Skinbound Read Online Free PDF Page A

around the dock. “What am I doing here?” Her eyes widened at Liz.
    “It’s okay.” Liz smiled. “We’re going to have a great time.”
    Darcy pressed her hand to her chest. “I think I’m having a heart attack,” she breathed.
    Liz waved her arms at the truck. “Well, it’s a good thing Cabin’s a doctor.”
    The truck circled, then backed the trailer onto the ramp. Richard hopped from the passenger’s side, waved to Liz, and jogged to the boat. The head of an enormous, red Irish setter replaced his in the passenger window. Richard unhooked the straps and climbed into the boat, motioning the truck back until the wheels of the trailer were submerged in water.
    Cabin jumped from the cab, followed by the dog. He lifted his arm toward the pier in a wave as he hurried toward the water. The men’s laughter carried to the pier when the dog leaped aboard with Richard as they guided the vessel fully into the lake.
    Holding a thumbs-up in the women’s direction, Cabin hopped into the cab and accelerated, pulling the trailer from the ramp.
    Richard motored to the dock with the dog sitting beside him, its tongue and tail wagging.
    “Hey, handsome,” Liz called as he approached.
    “Hey, yourself,” he said. The dog whined, then leapt from the boat to the pier. Richard secured the vessel before stepping onto the platform.
    Liz took his hand, and he kissed her lips.
    Darcy drummed on the pier, calling the dog over to where she sat. It ran to her full force, knocking her back, licking her face while she giggled.
    “Lucy, I see you’ve made a friend.”
    Darcy’s breath caught as Cabin’s voice smoothed over her like water over the red shoreline.
    ****
    With just one look, Cabin felt as though he were adulterating the memory of his deceased wife. He tried desperately to keep his eyes on Lucy, not on the swell of Darcy’s breasts peeking from the unfurling cover-up as she wrestled the dog.
    As if reading his mind, she stood and adjusted her clothing, turning from him to tighten the straps of her purple bathing suit before cinching the cover-up. Lucy gazed at her, tail wagging.
    “Good to see you again.” Cabin extended his hand, wondering when to make his rehearsed excuse—the excuse Richard obviously hadn’t passed along to Liz. Darcy took his hand, and he looked into her eyes, certain they were the most beautiful he’d ever seen.
    “Is she yours?” Darcy slid her fingers from his, petting the dog.
    “Yes. This is Lucy, as in, ‘Lucille Ball.’ The red hair, you know.” He joined her in stroking the dog’s shiny coat.
    “She’s beautiful.”
    He gazed at Darcy, bathed in morning sunshine, her hair golden. Water rippled in gentle waves behind her. “Yes. She is.”
    Darcy blushed, then smiled, stealing the sun’s glory. “I’m glad you came. Both of you.”
    The excuse to leave fled his mind, and he heard himself say, “So am I.”
    ****
    Liz handed Darcy the key. She unlocked the small building, then rolled out the barbeque grill as Cabin and Richard hauled ice chests from the truck and placed them on the picnic table. In less than an hour, Lucy sniffed the air and whimpered, awaiting her hamburger as the men turned the sizzling meat.
    “So, are you having fun?” Liz whispered over the condiments, rolling a soda can across her sweat-beaded brow before popping the top.
    “I’m having a great time. I enjoyed boating around the lake all morning.” She glanced at Cabin, his aqua eyes focused on the glowing coals.
    “You two have something. A weird chemistry thing, going on,” Liz said, following Darcy’s gaze. “It’s cute.”
    Darcy’s sun warmed cheeks grew hot. “Cute is good.”
    The men brought the food to the table.
    “Let’s eat,” Richard said, already plopping a burger onto a bun while shooing away a hovering fly.
    Cabin dangled a hamburger patty into the air, coaxing Lucy onto her hind legs before releasing it into her strong jaws.
    Darcy smiled as she watched, her heart