Colby Johnson and his cousin Megan have been practicing all summer for Wildwood's annual Beach Volleyball Tournament. The evening before, Colby drops by the bar where Megan works for a quick drink before heading home and meets sexy Vander "Van" Byron. The instant attraction is mutual, but they only share a few brief hours before Colby has to call it a night.<br><br>The next day, Colby and Megan are on a winning streak, advancing through the tournament ranks with ease. When Colby runs into Van and his twin sister Vallery at the tournament, he isn't surprised -- more than half of Wildwood's population, tourist and local alike, are crowded on the beach for the event. But he is shocked to see the numbered vest Van wears, marking him as a competitor.<br><br>A quick look at the schedule shows that if both teams continue their winning streaks, the day will end with Colby and Van facing off through the volleyball net. To up the ante, Van proposes a little wager. Whoever wins their game advances in the tournament, of course, and continues on for a chance to win one of the grand prizes the next day. But whoever loses gets whatever he wants from the winner.

Playing the Field: Served!

“I got a game to play.”Shuffling down the last few steps,Colby hikes up his boxers and heads for the fridge.Inside he grabs the carton of milk,shakes it to make sure it isn’t empty,then swigs it back.Without a word,Megan pitches the oil at him,the bottle striking his arm as he takes a second drink.“What?It’s the last of it.”


“You’re disgusting.”She glares at her hands as she slathers her flat stomach with oil.The kitchen smells faintly of coconuts and sunshine.“You have ten minutes to get dressed and be ready to leave so I wouldn’t eat anything if I were you.Can you get my back?”


She turns and points in case he doesn’t know what she’s talking about.


Chapter 5