Harry grinned. “I’m glad I brought the Go-Pro and the underwater housing. I should be able to get some awesome photos.”
“It’s a once in lifetime opportunity, isn’t it?” Amber said from the row in front where she was struggling into a rash vest. “I can’t wait to get up close and personal with the marine life.”
“That’s the way.” Evan clapped her on the shoulder. “A girl after my own heart.”
Harry’s own heart gave a jealous leap—he knew it was stupid and there was nothing between Evan and Amber, but he wanted Evan to be saying those sorts of things to him. He looked away, turning to pick up the snorkel and flippers he’d been given. Evan passed their row as Harry stepped into the out into the aisle, and their biceps brushed against each other. Harry’s skin tingled where they touched.
“Sorry,” Evan said, but his grin said anything but sorry as his hand grazed Harry’s arse.
Evan’s torso was encased in a skintight rash vest, the black Lycra clinging to his body leaving next to nothing to the imagination. His pecs were clearly defined, as was his flat stomach, his broad shoulders highlighting the narrowness of his waist. He wasn’t overly bulky, but clearly he exercised. Harry’s memory provided the details that were hidden by the rashie; the smattering of dark hairs on his chest and the smooth copper discs of his nipples. He tore his eyes away before he went any lower and his semi became something that couldn’t be hidden by his board shorts. As baggy as his boardies were, they were soon going to be wet and clingy. His gaze rose, and he saw the amusement in Evan’s blue eyes that sparkled with mischief.Oh, I’ll get you back.
“No worries,” Harry said with a smirk.Yes, two can play at this game.He stepped around Evan but only took a few steps before suddenly stopping in the aisle, gripping a seat back with one hand as he bent over. As he’d intended, Evan knocked straight into him and automatically reached out to grasp Harry’s hips to prevent him being thrust forward and falling on his face. For one glorious second, he enjoyed the knowledge that Evan’s groin was pressed tight to his arse. He straightened and turned. “Oh, sorry about that, and thanks for the save. I was going to put my flippers on.” He held up the huge rubber fins in one hand, opening his eyes wide, brows high as he bit back a grin.
“Hmm. Perhaps you’d be best doing that from the diving platform, not in the middle of the boat.” Evan’s tone was all businesslike, but Harry could sense he was holding back the laughter.
“Yes, what the fuck are you doing, Harry?” John said from behind Evan’s shoulder. “You’re holding everyone up. Can you hurry and move to the end of the boat so that rest of us can get into the water?”
Harry gave Evan a parting grin, then hightailed it to the back of the boat. He quickly sat on the small platform and dragged on the flippers before pulling the face mask and snorkel over his face.
“Don’t forget to spit,” Evan called.
He looked up. “Huh?”
“Rub your saliva onto the inside glass of your goggles,” Evan said as he sat down beside him. “It’ll stop them fogging up.”
“I can think of somewhere else I’d prefer to rub my saliva,” Harry whispered.
“Harry,” Evan said, his voice low and laced with warning.
Harry laughed and slipped off the side of the platform and into the warm waters of the Pacific.
15
Dance lesson numbertwo was much like dance lesson number one. However, everything Evan thought he’d picked up on during lesson one had obviously gone straight out the window. Neither he nor Amber could remember the footwork, their count was off, and they moved stiffly.
“Fuck! Where’s a waltz when you need one?” Amber said. “Or even line dancing.”
Evan laughed at the scowl on her pretty face.
Milo, the dance instructor, swung past, cha-cha-ing a fast pace with Jules, the other instructor. “There’s a line dancing class in the main auditorium on Thursday morning. Feel free to join us,” he said with a saucy tilt of his head.
Amber narrowed her eyes as they swung away.If looks could kill.
“Those two are such show-offs. We’re all trying to step back and forth in a straight line, and they’re dancing circles,” she hissed.
“I think that’s how the cha-cha goes, Amber.” Evan chuckled. “They’re demonstrating what we could do if we put our minds to it and—”
“In my dreams.” She groaned.
“Hey, at least we’re not just going side to side anymore; we’re going backwards and forwards too.”
As the words exited his mouth, she stepped forward and he moved forward too, and they collided with an awkward bump. This time it was his fault, as he wasn’t concentrating, too engrossed in their conversation and distracted by Harry, who was dancing only metres away. However, he didn’t have it in him to care about the stuff-up, despite Amber’s elbow to his ribs. His laughter burst forth—they were ridiculous together, each of them as uncoordinated as the other.
“Okay. May I have your attention?” Milo clapped his hands, and they all stopped moving, focusing on him and Jules, who were now standing up front. “Now you’ve seen how the cha-cha steps come together…”
Milo paused, and they all looked expectantly at the dance instructor.Jesus, they expect us to dothat? Surely not.
However, instead of Milo telling them they needed to replicate what he and Jules had just done, Milo chuckled. “Relax everyone. You’ll only be going as far as you’ve gone up until now—a basic cha-cha step. However…” He paused again for dramatic effect. “Wedoexpect something a little more refined than the out-of-time stomping some of you are doing.”
