She glimpsed his face just before he started hauling her toward the shore. She’d really scared him. Part of her felt guilty, but she still remembered to cough and gasp for air as he dragged her through the water. At the same time she struggled with her modesty.

He wasn’t even breathing heavily, and for a moment she let herself relax against him and enjoy the sensation of his body doing the work for hers. But it was hard to be both relaxed and bare-butt naked. “I—I had a cramp.”

“Which leg is it?” His own leg brushed her hip, but he didn’t seem to notice anything was missing.

“Stop—stop for a minute, will you?”

He slowed in the water and turned her in his arms without letting her go. She saw that anger had replaced his concern. “You shouldn’t have been in the water by yourself! You could have drowned.”

“It was … stupid.”

“Which leg?”

“My … left. But it’s better. I can move it now.”

He let go of one arm to reach for her leg.

“No!” she squeaked, afraid of what he’d encounter on the way.

“Is it cramping again?”

“Not … exactly.”

“Let’s get to shore. I’ll look at it there.”

“I’m fine now. I can—”

He didn’t pay any attention. Instead, he started hauling her toward the beach again.

“Uh, Kevin …” She coughed as she caught a mouthful.

“Keep still, damn it!”

Nice way for a PK to talk, especially to a drowning victim. She did her best to keep her lower half away from his lower half, but he kept sliding against her. Slip sliding … slip sliding … She groaned against a rush of sensation.

His rhythm changed, and she realized he’d touched bottom. She tried to disengage herself. “Let me go. I can walk now.”

He swam farther in before he loosened his grip and stood. She dropped her feet.

The water came to her chin, but it was below his shoulders. Wet strands of hair plastered his forehead, and he looked grumpy. “You could be a tad more grateful, you know. I just saved your annoying life.”

At least he didn’t looked bored any longer. “Thank you.”

He still had her arm, and he began moving toward the shore. “Have you ever had a cramp like this before?”

“Never. It took me completely by surprise.”

“Why are you dragging your feet?”

“I’m cold. Probably a little shocky. Would you lend me your T-shirt?”

“Sure.” He kept heading toward the beach.

She dragged her heels. “Could I have it now, please?”

“Now?” He stopped. The water lapped at her breasts. The red top had pushed them up quite nicely, and his gaze lingered. She noticed that his lashes had formed aggressive little spikes over those sharp green eyes, and she fought a sudden wobbliness in her knees.