LITMIR.BIZ

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my engineering background does help me interpret for both the programmers and the marketing staff.”

      “So you’re, like, the translator. Sprechen Sie computer?”

      “In a sense, yes.” He smiled.

      “That’s very cool,” Jaycee said. “So what are you cooking up at the moment?”

      “We have a variety of projects in R & D and beta.” He glanced at Candy, who urged him on with her eyes. “Uh, one you might be interested in is a personality test to help employers ensure applicants are suited to the job.”

      “Another test to fail.” Carter groaned in pretend misery. Candy pegged him as one of those lighthearted, physical guys who were tireless in bed and eager to please their partners. Under other circumstances, he’d be the perfect companion for a week at Malibu. Too bad she was otherwise occupied.

      “Yeah, but those test questions are so obvious,” Jaycee said. “‘Would you rather rob a liquor store or play poker with your mother?’”

      “Actually,” Matt said, “the test has been certified to have construct and concurrent validity, as well as—”

      Candy cleared her throat.

      Matt glanced at her, then paused. “Uh, basically the test measures what it claims to measure.” He’d caught on, she was pleased to see. Can the jargon.

      “Right,” Candy said. “Plus, employers consider other factors when they hire.”

      “Like charm and good looks?” Carter said, winking at Candy.

      “As long as you’re qualified for the job,” she teased back.

      “Oh, I’m qualified.” He held her gaze for a telling moment. “You two here for the festival?” He was assessing their romantic status, she could tell.

      “Partly,” she said. “We’re doing that photo scavenger hunt, for one thing, since Matt’s also a photographer.” She figured that could lead to more conversation.

      “That’s so cool,” Jaycee said. “Do you do head shots? Because I need some for my modeling composite.”

      “Not really. I just play around.”

      “You do? You play around? I like that.”

      “It’s only a hobby.” Matt seemed oblivious to Jaycee’s flirtation.

      “But he has a great eye,” Candy said.

      “Even better.”

      Lord, could the girl be more obvious? Candy felt a pang of irritation, but pushed on. “Why don’t you take a snapshot of our team, Matt?”

      “With the phone? Ah. Sure. Good idea.” He cut her a glance that told her he knew where she was heading—get contact info.

      Jaycee called over the other two players, then planted herself in the center of the picture. She was so damned bouncy. Like an overage high school cheerleader. Candy wasn’t sure why that annoyed her, except that she seemed to be deliberately jiggling her breasts under Matt’s nose.

      Matt snapped the shot, then keyed e-mail addresses into his phone, finishing just as their team was called to play.

      “You’re a good student,” she murmured to him as they headed onto the court.

      “Because I have a great teacher.” He held her gaze for an extra beat, giving her that melting feeling again. Between the sun and Matt, she’d be a puddle in the sand before long.

      Checking out their opposing team, Candy felt intimidated. They looked so athletic. She was reasonably coordinated, but still…She glanced at Matt who smiled, calm and reassuring.

      As the game went on, Matt kept his eye on her, backing her play when the sun blinded her or she was out of position when a ball came over. He even saved her shot when Radar lunged onto the court and nearly knocked her down. Matt was a strong and graceful player…who distracted the hell out of her, standing there—tall, bare-chested and gorgeous. He had to do a million pushups when he wasn’t at his keyboard. Not to mention sit-ups.

      She was so busy watching the way he crouched—arms extended, hands fisted together, muscles rippling—that it took her a heartbeat to notice he’d set the ball to her.

      At the last second, she managed an inelegant one-armed swing and was amazed when the ball made it over the net. It surprised the other team, too, and they missed it.

      Candy had earned a point by ogling Matt.

      Carter slapped her on the back. “Excellent,” he said, lingering near her. She noticed Matt watching the moment, pensive, slightly frowning.

      The two sides traded the lead over and over, until it was game point and Candy’s serve. Yikes. She moved into position, dizzy and freaked, her nerves tight as guitar strings. All eyes were on her. This one counted. She shot a look at Matt.

      “It’s just another serve,” he murmured. “Show them what you’re made of.”

      She would. She’d show the players. And she’d show Matt. Her ideas, that is, as soon as she got the chance. She’d show her family, too. She’d show everyone. Pumped with adrenaline and determination, she swung the ball into the air, hauled off and slugged it—straight over everyone’s heads and yards out of bounds down the beach.

      “Outside!” the ref called.

      No kidding. Her second try went sideways and out, losing the serve for her team. Radar fetched the ball, dropping it at her feet. She tossed it over the net to the other team.

      “No big thing,” Matt said to her, waiting until she looked at him. “Really, Candy. It’s nothing.”

      She felt terrible, though, and determined to make up for her failure. When her team got the serve again, the return ball came over at a tough angle. No way would she let this go without a fight, so she dived for the sand, scraping palms and knees, but managing to set the ball high.

      From the ground, she watched Matt spike the ball hard.

      The other team didn’t have a chance.

      They’d won. Her team cheered, the ref whistled for the teams to change sides, and Matt held out his hand to help her to her feet.

      She smiled and reached up, enjoying the pressure of his broad palm, his firm grip, the power in his arms. Bouncing to her feet, she rocked into him.

      His arms went instinctively around her, reminding her of the moment when he’d tried to steady her before she fell anyway.

      “Great dive,” he said softly.

      “Great spike. We make a good team.”

      They stood that way, eyes locked, breathing unevenly, braced in each other’s arms. The seconds stretched and sagged, as sweet and slow as pulled taffy. She could feel Matt’s heart beat against her hands. There was something they had to do, but she couldn’t…quite…remember…what…it was.

      “Hello?” Jaycee called from the other side of the net. “We’re over here. New game?”

      “Oh. Right.” Matt jolted forward.

      “You okay? Need some water?” Jaycee asked him when he reached her, extending her water bottle.

      “I’m fine.”

      Jaycee bounced back to her position and Candy leaned toward Matt. “She wants to have your baby.”

      “What are you talking about?” He looked at Jaycee. “You’re exaggerating.”

      “You should go for it.”

      “No. I’m not…No.” He colored, embarrassed or flattered or both. A jealous prickle moved along Candy’s nerves. Which was crazy. If her help juiced Matt’s love life, then so much the better, right?

      The game

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