Slow Burn: A Colorado High Country Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

pecs did, in fact, come with a six-pack, distinct ridges of muscle bisected by a happy trail of dark curls. Then again, all three of the men on this boat were ripped. The last time she’d seen this many six-packs in one place, she’d been at a liquor store. Not that she cared. She’d made herself a promise. Besides, she was over men.
    Sexy is as sexy does.
    Eric walked over to her, dripping wet, each step he took in her direction making her pulse pick up. “It’s your turn, city girl.”
    “My turn?” She shook her head. “I don’t know how to wakeboard.”
    He pinned her with his gaze. “You’re a virgin.”
    “What did you all do when you went boating on Lake Michigan?” Austin asked. “Did you just sit in the boat?”
    Lexi answered, which was good because Vic hadn’t recovered from hearing Eric call her a virgin. “Vic’s brother, James, steered the boat, while she and I drank margaritas and watched guys.”
    Austin laughed. “So that’s what passes for recreation in Chicago.”
    Eric’s gaze was still fixed on Vic as if it were just the two of them and the other conversation weren’t happening. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll teach you.”
    He was messing with her now, his words and tone of voice deliberately sexual. And, damn it, it was working, because she couldn’t think of a single witty response, blood pulsing way too fast through her veins.
    She got to her feet. “I’m not afraid.”
    That wasn’t entirely true, but she wasn’t about to admit it.
    “You’re going to love it,” Sasha assured her. “It’s no more complicated than learning to ride a bike.”
    Vic hoped that was true, though she seemed to remember that learning to ride a bike hadn’t been all that easy.
    “You won’t need this.” Eric took her cell phone, handing her a floatation vest instead. He checked it when she was done putting it on, then set her up with Sasha’s boots and board, tightening the laces for her, all the while explaining to her how to get up on the wakeboard. “Are you ready to try it?”
    “I think so.” Handle gripped in both hands, Vic dropped butt first into the water the way the others had done, the breath leaving her lungs in a shriek. “It’s cold!”
    Eric chuckled. “This water was snow a few weeks ago.”
    And she’d thought Lake Michigan was chilly.
    He sat down on the swim platform, his blue eyes focused on her with an intensity that made it hard to think. “Remember to keep your knees bent and relaxed. Let the boat do the work. Don’t try to stand up or pull back against the boat, or you’ll fall. If you do fall, no problem. We just stop and start over. Let’s do a few practice tries.”
    Holding fast to the cable, he pushed the wakeboard away from the boat with his bare feet until Vic was about six feet off the stern. “I’m going to simulate the motion of the boat, and let’s see how you do. Ready?”
    She wasn’t ready, and she probably never would be. “Yes.”
    He pulled on the cable, drawing her through the water, lean muscle shifting as he moved. Vic tried to come up onto the board but found herself sinking. How was she supposed to concentrate on anything with a mostly naked man watching her?
    “You tried to stand up. Just let the boat bring you up.” He pushed her away from the boat again. “Ready?”
    “Yes.” She drew a deep breath, adjusted her position, let her knees relax.
    “Point your toes toward the boat,” Britta called out. “That’s what helped me.”
    This time when Eric pulled her forward, Vic did her best to let the boat pull her up, staying in the water, toes angled toward the boat.
    “Good. Perfect. Just like that. Now let’s try it for real.” He motioned to Jesse, who idled the boat forward and away from Vic. “When you’re up and on your feet, make sure you distribute your weight evenly. Keep your eyes up and on the boat. It will help you keep your balance.”
    Oh, shit, was she truly doing this?
    She felt the cable go tight, heard