Her Lifeguard (Man Card Book 4)

by Terra Kelly

“So you plan to walk up and grab the board. Then just ask what’s your full name?” Ally had a way with her approach. She was always the aggressive one. “Try not to scare this one off. He could be a keeper.” She pinched my big toe. “Ow,” I said and pulled my foot away. “You know I’m right.”

  “Name one guy that didn’t like my approach?”

  I rolled my eyes at the challenge. “I will name three.” I held up my index finger first. “Jason Skies.” Then I held up my middle finger. “John Ranger.” Last, I held up my ring finger. “And Alex Ford.”

  “Alex doesn’t count. He was never a prospect to begin with, so you can’t add him to that list.” She crossed her legs in front of her and swatted at my legs.

  “He was someone I was interested in though.”

  “And I was making sure my bestie was safe.”

  I burst out laughing at her words. “Is that what you call it? Oh, I see.”

  There was a light knock at the door, then the nurse on duty, Sasha walked in. “You have been released.”

  “Seriously?” I threw the covers back. The doctor in emergency made me stay overnight for observation because I potentially had a mild concussion. Ally ended up staying all night with me. “We have a vacation to finish.”

  “Hold on,” Sasha touched her hand on my shoulder. “I’m just getting the last of your paperwork finalized.”

  I feel back against the pillows. “So how many more hours?”

  “More like minutes,” Sasha said and started to unhook the heart monitor. “You’re not planning to go paddle boarding again, right?”

  “Only if Les wants to teach me,” I teased.

  “Les?” Sasha asked as she hung the cords on the machine and stepped back. “As in Leslie Irving?”

  “Um,” I glanced over at Ally. “Is there more than one lifeguard with the name Les?”

  She nodded. “Good point. Nope, just the one.”

  “Is he your boyfriend?” I figured my dreams were about to be shattered in a matter of seconds.

  “Brother.” She smiled and picked up my lunch tray. “He hates being called Leslie though. If you see him again, don’t tell him I told you his full name.”

  “Oh, she’ll be seeing him again.” Ally winked at me.

  “Um, yeah, I promise.” How was this even possible? The guy who rescued me has a sister that’s a nurse and she’s now caring for me, too. That felt like such an odd coincidence. “Does he have a girlfriend?” I realized I was being nosey. “Sorry, that was rude. Ignore me.”

  “Don’t ignore her,” Ally jumped in. “Does he?”

  Sasha flashed the biggest smile. “I don’t mind sharing. The man needs to find a woman.” She started to head to the door. “He’s single.” She stopped in the doorway. “I’ll get you out of here in about thirty minutes. Then you can go bother my brother some more.”

  “Oh, I won’t bother him.”

  “I give you my permission to bother to your hearts content.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I laughed and let my head fall back on the pillow.

  “Holy shit,” Ally said and grabbed my hand. “This is fate, girl.”

  “It’s weird.”

  “How is that weird?”

  “We’re in a city with thousands of people. I just happen to hit my head and get cared for by a brother and a sister.”

  “It’s fate.”

  Was it fate though? I was never much for believing in the signs and all that horse shit. Nothing ever seemed to go my way, so what was the point.

  Then the vision of Leslie Irving ran through my mine. His tall frame looming over me. Wisps of dark blond hair falling around his face. His steel gray eyes staring back at me causing my body to react.

  Okay, maybe I could give fate another shot. I would do anything to have those delicious hands roaming over every inch of my body.

  Eight

  Leslie

  “You’re back.” I said to Gabby, as she walked up the ramp to my station. Her name played over and over in mind. There was no way I was going to forget her name or her angelic face. “Did they release you on good behavior?”

  “Something like that.” She smiled and I felt my dick stir. “It was potential mild concussion so I had to stay overnight. Doc said I’m fine, but now I have a pretty bruise to show-off.” She crossed her arms over her chest and then seconds later uncrossed them. “Sorry if I’m bothering you.”

  “You’re not bothering me.” I patted the chair beside me. “Have a seat.”

  “Um, are you sure?”

  “Very,” I insisted. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “Me, too,” she said and laced her fingers and sat them on her lap. “I’m not sure why I had a bug up my ass to try paddle boarding in the first place.”

  “I can teach you if you want.”

  Finally she looked over at me. “What? Oh no, I wouldn’t want to impose.”

  “Who said you would be imposing? I offered.”

  She didn’t say anything for the longest moment. “Sure,” she finally said. “Hopefully I don’t cause you to go to the hospital next though.”

  “No one will go to the hospital. I promise.”

  “You say that now, but my track record is not stellar.”

  “Are you challenging me?”

  I watched as her breathing increased. “Maybe.” She winked and finally leaned back in her chair. “So, I met someone you may know.”

  “We don’t even know each other technically.”

  “That’s true, but there are not many lifeguards with the name, Les.”

  “Wait, did you meet my sister?”

  “I did.” She laughed and I had the desire to make her laugh some more. “She told me a secret.”

  “Should I be worried?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I mean, I don’t think so.”

  “Are you planning to make me guess?”

  “Sure.” I was enjoying the way she was flirting with me.

  I crossed my ankle over my thigh and leaned back. “She pretended to by my girlfriend?”

  “Ew, no. I did wonder though.”

  “She gave you my phone number?” I was hoping that question was answered with a resounding yes.

  “Oh gosh, no. That would go against all that privacy stuff.”

  “I give up.” I winked and waited for her to say my full name. My sister was always trying to fix me up with someone, and she loved to use my full name.

  “Well, Leslie Irving.”

  There it was. She said it and fuck, I wanted her to say it a thousand more times. “She told you my name, eh?” I wasn’t much for my name. My immediate family were the only ones allowed to call me by my full name…until today. It was possible I would make an exception for the gorgeous brunette.

  “You’re not mad?”

  “About what?”

  “Me saying your full name.”

  “Well…,” I teased.

  “It’s not that bad.” Her words caused me to burst out laughing. “I mean.” I watched how she shook her head. “Yeah, so how about those Carolina Panthers.”

  God she was cute. “I’m more of a hockey guy myself.” I touched my hand on her thigh and watched how she jumped. “I give you permission to say my full name anytime you want. What are you doing around five this afternoon?” I slipped the question in quickly.

  “Well, since I’m on vacation.”

  “Your schedule is wide open.”

  “Pretty much,” she said and stood up. “Tell me what I’m doing at five?”

  “Dinner with me. How does that sound?”

  “Early. Are you an eighty-year old in a twenty-something body?”

  “Funny.” I stood and stepped closer to her. “We’ll have time for a paddle boarding lesson afterward.”

  “You’re determined to get me back out on that damn board.”

  “Maybe.” I instinctively reached my hand up to lightly brush my finger over her cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Or maybe I
just want to help you.”

  “Oh, is that what you’re doing?” I watched her shove her hands in her pockets.

  I took the last step forward and was only a breath away from her body. “Uh huh.” I mumbled and had the sudden urge to lace my fingers behind her neck and kiss those gorgeous lips.

  Before the urge became any stronger someone cleared their throat. “Are you inspecting the bump on her head?”

  “Ally,” Gabby leapt away from me. “Leslie, I mean, Les was just–”

  “I don’t want details, love.” Ally covered her ears.

  “Oh stop.” Gabby rolled her eyes. “He just invited me to dinner, but I can’t go.”

  “You can’t?” I said at the same moment Ally said the same words.

  Ally walked up the ramp and reached for Gabby’s hand. “You okay? Did you bump your head again?”

  “No, I’m fine.” Gabby seemed embarrassed. “We’re here in Wilmington together. That’s rude if I leave you alone.”

  “Screw that, and who says I’ll be alone?”

  “You won’t be?” Gabby said, and I noticed how she sounded shocked. I glanced around looking for the lucky guy but didn’t see anyone in particular.

  “Not if I have a say in it,” Ally teased. “Leslie, darling, Gabs will be joining you tonight.” Then before I had a chance to say anything she was walking away.

  “She always that demanding?”

  “Only when I’m not.” Gabby laced her fingers together behind her back and rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet a few times. “We like to take turns. It would be boring if it was always one sided.”

  “Signs of a true friendship.”

  “Exactly, and one that has been going strong for a very long time.”

  “Well, since she’s in the demanding chair today and you’re not. Where should I pick you up?”

  When I arrived for my shift yesterday, I never expected that more than twenty-four hours later I would be having dinner with a woman I had just met…well, actually rescued. My work life should be separate from my personal, but this time I planned to make an exception.

  Suddenly a vision of Gabby ran through my mind and it was quickly causing my lower body to have a mind of its own. Before I embarrassed myself, I sat down in the chair. All I could think about was Gabby in her wide brimmed red hat and nothing else on her delicious body.

  Somehow between now and when I picked her up at her hotel, I had to get myself in check. Fucking a woman I had just met would not be one of my wisest decision. Especially one with a head injury.

  Nine

  Gabby

  “You’re wearing that?” Ally said the moment I stepped out of the bathroom.

  I glanced down and over at my friend. “They’re a nice pair of crop pants and a T-shirt. What’s wrong with what I have on?”

  “You want to make a good impression, right?”

  “Didn’t I already do that?”

  I still couldn’t believe that I was going on a date with the lifeguard who rescued me. Somebody needed to pinch me because this shit couldn’t be real.

  “Your head injury has messed with your head.” Ally stepped beside me and grabbed my hand. “You look like you’re about to go out to your garden. You just need that damn red hat of yours and some gloves to top off the assemble.”

  “You suck,” I groaned and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Do you have any options for me?”

  “As a matter of fact I do.” She hopped over to her suitcase and unzipped it. “I always bring a few extra outfits because, you never know…”

  “If you’re going to go on a date with the lifeguard.” I finished her thought.

  “Exactly,” she said and dropped a dress in my lap. “This one will be perfect.”

  I lifted the cotton fabric so I could get a look at it fully. It was red with black stripes, and only a couple of white stripes scattered throughout the pattern. “It’s red.” It wasn’t the color I usually wore but I did look good in it.

  “And red is amazing on you.”

  “Fine.” I fisted my hands in the fabric and made my way back to the bathroom. “It’s not a fancy date though.”

  “That’s not a fancy dress,” Ally said and grabbed the remote. “Just put the damn dress on woman.”

  It only took me a few minutes to change. After the dress slipped down over my body I took a moment to stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror. Thankfully Ally and I wore the exact same size clothes and shoes. Back in high school we were known to switch outfits if we were unhappy with our decisions that morning.

  “So,” she yelled. “Is it a go?”

  I opened the door and spun in a full circle. “It’s perfect.” That wasn’t a lie. The dress was perfect.

  “Oh, someone is going to get laid tonight.” Ally chimed.

  “Seriously, I just met the guy. Can I get a chance to know him first?”

  “If you want to take the boring route, sure. I like my way of thinking better though.”

  “I’m sure you do.” I glanced over at my purse and realized it was going to clash with the dress. “Hey, do you have a small purse I can borrow?” When she tried to give me an annoyed look. “Oh shut it, you know you have ten purses sitting in that suitcase.”

  “Five, thank you very much.” She reached into the suitcase and pulled out a couple of options. She was holding a small black purse in one hand. It would be perfect to throw over my shoulder. “This one goes with that dress,” she said and handed it to me.

  “I’m afraid to ask how many pairs of shoes you brought?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  I burst out laughing. “Is that why we have that extra bag in the trunk.

  “Maybe.” She grabbed the TV guide to find a program to watch. “When is he picking you up?”

  “Any minute.” I stepped back to get one more look at myself in the mirror by our bed. “Are you sure it’s okay to leave you alone?”

  “Yes. Just stop worrying.”

  “I thought you said you’re going out?”

  She reached under her pillow and pulled out a thick hot pink vibrator. “Not out. I have a date. It’s with Peter.”

  I turned toward the door right at the same moment a knocked sounded. “Things I will never be able to unsee again.”

  “Oh please, yours is bigger than mine.”

  “And has an extra extension to pleasure my clit,” I whispered. Ally was in fits of giggles as I opened the door. “Hi.” Then I promptly lost my voice. Leslie was wearing tight fitting jeans and a black cotton T-shirt. He had on black flip-flops. Wait, his shirt matched his shoes. Did I enter an alternate dimension?

  “You look amazing,” Les said and stepped into the room. “Hi.”

  My friend was unable to say anything because she was still laughing over what I said. “She just read something funny. She’ll be fine.” I threw the purse over my shoulder. “Where are you taking me first?”

  “You did wear your swimsuit under the dress, right?”

  “Oh, I knew I forgot something,” I winked.

  “She likes to skinny dip anyways,” Ally said as I stepped outside.

  “Ignore her.” I grabbed his hand and tugged him out of the hotel room. He didn’t need to be exposed to Ally for long periods of time. The woman didn’t know how to hold her tongue; especially when it pertained to the opposite sex.

  Leslie seemed amused. That was a good thing. There were a lot of men over the years that couldn’t handle the strong friendship Ally and I had formed. “I decided to try something different tonight.”

  “As in a new restaurant?” I looped my arm around his bicep. “I love finding new places.

  “No, I thought we could enjoy a picnic on the beach. How does that sound?”

  I brought my body closer to him. As I made the connection, I could feel every part of me light on fire. The vibrator felt boring at the moment. I needed the real thing to fulfill these needs.

  “Gabby,” Leslie said and squee
zed my hand.

  “Yeah,” I glanced up into his steel gray eyes.

  “I need to do something.”

  “Please say kiss me.”

  He laughed at my words and nodded. “I really need to kiss you.” We were stopped by a car that I assumed was his. I didn’t answer him. Instead I leaned up and took control. I had an issue with being impatient.

  His lips felt soft. I had this urge to lightly bite down on his bottom lip. He let out a low growl. His lips covered mine and he plunged his tongue inside. I didn’t know who was around and honestly, I didn’t care. His tongue moved in a circle and my body craved more of his touch.

  “How is this possible?” he leaned back slightly and whispered.

  “What?” I continued to kiss him lightly. There was no way I was letting this moment end quickly.

  “I want you so fucking badly.” He rested his forehead against mine. “That’s not me. I never feel this way so quickly about someone.”

  “I feel it, too.” I kissed his nose and then his lips again. “Ally said how we met was fate.”

  “What do you think?”

  “I think there is something to her argument for sure.”

  “Especially when you factor in meeting my sister.”

  I rested my hands on his chest. “What are the damn odds?”

  If it was fate that brought us together, who was I to fight it? Selfishly I was willing to accept the fate scenario if it meant kissing him a thousand more times tonight.

  Ten

  Leslie

  “This is a private section so we’ll be alone tonight.” I was holding Gabby’s hand as we walked together down the steps toward the beach. I wondered if I was reading everything wrong. Then she let me kiss her and I knew we both must’ve wanted the same thing.

  “So we really shouldn’t be here?” she asked as she hopped down from the bottom step and plunged her feet into the sand.

  “My friend lives around here. We’ll only take up a small area of the beach tonight.” I pointed to a section of the beach with a dark blue blanket spread out. “The neighbors have seen me around before.”