Swept Away. Kristina Mathews

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      “You’re bummed we didn’t get a chance to fish.” Carson couldn’t help but get in one more jab. “I kind of thought it was worth it.”

      “That’s what I’m trying to say, asshole.” Cody raised his voice, acting like a spoiled child. “I never hung on to a woman because I never met a woman worth hanging on to.”

      “Until Lily.” Carson sighed.

      “Lily’s not like any woman I ever met.” Cody sounded like he actually meant it. “She’s like coming home. Just not any home we ever knew.”

      “What are you, Tom Hanks?” Carson quipped. “No, that’s right, you’ve never sat through a chick flick for a woman.”

      “What are you talking about?” Cody sounded beyond irritated.

      “So you really feel something for her?” Carson said, all teasing gone from his voice.

      “Yeah.” Cody leaned back into the seat. “I just wish the hell I knew what to do about it. I mean if it’s just sex, that’s easy. But maybe I want something more.”

      “Really?” Carson was skeptical. He knew Cody all too well. “Since when?”

      “Since I realized it’s time for us to grow up,” Cody grumbled. “I can’t take another summer doing the same old thing.”

      “The same old thing, as in a different woman every weekend?” Carson wasn’t going to make this easy on him. “You’re ready to try something different? The same woman every night?”

      “If Lily’s that woman, you bet.”

      “Nah, I don’t like to take bets with you. You tend to get stupid lucky.”

      “So that’s it, you’re just going to step aside?” Cody sounded skeptical. “I don’t think so. I think we both take our best shots. Let Lily decide who she wants.”

      “What if she doesn’t pick either of us?” That would be the best thing. For everyone.

      Chapter 3

      Lily slept in until seven-thirty—late for her. As tempting as it was to stay in bed all day, her mind was racing. Yesterday’s events replayed in her mind and her dreams. The river. The river guides. The sensation of being swept away both by the water and the emotions of being caught up in their world. Surely it was the added excitement of being rescued that made them seem much more attractive than they really were.

      After a cup of coffee and another dose of Advil, Lily booted up her laptop, thankful to have internet in such an out-of-the-way place. She quickly found the website to Swift River Adventure Company and Resort. The home page showed a picture of the twins, smiling at her as if they knew what she looked like naked. So maybe they did. Mostly. But they also appeared as if pulling half-naked women out of the raging river was something they did every day.

      She browsed the website, paying special attention to safety information. Impressive. All of their guides were experienced and well trained. Most had been trained in CPR, first aid, and several of them—including the twins—were certified in swift water rescue techniques.

      Lily had nothing to worry about. It would be as safe as driving down the highway. Or hiking one of the nearby trails. If she’d wanted to stay holed up in her house with bars on the windows, she could have kept her house in Sacramento. If she was going to live here, she couldn’t be afraid to walk out her front door. Especially since the river was right there, just a few steps away.

      No, she would brave the river with the Swift brothers as her guides, and then she’d get on with her life. It wasn’t like meeting them was a life-altering experience. Life saving, maybe, but not life changing. She knew better than to fall for that kind of fantasy.

      She printed the list of items she would need for a day trip down the river. In a boat this time. They would provide the raft, a life jacket, and their expertise in guiding her down ten miles of rapids. She hoped their store would supply her with the few items she’d need to bring with her—a bathing suit chief among them.

      Lily grabbed her purse, keys, and a spare pair of sunglasses. Now was as good a time as any to face the river. And the two men who’d pulled her from its chilling grasp.

      Lily turned off the main road into quite possibly the most beautiful setting she’d ever seen. The morning sun filtered through numerous pine, oak, and cottonwood trees. Blackberry brambles tangled around a rock building that looked like it had been there since the gold rush.

      “Welcome to Swift River.” A cheerful young man stepped out of the information booth. Part surfer, part mountain man, he had longish sun-bleached hair and a scruffy looking copper-colored beard. “What’s your pleasure? Are you here to get wet or get dirty?”

      “Pardon me?” Was he flirting with her? She’d gone years without being noticed by the male population, least of all her ex-husband. Now she seemed to have a neon sign above her head advertising her newly single status. And the last thing she needed was another man distracting her.

      “Are you here for rafting or camping?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye that made Lily think those weren’t her only options.

      “Actually I’d like to just look around, if that’s okay?” Now that she was here, Lily wasn’t sure if she could go through with it.

      “You can do anything you want.” His tone was suggestive. Somewhat flattering, even. “If you decide to stay, come on back and I’ll fix you up.”

      “I bet you will.” Lily laughed, feeling about ten years younger. She took the map he offered and drove slowly into the compound. She peered through the trees at the small cabins and tent sites cleverly tucked away so that each spot was its own oasis. Even the RV sites were hidden from each other, offering privacy and a feeling of being someplace special.

      Picnic tables dotted the edges of a large meadow, the perfect spot for lunching on a lazy afternoon. Horseshoe pits and a volleyball court provided recreation for those seeking a more active distraction. Log benches surrounded a fire pit and a granite slab looked like it could serve as a stage. Or an altar for small, intimate outdoor weddings. Not that she was ever going to walk down that aisle again. She’d learned her lesson—happily-ever-after didn’t exist.

      She parked behind the large log building that housed the main office. A wide porch lined with benches overlooking the river looked like the perfect spot to sip a cold drink and chat with friends old and new. Guests could mingle on the porch or duck into the store for last minute supplies.

      Lily stepped inside, bells tinkling overhead as she opened the door. Coolers along the back wall displayed soda, sports drinks, beer, and wine. One whole section contained locally produced juice and fresh fruit. There were packages of deli meats and a variety of cheeses for picnics. They also sold four different kinds of trail mix, including a nut and gluten free mix for those with allergies.

      She found displays of T-shirts, bathing suits, sunglasses, and hats. Not to mention sunglass straps and those funky sandals the twins wore. Sunscreen, first aid supplies, and… Oh my, condoms were also available for purchase.

      Thumbing through the racks of bathing suits, Lily looked for a replacement for the one she’d lost. Could she be bold enough to try on a brightly colored string bikini? What the hell? New СКАЧАТЬ