“No, it isn’t. If you’re going to do this, do it right.” Her hands trembled with excitement and fear of being caught as she unclipped her bra and slid off the thong, nearly groaning with the relief of tugging it from where it didn’t belong. Standing completely naked in the great outdoors for the first time, she extended her arms and spun around, overcome by the sheer naughty joy of doing something so far outside her comfort zone. As she dashed into the cold water, she let out a squeal of delight, even as her mother’s voice in her head warned against ever swimming alone.

Growing up on an island, the litany of dangers had been hammered home from a young age. Perhaps that was why she’d never taken any chances. Perhaps that was why she was just now, at the age of thirty-two, first experiencing the sublime delight of swimming naked. And it was sublime and delightful. The sluice of the cool water over her skin sent shock waves to all her most sensitive areas. Her nipples tightened from the cold as much as the excitement of doing something new.

She stayed close to the shore in waist-deep water, floating on her back as the half-moon worked its way higher in the sky, casting a glow over the water. A million stars dotted the night sky, and she picked out some of her favorite constellations. As she floated in peaceful serenity, she couldn’t help but wonder why she’d never done this before. She already couldn’t wait to do it again.

Adam couldn’t figure out where Abby might be. He’d told her he’d be by to see her after dinner with Joe and Janey, but here it was almost eight, and there was no sign of her at the Beachcomber. He tried her cell phone again, but, like the last three times he’d called her, it went straight to voice mail.

When he thought about where he’d found her the night before, his gut clenched at the idea that she might’ve gone looking for trouble without him. Why did that thought make him so damned mad? They had a deal, after all. She’d agreed to let him be her partner in crime, so if she was out looking for some other guy to fool around with…

Storming through the Beachcomber lobby, he stopped short when he realized he was jealous. How ridiculous was that? He was jealous of some nameless, faceless guy that she might or might not be messing around with. What business was it of his? If she wanted to call off their deal, that was her prerogative, but damn it, she ought to at least tell him.