Shore Feels Right

by Annette Mardis

  A few hours later, he awoke from what he thought was an erotic dream, only to realize that what he felt was real. Dani had her hand inside his briefs, doing wonderful things to him. When his eyes popped open and glazed over with lust, she gave him a saucy smile, shifted on top of him, and settled into a long, scorching kiss. He slid both his hands inside her panties to caress her bare bottom, and then his fingers sought her sweet spot between her legs. When she jerked and moaned he knew he’d reached his target.

  “You’ve got on too many clothes,” he observed between kisses.

  “So do you. Let’s do something about that.” Sitting up, she pulled off her shirt and bra, and Evan’s hands immediately found her nipples. She closed her eyes and rocked against him.

  “That’s probably not a good thing to do unless you want this to be over before we get started,” he warned.

  “Tell me what you want,” she whispered.

  Evan gently pulled her down until they were chest to chest and then rolled her beneath him. He kissed his way down to her panties and slid them off. Then he removed the rest of his clothes and licked his way up her leg to her womanly core. As he loved her with his tongue, Dani squirmed and fisted the bedspread. With each stroke, she panted harder until she closed her eyes and threw back her head.

  “Please, Evan, please,” she begged in a low voice. Her back arched, and she let out a little cry that made him smile inside. Since their disastrous first time, Dani’s sexuality had blossomed, but she remained shy in a lot of ways.

  When she collapsed back onto the mattress, he kissed his way up to her lips.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “For you, always.”

  Their bodies joined, and they moved as one. Dani finally had come home.

  Chapter 22

  The following week, Monica stood watching a staff vet conduct a necropsy on a loggerhead turtle that had washed up dead on the beach. Her boss tapped on the window of the surgical suite and motioned for her to step outside.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Zoological Care Manager Jarvis Jacobson told her, “but a pod of short-finned pilot whales has stranded in Gordon Pass off Naples. Truman Raines, a friend of Wesley’s, has offered to fly a team from GSA down there in his private jet so we can help in the rescue effort and maybe conduct some research. Want to go?”

  “Absolutely. When are we leaving?”

  “As soon as everybody’s ready. You’ve got a ‘go bag’ in your car, right?”

  “Yes, I always keep it there in case of emergencies.”

  “Good girl. Go get it, your wetsuit, and dive boots, and meet at the van outside the employee entrance.”

  “Are you going?”

  “Yes.”

  So, she found out, were Wesley, Flipper, Evan, and Dr. Kelsey Kramer, the aquarium’s marine mammal veterinarian. They scrambled to gather their stuff, then helped collect and load other supplies. Monica took a minute to call Cosby and fill him in on her plans. She hoped he didn’t ask who else was in the group. He had no reason to be jealous. But would he be if he found out Evan and Flipper were making the trip?

  “I’ll miss you tonight,” he told her.

  “Me, too. I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

  “Be careful. I remember when those pilot whales stranded down in the Everglades, they attracted a lot of sharks, especially after dark.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll do everything we can to save the whales but not at the risk of anybody becoming shark bait.”

  When Monica ended the call, Kelsey smiled at her. “New boyfriend?”

  “Yes. This is the first time I’ve cancelled our plans because of work, but I’m sure it won’t be the last. I guess now’s as good a time as any to see how he deals with it. Although he wasn’t fazed when I dropped everything in the middle of a dinner date because one of the turtles needed surgery.”

  “I’ve been pretty lucky to have an understanding partner.” Kelsey lived with Joanna Tompkins, a Gulf Shore police detective. “If anything, Jo’s schedule is even more unpredictable than mine. But I don’t think I’ll ever get used to her being called out in the middle of the night. And last Christmas we had a house full of people and she had to leave because a couple idiots robbed and shot up a convenience store. They were pissed there wasn’t much money in the register. Thank goodness nobody got hurt.”

  “You must worry about her when she’s on the job.”

  “It comes with the territory. I wish she wasn’t in law enforcement, but when you love someone you accept them for who they are. Jo loves being a cop. Her father’s one, and so are her brother and two of her cousins. And she’s darned good at it. So I just have to trust in her ability and ask God every day to keep her safe. And also be thankful we live in a community without a lot of violent crime.”

  Monica didn’t know Kelsey well, but she’d always been friendly and turned a deaf ear to gossip. As an openly gay woman who’d endured her share of stares, whispers, and derisive comments, Kelsey accepted other people’s quirks and forgave their mistakes.

  Just then, Flipper walked up, threw an arm around Kelsey’s shoulders, and planted a noisy kiss on her cheek. She smiled at him and mussed his hair.

  “Don’t you own a comb?” she teased.

  “Maybe if I cut my hair as short as yours, I wouldn’t need one.”

  “I happen to like my wash-and-wear hair, although Jo told me the other day she wishes I’d grow it out again. She got a charge out of playing with it when I wore it long.”

  “You definitely looked sexy with those flowing locks. But you’d be sexy regardless.”

  “If I were straight, Flipper O’Riley…”

  “Yeah, yeah, promises, promises.”

  Kelsey laughed. “Speaking of promises, Jo asked me when you’re hosting another poker game. Remember you told her you’d do it soon? She’s looking forward to taking more of your money.”

  “Let me know what your schedules are next month and I’ll plan something.” Flipper looked over at Monica as if he’d just noticed her standing there. “Does Cosby play poker?”

  “I don’t know,” she replied. “I’d have to ask him.”

  “If he does play, and especially if he doesn’t—Jo the card shark needs another victim besides me—see if he’d like to come to my poker party. You can come, too, if you want.”

  “Gee, thanks. With such a heartfelt invitation, how can I say no?”

  Kelsey laughed and poked Flipper in the arm. “You’re not exactly dealing with Mister Sensitivity here, you know,” she told Monica.

  “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” he explained. “I just remember you never came to any of our poker nights when you dated Evan.”

  “Things have changed a lot since I dated Evan.”

  The man in question stopped loading his camera equipment in the van and cast a suspicious look at Flipper and Monica. “I just heard my name, twice. What’s up?”

  “Poker,” Flipper replied.

  “What about it?” Evan asked, still wary.

  “Flipper’s planning a party, and you and Dani are invited,” Kelsey put in. “Monica and Cosby, too.”

  Flipper glared at Kelsey with feigned indignation. “Maybe I should hire you as my social director, Miss Manners.”

  “You should. I could prevent you from putting your foot in your mouth yet again.”

  Before Flipper could offer a sarcastic comeback, Wesley joined the group and commanded everyone’s attention.

  “We’ll be leaving shortly, so make sure you have whatever personal items you’ll need. We’re taking plenty of water, sports drinks, fruit, energy bars, and other snacks. Plus, we’ve got sunscreen and lots of towels. Everybody have a hat?” They all nodded. “Good. Let’s get this show on the road.”

  The ride to the municipal airport on the outskirts of town took about twenty minutes, and security allowed the van to drive right up to the airplane to unload. Wesley and Evan were the only ones who’d been in a private jet before, so
the others stared in appreciation at the plush interior with its supple, beige leather chairs and couch, glossy wood tables, LED lighting, WiFi, refreshment center, and a bathroom complete with a small shower stall.

  While everyone got settled, a tall man with an athletic build and leading-man looks stepped out of the cockpit. His clothes fit like they’d been made for him, not a wavy dark hair dared shift out of place, and he appeared to be in his early forties. He and Wesley greeted each other like long-lost brothers.

  “Listen up, everybody,” the aquarium director ordered. “I want to introduce our host, Truman Raines, who has so generously offered us the use of his jet and also is our pilot for this trip.”

  Jarvis, Monica’s boss and an unrepentant suck-up, started clapping, and the rest of the team joined in. Truman had the good grace to blush as he held up his hand to quiet them. An image of Charlton Heston as Moses in the movie classic The Ten Commandments flashed into Monica’s mind.

  “Welcome, everybody. I greatly admire the work you do, and I’m happy to save you the four-hour-plus drive down to Naples,” Truman intoned. “Sit back, relax, and we’ll be there before you know it. Help yourselves to any of the food and drink on board.”

  As he spoke, Truman made eye contact with each of his passengers. When his gaze met Monica’s, it lingered there a little longer, and his grin grew a bit wider. She felt a flicker of awareness—where had that come from?—and quickly stifled it, offering only a polite smile in return.

  Truman returned to the cockpit with Wesley in tow, and Jarvis looked at Monica as if they shared a secret.

  “What?” she asked.

  “It appears you have an admirer. Mr. Raines obviously is quite taken with you. He barely noticed me or anyone else.”

  Jarvis sounded jealous, which Monica considered ridiculous, just like the man himself. But she smiled as if the joke was on her. “Yeah, right. I look like I need a styling brush and a bag of cosmetics. I’m sure the man has supermodels and actresses falling at his feet. Why would he waste his time on me?”

  “Me thinks the lady doth protest too much,” her boss replied. She wanted to smack the smug look off his weasel face.

  Instead, she changed the subject. “So what kind of research do you hope to conduct from the stranding?”

  When he launched into what promised to be a long-winded explanation, Monica resigned herself to a mind-numbing flight. She settled back in her chair and tried to appear interested while her thoughts wandered back to the man in the pilot’s seat.

  * * * *

  They landed at Naples Municipal Airport, where a rental van waited to take them out to the stranding site. Truman hadn’t planned to go with the group to Gordon Pass, but then he stepped out into the cabin. His eyes widened as Monica and the others stripped down to their swimsuits and wiggled into their wet suits.

  She wore a plain, modestly cut one-piece but still felt exposed as the billionaire watched her with blatant appreciation. If her colleagues noticed, they withheld comment. When they left the aircraft to pile into the van, Truman pulled his friend aside.

  “Who’s the gorgeous blonde?” he asked Wesley.

  “Monica Sims, one of our staff marine biologists.”

  “She married?”

  “No, but I believe she’s seeing someone.”

  “A minor detail.”

  Wesley frowned. “Aren’t you practically engaged to”—he snapped his fingers—“oh hell, I can see her face, the one whose daddy owns the shipping company.”

  “Whitney Sommerfield. She’d like people to think we’re engaged. But I haven’t put a ring on her finger, and I don’t intend to.”

  “Maybe not, but you’ve given her so many other diamonds that anyone would think she’s destined to be the next Mrs. Raines. Although I’ll believe you’re getting hitched again when I see you standing at the altar.”

  “Don’t be marrying me off just because I like to give my women sparkly baubles to keep them happy.”

  “You sure didn’t keep Tammy happy.”

  Truman shuddered. “Don’t ruin my day by bringing up my ex-wife. Damn, what a barracuda she turned out to be.”

  “Cheating tends to bring out the worst in women.”

  “Yeah, well, if you’ll recall, she had something going on the side, too.”

  “Yes, but didn’t she fall into bed with the other guy only after she found out about all your affairs over the years?” Wesley pressed.

  “Who cares why she did it? Her indiscretion was the only thing that kept her from sucking my bank account dry. That private detective definitely earned his money uncovering that little gem.”

  Truman laughed. Wesley didn’t.

  “Listen, bro, you and I go way back and I value our friendship. But do us both a favor and don’t add Monica to your trophy shelf,” the aquarium director advised. “I know this is about your obsession with Charlize Theron. The lady turned you down, repeatedly, almost a year ago. Get over it! You can’t use Monica as a substitute.”

  “But man, they could be twins, or at least sisters.”

  “The similarities end with their looks. Monica lives in a vastly different world. It’s not fair to pull her out of her life just so you can have your fun and then leave her flat.”

  “For a friend, you sure do have a low opinion of me.” Truman looked wounded. “What makes you think I’d hurt Monica?”

  “I’ve seen how you operate, and ordinarily I’d stay out of your business. But this girl has had her share of bad breakups, and they’ve been her fault. She’s finally straightened herself out, and I hear she’s dating a guy who’s salt of the earth. She seems happy, which is good for her and for my business. Don’t mess with that, all right?”

  “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”

  “I am,” Wesley confirmed.

  “How about we let her decide?”

  “Meaning what?”

  “Meaning I let her know I’m interested, and if she’s as happy with this dude as you say she is, then she’ll tell me so and he’ll keep his lady. If not, she’s fair game.”

  “I can see I won’t be able to talk you out of this.”

  “She’s a big girl, Wes. Something tells me she can handle it.”

  * * * *

  They arrived on the scene to find twenty-one of the glossy black whales whistling to each other as they floundered in shallow water. State wildlife and federal marine fisheries officials already were on scene trying to determine what made the animals leave deeper water and head to Gordon Pass, one of the busiest inlets in Southwest Florida.

  Connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Naples Bay, the pass ran between Port Royal, one of the area’s first waterfront communities, and Keewaydin Island. Hotel-sized homes there had replaced the small cottages that once marked the island as a rustic retreat for the rich and famous.

  Officials readied to euthanize two of the whales to end their suffering. Kelsey and Jarvis waded out to examine them and, regretfully, came to the same conclusion. Sad work, but it had to be done.

  Kelsey and the rest of the GSA team then set about evaluating the health of the remaining whales. At least two others showed symptoms of illness, and blood and other tests would have to determine the cause. Wesley offered to transport the animals to his aquarium for rehabilitation, and much discussion ensued about whether they’d survive the trip. The government officials left their decision up in the air until the remaining whales could be examined.

  Wesley huddled with Jarvis to talk logistics via cell phone with GSA’s supervisor of marine mammals and the head of the rehab unit. Truman, who’d changed into swim trunks and a T-shirt, attached himself to Monica like her shadow. They petted and talked to one whale while splashing water on its exposed skin to prevent sunburn.

  “So tell me what you know about pilot whales.”

  “Flipper and Kelsey are a lot more knowledgeable than I am,” she replied.

  “I’d still rather hear it from you.”

  And
she’d prefer that he latch on to someone else because he distracted her. Despite her initial flutter of attraction, she found him to be too much. Too handsome, too rich, too worldly, too smooth, and too focused on her. But his close friend signed her paychecks, so she figured she’d better make nice.

  “Pilot whales are the second-largest members of the Delphinidae, or dolphin, family. Killer whales are the largest. These are short-finned pilot whales—the long-finned species prefers colder climates—and they live in tropical and temperate waters throughout the world. They’re highly intelligent and sociable, and males and females may remain with their birth group for life. They eat by sucking prey into their mouths, mostly squid, sometimes fish, and occasionally octopuses. And they’re more likely to strand en masse, possibly because of their strong social bonds.”

  “You really know your stuff. I’m impressed.”

  “I know a little about a lot when it comes to sea life, plus I did a Web search before we got here. My area of expertise is sea turtles. I’m no authority on cetaceans.”

  “Cetaceans?”

  “Dolphins, whales, and porpoises.”

  “Aren’t dolphins and porpoises the same thing?”

  “No. Dolphins generally have a bigger mouth, a longer rostrum—that’s the beak or snout—conical rather than spade-shaped teeth, a curvier dorsal fin, and a longer, leaner body than porpoises.”

  “Huh. Interesting.”

  Monica might’ve believed he was sincere if he hadn’t been running his gaze up and down her body when he said it.

  “So why did you decide to become a marine biologist?” he asked.

  Ah, his interest is a ploy to keep me talking, she mused.

  “I’m a native of San Diego, so I grew up in and around the water.” Before she got deeper into her story, Kelsey waded up and interrupted, and Monica could’ve hugged her.

  “So how’s this one doing?” asked the veterinarian, flanked by Flipper and Evan.

  “Respiration seems normal, and I didn’t find any obvious wounds,” Monica replied.