by Milly Taiden
“Well, everything seems to still be here. They didn’t even mess with my computer. It’s still on the research page that I was on this morning when I left. I was just researching Bonnie and Read, so anyone from around here wouldn’t be interested in that since they all know the story.” She spoke and moved around the bungalow. It was clear her nerves had gotten the best of her. He hated seeing her so shaken up. She started to straighten the papers that were thrown on the floor.
“I’m sorry someone invaded your space,” Smoke said, hating how vulnerable she looked.
“What could I have of any interest to someone here? I just got here.”
Smoke straightened up the couch and chairs that had been jostled around. “That’s a really good question.” He came up to her and took her into his arms, holding her close to his chest. Looking at a big box by the door he frowned. “Is that scuba gear?” He turned toward the box against the door. “How about you come diving with me today? Let’s get you out of here.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Please,” he said, hoping a change of scenery would help her relax and give him a chance to reduce her stress level. “I want to check out some things in a cove. There has been strange activity there lately.”
“I think I’d rather stay here,” she mumbled, her voice soft and unsure.
“Why not? Afraid I’m better at it than you. Are you afraid to go diving in new places?” He racked his mind trying to think of any reason why she didn’t want to go, then it hit him. “Please don’t tell me you’re afraid for me to see you in a swimsuit.” He watched her face. Sure enough, her cheeks turned bright red. “I’d love to see you in a swimsuit. And today is a good day for that to happen.”
Chapter Sixteen
While Valentina reluctantly changed into her swimsuit with a coverup, Smoke made several calls and took charge. The whole break-in was a new and terrifying experience for her. But Smoke had shown her he could handle everything and soothed her nerves. She’d been so grateful for his help and his attentiveness that there had been no way she could deny wanting to go spend time with him.
He’d promised her relaxation and after that event, she needed it. Though the break-in and possible reasons for it were still on her mind, she allowed herself to focus on the diving trip and even became excited to spend time with Smoke.
They packed her scuba gear onto the golf cart, and Smoke drove them to the marina. She hadn’t seen this part of the island, but she could tell where there had been dead grass spots that looked to be coming back. The slumping trees also seemed to be perking up a bit. The breeze felt warmer, but that probably had to do with the hot as hell man sitting beside her.
He parked them at the top of a walkway leading down to the floating boat slips. They had a dozen boats, and all looked like yachts to her. Not that she would have seen one outside of a magazine.
While they loaded the boat, Mark pulled up in a cart with several containers in the back.
“What’s that?” she asked Smoke.
“Oh, I ordered some food for us. I didn’t know if you’d eaten lunch yet.”
“Thank you. That’s very thoughtful.” Something she wasn’t used to from others. So far both Smoke and Ash had been more thoughtful than all the men in her past combined. That included males in her family. She helped Mark carry out hot containers that they put in the lower kitchen, hot items went into the warmers and cold items into the refrigerator. After the third trip, she wondered how many meals he planned to have on their expedition. So far she counted enough for four meals. Plus, desserts.
In the kitchen, Mark asked, “Where are you guys going? To Bermuda for a few days?”
She laughed. “I don’t think so. The plan was to check out something about the volcano.”
At that second, a bowl fell from the boy’s hands and crashed on the counter, spilling salad greens all over the place. She helped him clean up, and he left, saying he’d ask Smoke for the delivery tip. Another twenty dollars. She just shook her head.
Finally, the boat was powered up, and they puttered out of the no-wake zone. Once he had the boat in open water, Smoke pulled her closer to him. “I love the ride out, too, not just the diving.” Her face lit up, and he smiled. The boat hit the waves and scooted against them. “What made you get into diving?” he asked.
“I always loved the water, and one day it hit me that I positively wanted to know what was going on under the water. Know what I mean?” She rambled on, telling him about her diving experiences. It was so comfortable talking to Smoke, almost like they’d known each other for years instead of days.
Suddenly her mind drifted back to Ash and what happened earlier. How could she have been so involved with Ash this morning and now looking forward to the day with Smoke? God, her emotions were all over the place. How could she ever choose? That was going to be impossible. You’re such a ho, Val. Two guys?
“I can understand that,” he said, pulling her back from her chastising session.
“How about you?” she asked, wanting to know more about him than his penis size. Though that would be great information too.
“It was something my dad did, then something I picked up. It’s come in handy with the diving tours here on the island and all.” She stood behind him while he maneuvered the boat. Gliding her hands over his shoulders, she loved the warmth of his skin. He sat in the captain’s chair. She should stop, but she didn’t. Instead, she slid her hands down over his chest. Biting her lip, she decided to be a little more adventurous and grazed a finger over his left nipple.
“I think you need a nipple ring,” she whispered. Then blinked. She’d said that out loud.
“You do, do you?” He chuckled. “Why’s that?”
She shrugged, trying not to lose her bravado. “I always thought they were hot on a guy.” She straightened and glanced away from him. Where did that thought come from? “Sorry, just thinking out loud.”
Another laugh sounded from him. She tried to pull her hand away, but he caught it and brought it back to his chest.
“I like your hand there.” He patted her hand. “I may have to check into the nipple ring thing then. I wouldn’t mind finding out if it actually turns you on or not.”
Soon they were in the cove, and Smoke set the anchors. She watched his shirtless chest muscles move when he did the procedures of anchoring and securing the boat and diver buoys.
“Like what you see, sweetheart?” he asked when he caught her watching his every move.
No sense denying the obvious. “Yes, I guess I do.”
He stared at her intently, his steps eating up the distance between them. In no time, he’d reached her at the bench seat in the rear of the Contender. When he did, he bent and captured her lips with his mouth. She hadn’t realized how much she needed that. His touch. It was crazy to want Smoke as much as Ash. How was this possible?
There wasn’t more time to consider that problem. He deepened the kiss and pulled her down to the padded bench. While he consumed her with his intoxicating kisses and the erotic swipes of his tongue, his hands roamed down her chest, caressing her breasts. Pulling from the kiss, she let out a ragged moan.
“You like that, love?”
Like? The men on this island had to be descendants of sex gods because there was no other explanation for how Ash and Smoke made her hormones go up in flames.
“Yes,” she whimpered.
She’d barely caught her breath when he fondled her nipples, making her lose her train of thought all over again.
The next thing she knew, he was going lower and had spread her legs enough that he could palm her pussy. The pressure he placed on her clit sent her arousal skyrocketing. He worked his fingers under the crotch of her suit and ran a digit along her folds, pulling a moan from her lips. He pressed deeper, fingering and making her gasp.
“Oh my God,” she panted, her voice breaking the more he rubbed.
He brought his slick fingers to his lips, and she watched mesmerized. “Delicious
.”
Holy hotness. “Really?”
He nodded, his eyes flashing and making her pussy super slick. “I know I have to taste all of you. Can’t wait to have you come on my tongue.” He pulled her suit to the side, exposing her sex. He bent closer, his face at level with her pussy. Then he held her open and blew his warm breath onto her clit. She groaned and arched her back. He thrust his tongue into her and a hot shudder shot down her spine.
She bit down on her lip, letting the wave of electricity consume her. Every swipe of his tongue on her pussy brought her right to the edge. His finger fucked her while he stroked her clit with his tongue. It was the most erotic moment she’d ever had on a boat.
He raised his head and met her gaze. “Come for me, baby.”
He flicked his tongue rapidly over her clit and thrust his fingers faster and faster in and out of her.
A loud scream fell from her lips. The orgasm pounded through her, making her legs tense on his shoulders. Waves of pleasure assaulted her and left her floating. She could lay there forever, enjoying the way her body relaxed when her orgasm ran its course.
He kissed her inner thigh and his way up to her chest, up her collarbone, and to her lips. When he took her lips, she tasted herself on his tongue. It was the first time she’d done that, and it made her instantly burn from the inside.
While Smoke got the diving gear ready, her mind wandered once again to Ash. Earlier at the office, Ash had given her an orgasm worthy of an award. But then Smoke had just given her a totally awesome orgasm and did not seem to want one in return, at least not yet. It almost felt like she was cheating, but she wasn’t because they hadn’t claimed they were exclusive or anything.
How had she gotten to this point having two hot gorgeous men wanting her? Choosing was going to be so hard. On the one hand, there was Smoke, romantic, adventurous, sexy as fucking hell. He seemed to want to take care of her almost in a protective way. He was also the more lighthearted of the two.
Then there was Ash. Smoking hot Ash. That man could curl any woman’s toes just by touching her. His hands and tongue definitely knew what they were doing when he had a girl naked. He was also a businessman, smart, and he truly loved his island and its people. What was not to love?
Oh, shit. Did she say, love? No. Nope. No way. It was too soon to feel anything like that. Wasn’t it? It was so not the time to feel guilty about wanting them both or even think of deciding. She needed to chill the hell out and enjoy the day. Enjoy time with each of them.
Smoke helped her put on her gear before he pulled out his and checked it over. She sat on the side of the boat, waiting and watching his incredible body move about. He went down to swim trunks that were smaller than his running shorts from the other day. Hot damn!
Just as Smoke sat to put his flippers on, his phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and frowned. “I need to take this. It’s the security I’ve been talking to about your place. It may take a few minutes.”
“Okay, do you mind if I go on down first?” she asked.
He leaned over to her and locked his lips with hers even though it was a bit awkward with her mask over her eyes and nose. She couldn’t breathe.
He pulled away. “I really wish that you’d wait until I finish my call. You aren’t familiar with the area. You could get into trouble.” She snorted a breath out her nose and raised her goggles.
“I’ve been diving for years. Besides, I promise I won’t go far. I’ll stay right here, just far enough to get my gear wet, and set up.”
He sighed but grinned. “Fine,” he chuckled. “You don’t play fair.” Giving her a little kiss on her cheek, he pulled her mask back down. “Now you can go. Don’t get too close to the ship down there. A mean group of barracuda has been known to hang out in spots.”
His smile would’ve melted her undies if she had any on. He answered his phone, and she launched backward over the side. The water was perfect—warm and clear enough to see the bottom. So beautiful.
Kicking her way around the cove, she approached the area of the sunken ship. According to her research, this was supposedly Bonnie and Read’s ship that sank almost three hundred years ago, at the same time as the volcano rumbled the ground. Scientists weren’t sure of that, but many agreed with that hypothesis.
Over the top, Valentina slowly floated as the sunlight dappled through the water, creating moving splotches of shadow along the floor. Fish darted through the barnacle-covered remains.
The wreckage was like nothing she’d seen before. First of all, there wasn’t a whole lot to see. No large chunks of hull or masts existed, they’d long ago eroded by the salt and water. Several large timbers, pitted and partially buried in the sand, were the only hint the wooden boat had been there.
What there were plenty of were cannons, iron balls, ammunitions, corroded metal containers, all covered in sea life, and partially looking like a rock. A long narrow case lay with the top half off. A rough formed fork and spoon were nearby. Dozens of ceramic jars sat broken, some complete, with pieces of plates and metal cups scattered about.
Reaching the other side of the spread-out remnants, closer to the rocks at the base of the volcano, she watched a piece of seaweed float by as if tugged by an invisible hand. It wasn’t a willy-nilly path, but a straight line toward a cluster of piled stones and small rusty objects against the mountain base. To her surprise, the seaweed didn’t settle, but slipped through the rocks and disappeared.
What the hell? Plants didn’t do shit like that unless there was a new kind of seaweed fish she didn’t know about. She kicked her way to the spot and put her hand over the slit where the seaweed went through, and she felt a slight pull as the water pushed through. That was strange. What was behind the debris?
She shoved the rocks to the side, which was easier than it looked thanks to the water making it easy to move heavy things. The rusty items looked to be old metal parts from the shipwreck, including a spoon twisted in netting that fluttered in the pull of water.
The more items she moved away from the wall, the stronger the drag became. The longer she worked, the harder she breathed, excitement growing at possibly discovering something. The heightening adrenaline racing through her distracted her from what was going on around her. That was why she hadn’t realized something was wrong with the air flowing from her tank.
She shouldn’t have needed to put such an effort into inhaling. She looked over her shoulder to see an air bubble emerge from the tubing between the tank and regulator in her mouth. It followed another bubble higher up. Shit! There was a hole in the tube. How was that possible?
Twisting around to get back to the surface, her flipper wedged between rocks piled up. When she yanked it free, the rest of the stones along the rocky wall tumbled down, revealing a hole in the base of the mountain. Dirt and pebbles were sucked into the hole as if it were a high-powered vacuum cleaner, stirring the cove floor into a massive cloud of mud.
Her lungs strained to take in air. Stars flashed in front of her eyes. In the middle of the swirling darkness with the water tugging her, she didn’t know which way was up. Oh, fuck. No. She was being dragged under. There was only time for one last breath of air. If she didn’t do something, she’d drown in the same place as Bonnie and Read. Maybe her ghost would join theirs.
She kicked against the current, knowing she wanted to go in the opposite direction. The stars in her vision had faded to darkness crowding around the periphery. Her head spun from lack of oxygen, and she became disoriented again. Her body slowed, not listening to her brain, which was in panic mode. She was being swept backward.
Everything turned black, no sunlight penetrating wherever she was. Her arm scraped against the rough rock. Had she been sucked into the hole and was now traveling through a tunnel? Oh, God. Her body would never be found inside a mountain. Where would she end up?
Logic told her the water had to come out somewhere. Would she be alive and able to reach the surface at that point? She doubted it. She was out of air n
ow.
Suction pulled her hard. Jagged edges dug into her sides and hips until she suddenly stopped, between the walls. There was no strength left to get herself free. She hung like a limp noodle. Then her body became heavy, the mouthpiece fell from her mouth, and glorious air forced its way into her lungs. Her head snapped up as she coughed and choked in as much breath as she could.
Her head pounded, and her chest burned. With her arms almost pinned to her side, she could barely move. But her legs were free. It was pitch black, so she could see nothing. What just happened?
The first thing that came to mind was that she was stuck in a tunnel where water flowed from one place to another. Why, though, was she not underwater right now? Had the tunnel drained for some reason? She wiggled around to free one of her arms. She ran her hand over the walls holding her and overhead.
If she were in a tunnel, theoretically, the space above her would be open-air, but instead, she felt more rock. Sliding her fingers around the rounded shape, she realized what was above her. A boulder. She dangled a few feet below a rock wedged in like she was. What if the boulder succumbed to gravity? She wouldn’t have to worry about breathing then, just a smashed brain.
Shit. She had to get out of there, but how? Could she swim her way out? Could she hold her breath long enough? Hell, she just got it back. She didn’t want to lose it again. What a fucking mess.
As if this wasn’t bad enough, the walls began to shake. Earthquake? No fucking way. Her body slipped an inch before it jammed again. This time, her empty air tank was the reason she was stuck. Pebbles rained on her head. The boulder above her started slipping.
Not many choices at the moment. She unhooked the gear from around her chest and let herself fall. She heard the rock scrape free of its binds followed by a clang and crunch.
Her lungs took in as much air as they could in anticipation of hitting the water. She guessed correctly. She landed in the water and went under. Light filtered in from below so she could at least see where she was. That also meant she wasn’t that far from the opening.
