Feisty Read Free Page B

received the volleyball instead. It was obvious many of these people had played together before. She was the outsider here.
    When the first game went to Devon’s team he leaped into the air, bumping his chest with another man’s, a person Sahara had yet to meet. Later on she heard a long-legged blonde call him Ryan.
    As they began the second game, Cord spiked the ball straight toward a barren spot on the other side of the net. Devon came from out of nowhere, dove for the ball and hit the sand, skidding as he struck the volleyball before it could hit the ground. When he looked up, he was lying on his stomach at her feet. Sahara thought she saw another flash of interest in his eyes, but he jumped to his feet, now covered in sand.
    He brushed himself off but the sand was unforgiving, sticking against the light sheen of perspiration covering his body. “I’ll be back.” He turned and ran toward the ocean, jumping in without a pause.
    The Atlantic was chilly, but he made it look so effortless that everyone followed him. One minute they were playing volleyball, the next everyone was diving into the ocean. Sahara, on the other hand, walked toward the water and hesitated. If she went in now it would destroy her hair and makeup. The day was still young and she had plans for the night.
    A startled scream ripped from her throat when someone grabbed her from behind and began to push her toward the frigid water. She fought him even as he raised her into his arms.
    When she realized it was Leo, she released an uneasy chuckle. “You wouldn’t dare.” But he did dare as he tossed her into a large, consuming wave.
    The shock of the fifty-five-degree water stole Sahara’s breath and she ended up sucking in a mouthful of salty ocean. A moment of panic gripped her as she struggled for the surface. Breaking the water, she inhaled, but when she attempted to stand another wave knocked her legs from beneath her. Once more she tried to gain purchase and failed. When a strong set of hands grabbed her, pulling her toward safety and air, she held on to him for dear life. Raising her eyelids, she stared straight into eyes as blue as the sky.
    “You okay?” Devon asked.
    As soon as she realized she would be all right, anger took over. She was going to kill Leo. That’s when she realized her brother had managed to do what she hadn’t—put Sahara in Devon’s arms.
    She feigned coughing and made a poor attempt to bat her now wet and heavy lashes. “I’m not sure.”
    “Do you want me to carry you ashore?”
    Devon would do that?
    Sahara hesitated a moment, before she realized what it would look like. One thing she wasn’t was helpless. “No.” He started to release her, but she held on tight. “Give me a moment.” Okay. Maybe she’d play along a little longer. She laid her head against his chest and listened to the beat of his heart, which seemed to increase with each passing second.
    Damn. He smelled good. Even through the multiple aromas of the ocean and something cooking on the beach, she scented his cologne. Woodsy. Sexy. Intoxicating.
    “You ready?” his deep voice hummed in her ear.
    She didn’t want to let go of him, but she did, and he set her on her feet. Waves splashed into her, making her unsteady. She fought to stay upright, thankful when Devon assisted her to dry land before he let go of her.
    “Thank you.”
    “No problem. The Atlantic can be cold and a little frightening for some people.”
    “Not for you?” And evidently everyone else who continued to splash around and laugh like children.
    “Not me.” A grin spread across his face as a light-brown-haired toddler waddled toward him. “Or for this princess.” He scooped the girl into his arms and she squealed when his cool, wet skin met hers.
    Sahara’s heart dropped when a beautiful woman headed toward them.
    “She’s missed you.” There was no denying the child belonged to this woman. They shared the same hair and skin coloring. Their porcelain features