“Oh, this is amazing!”
The unspoiled castaway side of the island was even more beautiful than the resort side. There were almost no signs of humanity around the small beach nestled into the wild tropical growth, save for a small, rock-lined indentation that could be used as a fire pit.
Juan edged the boat as close to the shore as was safe, handing Evan the cooler once they’d hopped into the water. With a salute and a promise to radio in a few hours to see if they were ready for pickup, he pushed the craft away from the beach and disappeared back to the resort.
“I always wondered if there was something going on with Skip and Gilligan.”
Evan flicked out the provided blankets in a shady spot protected from the wind, pinning the corners with rocks while Heath dug through the cooler to see what treasures they had.
“It’s my personal opinion Ginger and Mary Anne bunked up and told those men where to stuff it.”
“I dunno. I have a feeling the professor was in on some of that stuffing.”
Heath lounged beside a spread of fruit and berries and ran the scenario through his mind. “You’re probably right. He was handsome and brilliant. I understand that’s attractive in a man.”
The way Evan rolled to look at him made his spine tingle.
“Are you… fishing?”
“Me? No! Terrible hobby. Those poor things getting speared and suffocated, then thrown away bleeding and traumatized.” He pondered it for another moment. “I have more in common with them than I care to admit.”
Evan laughed and grabbed his chin, tugging him down and wrapping his lips around the strawberry Heath held in his teeth. Together, they snipped it in half, the sweetness mixing with lust as Heath found himself rolled to his back and pinned by Evan’s perfect weight.
It was rare for him to enjoy being manhandled the way he allowed Evan to. For all that he’d been arm candy or a plaything to some of the men he’d dated, they were never in charge once their clothes came off. Evan gave as good as he got, and good lord, was he ever good at both.
“I might point out that of the two of us, I’m the one who ended up bleeding.”
Heath let his head fall back against the blanket, giving Evan better access to his neck and chest. Soft lips and tongue lured him into the press of teeth that followed. Maybe being the fish wasn’t so bad when Evan was the one reeling you in.
“It was for a heroic cause, and I’ve thanked you quite thoroughly, I believe.”
“I’m always open to a little more appreciation.”
“Now who’s fishing?”
They spent well over an hour in the water, with breaks for generous sunscreen reapplication. Snorkeling through the coral or lazily floating on the gentle swells, then retreating to the blankets and towels to lunch on simple sandwiches of juicy chicken marinated in a spicy pineapple and mango glaze.
“Thank you for this, by the way. I mean, I know it wasn’t for me originally, but you could have canceled it, and I’m really glad you didn’t. This has been an amazing afternoon.”
Evan stiffened, but not in the way Heath preferred.
“Um, I actually have a confession.”
“I already know you’re not gay, don’t worry.”
“Well, there goes my surprise dinner announcement.”
Oh, lord. They had to tell the family before they left.Had to. The guilt was killing him.
“What’s your confession?”
He flopped onto his back with a sigh and draped a forearm across his eyes. Dramatic for a straight guy.
“I… didn’t actually arrange this.”
“You didn’t? But then…?” Heath pushed himself up to a better glaring position. “Oh.”
The flowers. This romantic outing. He hadn’t planned it for his ex.She’dplanned it for him. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
