Bad Karma Read Online Free PDF Page B

toward the water. “If we stay near the shore line, the sand is more packed, but it still has some resilience.”
    They began walking close to the water line. Waves lapped at the shore and frizzled out in the soft sand.
    A grin played around her mouth as the water frothed over her feet. “Oh, my! Is that a real sand dollar?”
    Zach smiled down at her. “It’s your lucky day.” He picked it up and placed it in her palm.
    Sky straightened her shoulders and lifted her head. “I need a lucky day.”
    He allowed her to set the pace, glancing down from time to time to see her smiling.
    The streaks of salmon and gold faded as the sky overhead turned to an azure blue almost as intense as the color of Skyler’s eyes.
    They walked for some time until Sky reached out to Zach, stopping him with her hand on his arm. “I need to rest. I’m having a foot drop now.”
    Zach slipped off his faded cotton shirt and spread it on the sand. “Let’s sit here.” He held out his hand and helped her lower herself and then knelt beside her.
    She looked up at him with her incredible blue eyes. “Thanks, Zach...for everything.” She looked around and took a deep breath.
    He felt a squeezing in his chest as the breeze picked up a strand of her hair and blew it across her face. She blinked as, by reflex he reached out to brush the strand away. The slight tinge of color in her cheeks again. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a woman blush. Clearing his throat, he struggled with the urge to stroke her silky mane again.
    “ I brought some sunscreen. You’ll need it soon.” He reached into the pocket of his shorts and brought out a tube of number seventy-five SPF. He squirted a little in his palm and handed her the tube. “I’ll get your back.”
    She nodded and turned away from him, pulling her hair over her shoulder.
    Zach rubbed his palms together to warm the lotion, hesitating before stroking his fingers across her skin. He shook his head . I knew this was a mistake. Her soft, smooth flesh elicited a desire to touch more of her. He carefully worked the sunscreen over her shoulders and around the edges of the scooped back of her suit. Swallowing, he lifted her hair and grazed the back of her neck with the waterproof protective cream.
    “ Thanks,” she whispered. Zach’s touch seemed to be affecting her as well.
    He smiled at that, watching as she studiously bent her head to apply the sunscreen to her legs and arms.
    “ See that shrimp boat? That’s my friend Mack. He’s a local character, but he has a heart as big as the ocean.”
    She followed in the direction he was pointing. “You know everyone around here?”
    “ Most of the locals. I’ve lived here all my life.”
    “ And you never thought about leaving?” She gazed up at him curiously.
    He shrugged. “I left when I got my education. But I’m a water dog. I have to be in the water somewhere.”
    “ And you have your research project.” She smiled up at him, her perfect white teeth and dimples complimenting the full pink lips.
    He didn’t like the way she made him feel. Some visceral sensation clutched at his chest every time their eyes met. He tried to stem the tide of emotions welling up inside him.
    It’s because she’s been injured . He swallowed hard. And because she’s beautiful . He glanced out over the water, then back at her. And because she has that shy, wrapped too tight thing going for her.
    The sun sparkled on the water, sending little glints echoing off its still surface.
    Skyler wrapped her arms around her knees and stared out at the horizon. “Your friend, Mack, has some company.” Several bay boats chugged across the glassy plane of the Laguna Madre.
    He nodded. Sitting this close to her made him want to touch her, to stroke his fingertips over her smooth skin. He cleared his throat. “Want to go in for a swim?”
    She flashed a grin at him. “Yes, but I’m not the best swimmer.”
    “ Then this is a good time to test the water.