anyone right now. Got it?”
I shake my head, trying to clear the water out of my ears. I must be hearing him wrong. “You think I fell off the roof on purpose.”
He nods.
Oh my God. I knew the Kingsley men were arrogant but this takes the cake. I can’t believe I'm underneath the jetty talking to the Ridge Kingsley. But I really can’t believe we are talking about this. “Okay.” I shrug. “I agree. We won’t date each other.”
And then I push off and swim towards the shore.
When it’s shallow enough to put my feet on the ground I start walking through the water. Only to find him right there next to me.
“So no more dangerous stunts, okay?” He says as he pushes his wet hair back off his face.
We’ve reached the beach and I turn to him. “Let me assure you that I am absolutely not interested in you. I didn't fall off the roof on purpose. I didn’t ask you to jump in after me.” My voice is rising with every word. “And I don’t need saving.” I practically yell the last bit.
While I am getting angrier and angrier, I see his gaze drop from my face to my chest. The white tank top is drenched and clinging to me. My white bra just as see through.
“Damn it.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare at the guy.
He steps closer and my pulse starts to race.
“You’re hurt.” He reaches out his hand towards my forearm but doesn’t quite touch.
“I’m fine.”
He looks up at my face, concern in his beautiful hazel eyes.
His own shirt is clinging to one very well built, wild, muscular chest. I’ve already noticed the washboard abs, the fact that he has a little bit of dark hair across his chest that forms a narrow path leading down further past his belt line.
But it is those hazel eyes that really have an effect.
His brown wet curls, pushed back off his face.
A strong jawline and nose. Nice lips. All of it is devastatingly handsome.
His direct gaze watches as I lick my own lips.
And then, right in front of me, he pulls off his soaking wet t-shirt.
Taking my wrist he wraps his shirt carefully around my cut.
“We should go get this looked at.” His voice is calm and gentle. His touch makes my pulse race. His words feel like warm hands on my body.
Okay. He is attractive. But he is not for me. I don’t need some prince to rescue me. I pull my hand away from him. “It’s fine. I’ve had my tetanus shots. I’ve got bandages at my Aunt’s cafe.”
He looks out towards the Boathouse Cafe. “Ava is your Aunt? I’m surprised we haven’t met.”
He is about ten years older than me. He is a Kingsley. We don’t run in the same circles. But still, his words make me angry.
“We have met. We might not have talked but I’ve seen you around. I was at your house just last night. You’re probably just too stuck up and arrogant to notice people.”
“You were at the party last night?” And then. “It was a big party. My family does like to throw the first party of the season.”
I shrug. “I was a waitress. I take on extra jobs throughout the season.”
He looks at me for a long time. As though waiting for an answer to a question. And then he says, “Well it’s nice to meet you…”
“Summer. My name is Summer.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Summer.”
I like the way he says my name. Like he is savouring the taste of it.
We are standing close. Looking into each other’s eyes.
He is shirtless. I can’t help wondering what it would be like if he drew me to him.
To feel my body pressed up against all that hard muscle.
Our wet clothes warmed our body heat. The feel of his lips on mine. To be kissed by him.
Holy mountains. Okay. I can totally understand why so many women are chasing after this man. But I don’t want to be one of them. We are worlds apart. Nothing in common. I can not fall for Ridge Kingsley!