by Julie Cannon
“I would, yes,” she said, not even looking at me. I guess she didn’t have the same desire.
“Count me in,” I said, and Anne with an e took our names and told us we would be the second group to go down. We’d have time to snorkel beforehand. She walked away but not before handing us each a clipboard with a small stack of papers attached.
“Ever been?” I asked
“Yes,” Faith answered. “Have you?”
“Nope. I’m a SNUBA virgin.”
“Then I’ll tell her to be gentle with you,” Faith said nonchalantly as she filled out her paperwork.
“I’m a big girl. I think I can handle just about anything this trip throws at me.” Except Faith, as it was turning out.
The sun warmed my skin as the boat motored through the
water. I counted at least eight other boats already anchored along the reef.
Bethany came around handing each of us a face mask and snorkel and asked for our shoe size. Several minutes later she returned with her arms full of yellow rubber fins. She asked if I needed some help with mine, but I assured her I could figure it out. She walked away seeming disappointed.
“Hi, girls.”
Shirley approached and sat down next to Faith, and some of the tension between us dissipated.
“I’ve never done this.” She looked more than a little nervous.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Faith said.
“Oh, I will. I’m going with the beginning group. We’ll have someone with us all the time.”
Shirley started to put her fins on.
“You put those on when you’re in the water,” Faith said, and Shirley chuckled in embarrassment.
I’d have loved nothing more than to spend the rest of the day sightseeing with Faith, but Shirley was a sweet woman with a wicked sense of humor. She was also a good buffer between Faith and me. As Faith laughed at Shirley’s attempt to adjust her mask and snorkel, I had an excellent opportunity to watch her without being rude and creepy.
I knew it was the job, but it appeared that Faith was genuinely interested in Shirley. The times I’d seen them together, Faith was attentive and focused on Shirley, who, in turn, reveled in the attention. I hoped that when I was Shirley’s age, someone as young and beautiful as Faith would equally enjoy my company.
Chapter Twenty-two
The boat slowed as we approached a small island with a sandy shoreline. As I stood and untied my sarong, I felt Lowe’s hot eyes on me. My pulse kicked up, my heart skittered, and my mouth went suddenly dry. I tugged off my sunglasses, stowing them in my bag before turning to Shirley.
The engine stopped, and a deckhand wearing a face mask and a pair of green fins grabbed a yellow rope and dove off the bow. He swam deeper and deeper to secure a line to an anchor on the ocean floor. Bubbles trailed the man as he exhaled during his ascent back to the surface. I heard a second splash from the stern and assumed that another deck hand was securing the opposite end to keep us from spinning in circles.
Captain Nate’s voice came over the loud speakers giving final instructions, including specific ones to stay at least five feet from the delicate coral and not touch any fish.
I gave the crowd a few minutes to clear the boat before descending into the water, amazed it didn’t sizzle from the heat coming off me.
I swam away, fully aware Lowe was watching me. I hadn’t been able to see her eyes, but I knew she’d been looking at me. Her facial expression when I removed my cover-up confirmed that my suspicion was correct. I didn’t think Lowe was aware that her reaction was so obvious and hoped she couldn’t see my response to the attention. The water cooled my skin but did nothing to tamp down the heat inside me as I tried to focus on the beautiful underwater landscape in front of me. One of the gentlemen aboard had assisted Shirley down the steps and said he would swim with her. That was one less thing for me to worry about. I had a hard-enough time remembering to breathe through my mouth and not inhale any seawater.
The water was so clear the blues and greens on the reef popped with color. Schools of fish the size of footballs with bright-yellow vertical stripes swam around me. I shook my head in disgust as two men in dark swim trunks tried to grab several of them as they swam by. Either they hadn’t listened to Captain Nate, or more than likely, these two clowns thought the rules didn’t apply to them. Movement to my right drew my attention from the men, and I spotted Lowe swimming down toward the reef. I hoped she respected the fragile nature of the coral, and as I floated on the surface, I was relieved when she stopped several feet from the delicate ecoscape. She moved her arms and legs to stay in place for a few moments before righting herself and heading back toward the surface.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Lowe as she swam, fluid and graceful in the clear water. Her legs were long, with much more exposed today than I’d seen so far.
I hadn’t slept much last night, my dreams centered around Lowe and what would have happened if I’d allowed our kiss to continue. It was bad enough that I looked for her everywhere I went on the ship. I couldn’t control that urge any more than I could control my dreams, especially when they centered on a certain tall, striking blonde.
I was hoping that the bottle and a half of wine I’d shared with Raul last night after leaving the party would have made me semi-comatose and I’d sleep through the night. But it had failed to dampen the steamy eroticism of my subconscious. My dream last night had started with Lowe not walking away.
Lowe had pulled me close, and I was powerless to keep from stepping into her embrace. The heat from her body enveloped me, and I succumbed to the temptation of her kisses. Lowe’s mouth was soft and tentative and increased its demand as I eagerly kissed her back. Needing to feel her body against me, I wrapped my arms around her neck and rose onto my toes.
Lowe’s hands were hot against my skin, and I pulled her starched shirt from her pants. I needed to touch her, feel her, taste her. Not able to wait, I lifted her shirt higher and kissed the exposed skin. She moaned and inhaled sharply, and I soared with the knowledge that I was pleasing her. I needed more and tugged at the buttons, my hands trembling so much that Lowe pushed them away and unbuttoned a few herself.
I pushed her undershirt above her breasts and stared in awe. Lowe had the most magnificent breasts, full of desire, her erect nipples begging to be licked.
Unfortunately, I was so caught up in reliving my dream, I wasn’t paying attention to the position of my snorkel, and it dropped below the water line. The end contained a lightweight ball similar to a fishing bobber that, when submerged, floated to the top and blocked water from entering. As a result, I didn’t inhale seawater. However, I also wasn’t able to inhale any oxygen. I fought a moment of panic before realizing what I’d done and lifted the end of my snorkel out of the water.
For the remainder of the forty minutes we were in the water, I was acutely aware of Lowe’s location and often found her swimming nearby. After another bout of sucking dead air, I realized I needed to get out of the water before I got a lungful.
I swam a short distance to the beach of the nearby island. Captain Nate had said we were moored an easy swim from Daydream Island, less than a mile long and half as wide. Bethany had told Lowe that we were allowed to explore the island, and it was more than apparent she wanted to explore Lowe.
I pulled my fins off just before my feet hit the soft, powdery white sand of the beach, and the tide gently pushed me the rest of the way in. I left the fins, along with my snorkel and mask, next to a large outcropping of rocks about fifty feet in from the shore. Unless the high tide rolled in very quickly, they’d be there when I returned. I wasn’t going far, planning to just walk down the beach to clear my head. I had about thirty minutes before I had to be back on the boat for my SNUBA session. A five-minute walk in one direction, then back, and another five to get my gear on and swim back to the boat left me plenty of time.
The island was beautiful. Colorful tropical fish swam lazily in the crystal-clear water in the bay
. The inland rain forest was thick and green, highlighted by the sound of birds squawking in the trees. A small, private resort was supposed to be nestled on this tiny island, but I saw no sign of anyone else. I had the beach to myself.
The water lapped at my feet as I strolled along the shoreline. The push and pull of the waves reminded me of my feelings toward Lowe. The pull of attraction was undeniable, and if I wasn’t very, very careful, I’d be swept away by a force as fast and as dangerous as a rip current. I wouldn’t be able to do anything to stop the strong, narrow tide of desire from pulling me into her. I was exhausted from trying to swim directly away from the overwhelming attraction between us.
I walked for another few minutes before turning to go back to my gear, and when I did, I saw a familiar figure walking toward me. My heart raced, and my pulse skyrocketed.
We met under a large tree, its canopy shielding us from the summer sun. Lowe’s skin was tan from our outdoor activities, her suit wet. Like me, she had evidently stored her gear somewhere on the deserted beach.
Smoldering blue eyes caught and held mine. The flame of desire burning brightly took my breath away. An overwhelming awareness, an insistent throb of desire I had never experienced coursed through me. I flushed as Lowe searched my eyes for the answer she was looking for. I had no idea if she’d find it because I didn’t even know if I knew.
Lowe reached out and brushed my cheek. Her fingers branded my skin, and I wanted her mark over my entire body. My mind went numb, and all sense, common or otherwise, left me. She looked uncertain, doubt creeping into her strong, confident bearing. I wanted to scream kiss me, but I said nothing. I wanted to touch her bare skin but didn’t move. I wanted to step into her arms and never let go but stood still.
It was obviously my move, and when I didn’t make it, Lowe dropped her hand, turned, and walked away.
I don’t know if I was relieved or disappointed. On the one hand, I’d been insistent we didn’t cross the line, yet the chemistry and attraction between us was off the charts. This was the perfect setting to consummate a forbidden encounter. With a few steps we’d have complete privacy to release pent-up desire that was as combustible as dry tinder on a hot, summer day.
With each step that took Lowe farther away from me, I wanted to scream at the idiotic rules that governed me. Justifications of my actions if I were to call her back raced through my head. Anyone else in this situation probably wouldn’t have hesitated. My integrity, no, my fear of just how fast and far I’d fallen for her kept me from saying anything. As she disappeared, I’d never felt so alone.
***
Back on board, I drank from a bottle of water, letting the warm sun dry me. I slipped my sunglasses on and waited for Lowe to return to the boat. If Lowe could watch me go into the water, I had the right to watch her come out.
Lowe ascended the ladder, and when she stepped onto the deck, I didn’t know if I’d been rewarded for my diligence or would be cursed again tonight by the striking image of water sliding down her fabulous body.
We ate a light snack, and then it was our turn to SNUBA. Our rights relinquished by our signatures on the bottom of the forms, we donned wet suits, and after a ten-minute orientation we were in the water.
Lowe was paired with another rookie, who, after a long look at her, introduced herself in a ridiculously sultry voice and asked Lowe to keep an eye on her. Anne put me with another experienced diver, a large woman who chatted to herself the entire time we were getting ready.
I was relieved that Lowe would be on another line. Her constant scrutiny, though flattering, kept me in a continuous state of arousal. I was exhausted from deflecting her innuendos. I had absolutely no doubt of what she’d rather be doing, and as much as I pushed back, I wanted to give in.
Doing the right thing was exhausting, and if we had met before she boarded in Sydney or a week from now, things would be different, very different. As it was, I’d spent almost every moment since I ran into her that first day trying to figure a way out of this predicament and into her arms.
The heat from her eyes on my ass when we were on the stairs turned my legs to Jell-O, and I could barely put one foot on each step. I wanted to toss “Hi, my name is Bethany and I’m here to make sure you have a good time” overboard. Jealousy is not attractive, especially when it was uncalled for. But it was there nonetheless.
Anne swam by, and I gave her a thumbs-up after she signaled the amount of time remaining on our dive. I found Lowe about thirty yards away. The crystal-clear water accentuated the smooth movements of her long arms and legs. She looked perfectly comfortable as she explored her surroundings.
Over the last two weeks it was apparent that Lowe was an unusual woman. She was self-assured, smart without being a know-it-all, and the best-looking woman I’d seen in a long time—if ever. I wasn’t drawn to any one thing, like the color of her eyes or the way her left cheek dimpled when she smiled. She could have been arrogant and stuck-up like her parents, but she wasn’t. Not at all. She was her own self-reliant woman, or at least she appeared to be.
I’d thrown caution out the porthole, and against my better judgment and even though I knew it was wrong, I finally admitted I’d fallen for Lowe Carter.
The thought overwhelmed me, and I forgot how to breathe, at least through my regulator. I swallowed a few mouthfuls of the Coral Sea, the salty water somehow infiltrating my mask and making my eyes burn. Anne was quickly beside me, concern apparent behind her face mask.
I put the heel of my hand on my mask between my eyes and pushed, blowing out through my nose. My mask cleared instantly, and I gave Anne another thumbs-up. She watched me for a few moments longer before kicking her fins and swimming away.
I looked around for Lowe again, the woman I’d almost drowned over, and found her watching me. She gave me the “are you okay?” signal, and I indicated I was. I think if I’d said otherwise, she’d have tossed her gear off and rescued me. That was a nice thought.
All too soon, Anne gave us the sign to head to the surface. Lowe and her tether-partner surfaced first, followed by two others, and then it was my turn.
Back on the boat, Lowe handed me a towel.
“That was awesome,” she said, her expression reflecting her comment. Her eyes sparkled, and my stomach did a summersault. I couldn’t remember the last time it had flip-flopped like that. Oh yeah, the last time Lowe looked at me.
“It is, isn’t it? Most people say that their first time.” OMG, that actually came out of my mouth. I gasped and felt the heat of embarrassment creep up my neck, while heat of another kind shot in the opposite direction.
“Yes, I suppose it’s true,” she said simply, not reacting to my own provocative statement. Thank God, because her look was hot, and I had no strength to resist, and no will to.
Anne helped me out of my gear while Bethany had her hands on Lowe in more places than the buckles.
“I’ve got this, thanks,” Lowe said, stepping away from her with an exasperated expression.
Lowe grabbed a towel from the stack and wiped her face. Then she rubbed it through her hair, which stuck out at all angles in a cute, disheveled way.
Back on the top deck, I reached into my bag and pulled out my sunscreen. I tried to ignore Lowe watching me as I rubbed the thick lotion on my legs and arms.
“Need some on your back?”
I should have said no. I should have put my tank top back on. I should have stayed back on the Escape.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Lowe’s hands on me felt wonderful. They were strong and smooth as she spread the sunscreen over my skin. Somewhere along the way, they shifted from medicinal to sensual, and my body sprang to life. My pulse throbbed between my legs, and my heart beat so fast it sounded like the rat-a-tat of a snare drum. My head fell forward when Lowe rubbed my neck, the tense muscles relaxed under the skillful hands. I grabbed the rail and locked my elbows to support my suddenly weak knees. I felt Lowe’s warm breath on my neck when she stepped behind
me. A shiver ran through me, and she had to have noticed.
“Cold?”
Not hardly, I thought, but only shook my head. A giggle and the pop of the top of a can reminded me we weren’t alone on the deck. I wished we were so Lowe could continue to have her hands on me, but in many other places.
“There, that should do it.”
Lowe’s voice was husky, her hand shaking when she gave me the tube of sunscreen. I was glad to see I wasn’t the only one affected by the last few minutes. Bethany hovered nearby like a pesky drone, but Lowe ignored her.
An hour later we had docked and were waiting for the crowd to disembark when Lowe asked, “Can I interest you in a cup of coffee before we head back to the ship?”
“What is it with you Americans and coffee?” I asked, teasing.
“I think it’s a euphemism for do you want to get together?” Lowe looked a little sheepish.
“Is that what you mean?” I was tired of dancing around this—whatever this was. Lowe looked shocked at my question but then relieved.
“What do you think?”
Way to throw it back into my court, Lowe, I thought, but then decided to stop thinking.
“I know I don’t have to be back on board until nine tomorrow morning,” I said bravely. “I know there’s a hotel not far from here. And I know if I don’t feel your hands and mouth on me in the next ten minutes, I might self-combust.”
There, I’d said it. I’d jumped without a blindfold and with both feet into what I knew would be an abyss of carnal pleasure—and possibly unemployment.
I must have caught Lowe off guard because she didn’t say anything for a few moments, nor did she move or give any other indication she was up for this. I hadn’t read this situation wrong, or at least I hoped I hadn’t. The longer Lowe didn’t reply, the more afraid I became. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she leaned near and kissed me.
