9
Matt
Hayley was a complete and utter distraction. I couldn’t stop looking at her. Even when she was being all business getting the couple suited up for the dive, she was fucking gorgeous. I wasn’t a blind man and I’d never been oblivious to her beauty, but it certainly never affected my body the way it did now, especially not the parts in my pants. Ever since she showed up on my doorstep, thinking about her in my bed was starting to become a habit.
Good thing the wet suit didn’t leave any room for certain appendages to get a mind of their own. At least I hoped.
I’d been diving plenty in my life. The Wrights were big travelers and adventurers. Our parents wanted us to experience and live life. And so, we did.
I helped Hayley get the couple ready to dive.
“All right. Make sure you can always see me. Do not engage the sharks. If you see another kind of shark, make sure to steer clear. Hammerheads and tiger sharks swim these waters too. They’re a lot more unpredictable and aggressive than bull sharks. This is supposed to be fun but we’re still interloping on their territory. If I give the signal, you swim to the surface. Bryssa will pick us up and we’ll wait it out. Or if it’s late enough, we’ll call it a day.”
“Boo, you’ll protect me if a shark comes near me, won’t you?” Wifey asked.
“Yeah, I’ll punch it in the face,” her husband replied.
Hayley rolled her eyes. “All right, who wants to go first?”
I offered to be the first in the water. The water rushed around me. I checked my air and adjusted my goggles. I was set. I got out of the way and got used to the blue world around me.
The reef was far below, and schools of fish were everywhere. The cool water felt good, cooling my blood from my interaction with Hayley. Everything was quiet but my own breathing and it eased more of the tension from my body.
I felt a tug on my fin and turned to see Hayley as she swam under me to take the lead. As she swam deeper into the blue, I made sure Wifey and Boo were between us. Hayley would need help keeping an eye out for both of them.
It didn’t take long to come upon sharks. Per Hayley’s instructions, we stayed along the floor and tried not to draw attention to ourselves. Bull sharks were among the top five for shark attacks on humans, but Hayley did this all the time. I wasn’t worried about it.
Even in the distance, the sharks looked huge. They probably had a solid three feet on me and a couple hundred pounds. They were bulky around the middle but swam gracefully. Wifey and Boo weren’t moving a whole lot, seemingly more interested in checking each other out in their wetsuits than they were the sharks.
And then Wifey started flailing her arms.
Hayley turned around and approached them.
Another shark came into view just behind Hayley. I was not a specialist like Hayles, but I remembered what she taught me. The stripes along the side indicated a tiger shark. A more aggressive shark.
Luckily, we hadn’t moved any closer to the bull sharks. They seemed to be minding their own business.
Hayley waved for Wifey and Boo to head back up to the surface.
They swam up, slowly, trying not to draw any attention.
I swam to Hayley. Our eyes met. I gestured for her to go up and get on the boat. I could see her eyes questioning me, but I didn’t have any time to try and explain.
The tiger shark moved toward her. I kicked hard and pushed myself into action. I glided past her to intercede between her and the shark. Luckily, the shark wasn’t as big as the bull sharks in the distance, but it came right at me.
I didn’t know if Hayley headed for the boat or not. The agitated shark swam by me, its back fin nearly colliding with my face.
I spun around, not as quickly as I wanted, trying to keep my eyes on the damn fish. I was breathing harder and it was making everything more difficult. I would use up a lot more oxygen this way, and if I wasn’t careful, I could screw up my air regulator.
The shark swam out until I couldn’t see it anymore but that didn’t mean it wasn’t coming back. I looked up. Hayley was moving toward the surface, but she was looking down at me. I waved her on and started making my way up, hoping we’d all be out of the water by the time it came back.
Hayley was going to be pissed at me, but I didn’t care. As long as she was safe.
Her fins barely made it out of the water before I caught sight of the shark again, coming straight for me.
Teeth scraped against my shoulder.
The water was cloudy with my flailing and the shark’s drive-by.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Where was it? There was blood in the water now.
I kept moving up. I needed to get to the boat. I didn’t anticipate being eaten or mauled to death, but I didn’t want to risk it.
A tug on my foot startled me.
The shark had my foot in its mouth.
Luckily, most of the hold was on the stupid flipper.
I twisted my foot, wrenching it side to side.
The flipper popped off, and I was free. I pushed toward the surface, hoping the rubber mouthful would keep it busy.
Or choke the damn thing.
As I breeched the water, I squinted through the bright light of the sun, searching for the boat. It was only a hundred feet away.
“Matt!” Hayley’s voice was shrill.
Oh, God. Did that mean…?
“Matt, there’s a shark behind you!” she called.
Yep. Great. Adrenaline kicked in and I hightailed to the boat. Without a flipper, my kicking was off, but I was a strong swimmer, even with the gear on my back. I made it to the boat. Hayley stood right at the edge.
“Get out of there, Matt.”
As I was going to pull myself up, something grabbed my other flipper and pulled me down. It let me go as quickly as it had grabbed me. I thrashed away from the man-eating fish and grappled for the boat again.
Hayley grabbed my tank and hoisted me onto the platform. I rolled onto my back, spit out my mouthpiece, and yanked off my goggles.
My breath was ragged.
I was having a hard time getting air.
“What the fuck were you thinking?” Hayley yelled at me.
When I could finally focus, I saw she had tears streaming down her face. I managed to sit up, letting my tank slide off my shoulders and onto the boat with a thunk. “Did everyone make it back all right?”
Hayley sniffled but her voice came out stiff and angry. “Yeah. But you’re bleeding all over my boat. Get your ass into the cabin so I can make sure you don’t bleed out.”
I couldn’t see the wound but I sure as shit could feel it. The saltwater gave it an extra sting. I held my right arm still as I followed her down to a small cabin. There was a bench with a table, a small kitchen. She kept moving to the far back of the boat and into a small bedroom. She pushed me onto the bed, disappeared for a moment, and returned with a first aid kit.
“You’re going to have to take off your wet suit.”
I did as instructed. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, I could feel the pain radiating from the wounds. I still hadn’t looked to see just how bad it was. Hayley’s face said enough.
Hayley wore a frustrated frown and her movements were jerky.
“You’re not seriously mad at me.”
“It was a fucking tiger shark, Matthew.”
“I’m aware. That’s why I got in the way.”
“You’re lucky it wasn’t very old. If it had been any bigger…” she trailed off.
That’s when I realized she was trembling. I took her hand and put it against my chest over my heart. “I’m fine, Hayles. Heart is beating strong.” Very strong in fact. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was this worried about me? Derrick would’ve been laughing his ass off at me, probably a little annoyed I’d taken all the glory of saving their asses. But he wouldn’t have been pissed. My relationship with Hayley was nothing like my friendship with Derrick. Not to say that I couldn’t be friends with a woman like I was wit
h Derrick, but Hayley and I just weren’t like that.
We had all the makings of a relationship without any of the kissing and sex. And I wanted that with her more than anything now. Maybe the desire had always been there.
Right now, I didn’t give a fuck.
One more little tug and she was sitting on my lap. She was still bundled into her wet suit, but I was half naked now. Her hands splayed out across my chest.
“Matthew…”
I cut off her words by kissing her. It was time to find out just what was between us. And holy fucking shit. Fireworks and electricity and whatever else they talk about. It was all there as my mouth pressed against hers. I could feel her surprise. I half expected her to pull back, slap me, and maybe push me back into the water so the shark could finish what he’d started. This was different than the night after the funeral. We were sober and we didn’t have any obligations aside from her job.
Since she hadn’t slapped me yet, I ran my tongue along her bottom lip, asking for permission for more. Hayley’s hand slid up over my chest and around my neck, her fingers sliding through my hair, and she opened her mouth to allow me access. I dipped my tongue in her mouth playfully at first, testing the waters. My arm slid around her and my hand found the curve of her ass. I squeezed and Hayley’s nails bit into my shoulder. She let out a moan in my mouth.
Then I was lost. I deepened the kiss, sliding my tongue against hers, loving the way she leaned into me. Her hand on the back of my head held me to her, not that I had plans of moving away, but I liked that she wanted me there as much as I wanted to be there.
I had no idea kissing could be like this. I liked foreplay and kissing but never had it been this explosive. I was hard as a rock. My dick was trying to burst through the restriction of the wet suit, and I wondered if Hayley was wet. The way she shifted on my leg and moaned against my mouth I was guessing yes. And that made me want even more.
Someone cleared their throat and Hayley sprang away from me like someone had burned her.
She had her back to me and was looking at Bryssa, who stood in the doorway with a smirk. “The honeymooners are ready to call it a day. I’m taking us back to shore.”
Hayley nodded.
Bryssa turned and left without another word.
“I should check on them, make sure they’re not too shaken up,” Hayley said, leaving.
I sighed and muttered under my breath, “I guess I’ll patch up my own shark bite.”
A moment later, she came back. “I should make sure you don’t bleed to death first.”
10
Hayley
It took every ounce of my focus not to stare at his perfect lips or the way his hair curled a little after being wet and not styled. I kept my eyes on the first aid kit and his bleeding wounds. At least all the gashes seemed to be superficial.
I hadn’t been able to breathe until Matt made it out of the water. What the hell had he been thinking? Now that he was safe on the boat again, I couldn’t help but think what my life would be like if he’d died. The grief would’ve probably killed me too. No way would his family ever forgive me for losing him. And no way would I ever forgive myself. We needed to play it safe for the rest of the time he was here.
What the hell was that kiss about? We hadn’t kissed since we were sixteen. At least not sober. And now…what the hell was he thinking? He was going to leave me in a week. Was this because of Derrick? Was he looking for a distraction? Were sharks not enough?
Once he was fixed up, I met his gaze. “You feel okay?”
“Yeah, it doesn’t hurt much,” he replied. “Uh…how about you?”
I plastered a smile over my face. “I’m, uh, great. I’m going to check on the happy couple and make sure they’re doing okay. You scared them almost as much as you scared me.”
“I’m sorry I scared you,” he said.
I met his blue eyes and felt my entire body shudder. I was still suffering from being completely turned on by his kiss. How the hell had he managed that? Spencer could kiss me for hours and I wouldn’t be so hot. How did Matt get my number so fast?
More than anything I wanted to know why. I hated to think he was just using me but that wasn’t Matt. At least not the Matt I knew. He couldn’t have changed that much…could he?
There was no way Matthew Wright, my best friend, was suddenly hot for me…was there?
“Next time leave the sharks to me.” I headed out of the cabin.
Helping the couple get out of their gear, I noticed how somber they were. Like they were taking a tally of all the things that were important to them.
“Did you have a good time?” I asked.
Wifey smiled. “I had no idea it would be so dangerous.”
I managed a weak smile. “I’ve had very few interactions like this. I’m sorry if it scared you.”
Boo chuckled. “I would’ve protected her. Your man seemed to be able to handle himself.”
I didn’t bother to correct him, mostly because I didn’t want to say he wasn’t my man. But I certainly wondered what it would be like to have him as my man.
Ugh. I needed to stop thinking like that. Matt didn’t want me. Not really. He was grieving and acting abnormally. In any other stressful situation, he’d be with his family figuring it all out. It wasn’t like Matt to pick up and leave all his responsibilities behind.
“Yeah, he can always handle himself,” I said, brushing him off.
That was when Matt decided to emerge from the cabin. The asshole still had his shirt off and had taken off his wet suit, leaving him in nothing but a pair of swim shorts that left less to the imagination than most.
Fuck. I was in so much trouble.
The drive to my place was quiet. Once I parked, I jumped out of the Jeep to give myself a head start on picking up the constant mess my house always seemed to be in. I snagged bras off doorknobs, snatched clothes of every variety from various places on the floor and furniture, and grabbed a couple of dirty dishes, moving them to the kitchen counter.
When I came back into the living room, I found Matt standing on the deck outside. I leaned through the doorway.
He glanced back at me. “That’s a helluva view, Hayles. You’re living in paradise.”
“It has its downsides too,” I said. “But I definitely enjoy it for the time being.”
He turned around. “You going to take a shower?” His faded-blue-jean-colored eyes focused on me.
The air seemed to be sucked out of the world. The way he looked at me made everything inside me squirm. He’d never looked at me like he was in that very moment. I’d seen him hit on a few women in all the time we’d known each other but I’d never been fixed with that look, like he wanted me to invite him into the shower with me.
“I, uh, yeah, I’ll go and use the shower so you can shower too, uh, after.” I turned around and made a beeline for the bathroom. What the hell was wrong with me?
Turning the water on as cold as I could stand it allowed me to clear my head. There was no way Matt was looking at me like that. There was no reason for it. He wasn’t into me. We were friends and all women knew when you were friends with a guy, he never saw you as anything else. The kiss was a momentary lapse in judgment.
Plus, I’d been in the sun all day. I’d imagined the whole thing, right?
Maybe I even hallucinated the kiss.
By the time I was done with my shower, I was clean, my head was clear, and I was ready to face Matt again.
I came out of the bathroom thinking I’d sneak into my bedroom and put on fresh clothes. I’d been so preoccupied I hadn’t thought about getting my clothes before the shower. Matt was right there when I stepped into the hallway. I gasped and slammed back against the wall.
His eyes widened and he frowned. “Wow, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I laughed it off awkwardly, cause that’s the sort of dame I am. “I’m not used to having people in my space, I guess.”
His eyes narrowed a little. “Oh, come on
. You’ve got to have guys over here all the time. They must be lining up at your door.”
I rolled my eyes. “You saw the last guy and he’s never been here.”
“You really do keep guys at arm’s length, don’t you?”
I cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t want to be in a relationship. And if you ask Bryssa, with good reason, since I pick terrible men.”
“Well, there is that.”
I felt irritated. Why did Matt feel he had the right to have an opinion about my love life? Or lack thereof.
I took a couple of steps sideways toward my room, not wanting to dignify my pathetic-ness to him. “The shower is all yours. I’ll get the pullout couch ready while you get cleaned up.” I didn’t wait for him to answer. A couple of minutes later, I heard the bathroom door shut and the water turn on.
I blow-dried my hair and pulled on a bright purple tank top and black shorts. It was more than I usually slept in, but I didn’t want Matt getting any more ideas than he clearly already had.
Grabbing extra sheets and pillows for Matt to use, I went back to straightening up, letting the mundane task keep my mind off the naked man in my shower.
He reappeared a few minutes later in a pair of board shorts and no shirt. His hair was damp and he looked completely lickable; I mean, likable. Likable. My eyes traveled over his abs and narrow hips and then I quickly looked away. What the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t need to be lusting after my friend. Of course, it would help if he would stop running around without a shirt.
No, I wasn’t going to think about him like that anymore.
I wanted to be a good friend; someone he could depend on. We didn’t need to screw up our friendship when he was already in turmoil.
“You okay, Hayles?” he asked.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, of course. Are you?”
“Yeah, I’m great,” he said, licking his lips.
“Matt…”
He sighed. “What?”
“You came to Playa del Carmen. And if that wasn’t enough…we’ve…you’ve…I’m sure you’re missing your best friend.” I couldn’t say the words I wanted to say. I wanted to ask him about our night together. Pretending nothing happened between us was starting to leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Seducing My Best Friend (The Wrights Book 2) Page 7
