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James took a slow breath “I’d love to help you out, Tom—”

“No one’s asking for help This is an investht you liked that shit” There was already an edge in Tom’s voice

“I wish I could help you,” James said “I really don’t have the money”

To even redder “Yes, you do, you little prick You’ve been working for that rich asole for years now—”

“In case you didn’t hear, my boss is in jail”

“—and don’t tell uy’s butt”

Nice “I did But it’s all tied up, and you know it, Tom”

His older brother glared “Fuck you”

“Toreat idea—”

“Oh, now it’s a crap idea?”

“—I honestly don’t have the money It all went to Beckham”

“And ouldn’t have needed Beckham if it wasn’t for you! You fked everyone over, didn’t you? When your own fa house with your boss’s daughter, aren’t you? Having fun living off her money?”

“Toot money?”

“Thanks for nothing I should’ve known And don’t show your face in Dresner Moh of a mess without you Asshole”

Ten seconds later, Toave Jaone

Forget the roof There was a crowbar; there was the long side of the house Jaed end under soeance Sweat poured off his body, soaked his hair, stung his eyes The wood screales off the side, no enerations, just shoved the pry bar underneath and jerked up and ripped them off like scabs

He didn’t even notice Parker co as always tight against her calves

“Hello, sweaty day laborer,” she said with a grin

“Hey,” he grunted

“Was soht I heard voices”

“Nope”

“You hungry?”

“Nope”

She gave hi One I’ for a swim”

“Fine”

She went blithely into the house Jales, relishing the screech as they tore off

Then her words sank in

She couldn’t swim in Maine water It was practically ice-cold Fifty-two, fifty-five degrees? Maybe? It was high tide, too, so it’d be even colder He tossed down the pry bar and stomped inside, folded his arms across his sweaty T-shirt and stood outside her door, ready to lecture her

Then the door opened, and he forgot what he was there for

She earing a bikini

“You want to come?” she asked

His mouth opened, but no sound came out Skin There was a lot of skin And…curves Breasts Shoulders Legs His ave him an odd look, then scooped up her hair and secured it with an elastic, and his eyes slid down to her rack, because my God, that was a fantastic—

“I know Cellulite I’ve gained eleven pounds this past year” She stared down at her torso, then sighed “Oh, well Maybe I can swirabbed a towel and headed through the kitchen

Her ass ell, he was unable to su upward And that scrap of fabric—red fabric—thank you, Jesus Hard to believe she’d kissed hi of hard, she was so beautiful and perfect and luscious, bad enough that he’d had to listen to her shower every , and—

But wait, wait, wait

She couldn’t swim in that water

“Parker,” he croaked, but she was already halfway down the stairs, the long grass billowing in the breeze, the dog’s feathery tail in the air

“Parker!” he called, banging out the back door “That water’s really cold”

“And I a like a dog Right, Beauty?”

“It’s too cold for swi down the stairs “Hypothero in”