Kaylee wastes no time pulling her dress over her head, and my mouth goes dry at the sight of her in a red bikini with miles of skin on display. Little triangles cover her breasts and my fingers itch with the urge to touch her beneath the barely-there material. Before I can talk to her, she moves toward the back of the boat and accepts a snorkel from a man in a Hawaiian shirt handing them out. I strip off my own shirt and kick off my shoes, leaving me in my swim trunks.
Keeping up with Kaylee is a challenge. I turn and she’s already in the water. Finally, I join her and make my way over. “Hey!”
“Hi. Isn’t this glorious?” We’re treading and she tips her head back, hair in the water, as she closes her eyes and soaks up the sun on her face.
“This thing doesn’t look very long,” I say, holding up the snorkel. Everyone else is spreading out, already face down in the water, and I know I’m stalling.
Kaylee snickers. “The guy handing them out told me it’s fifteen inches. Just stay near the surface. I don’t want to have to give you CPR if you inhale a bunch of saltwater.”
I can’t help but grin. “What do I have to do to get a different kind of mouth-to-mouth?” I ask her.
Kaylee laughs as she splashes me. “Come on. Let’s look at some fish.” I note she ignored the question and realize I’m going to have to be less subtle.
Snorkeling turns out to be more fun than I expected. It takes a little while to get used to breathing through the tube, but I’m quickly distracted as I look around under the water. Sunlightpierces the surface in dancing patterns, and the world is made up of shades of blue. The coral reef is fascinating, with stony structures and purple vegetation. There are branching parts that remind me of deer antlers growing so high I can almost touch them.
I feel a tap on my arm and I look over at Kaylee. She’s pointing out a school of neon blue fish passing directly in front of us, and even with her snorkel gear, I can sense her excitement.
Adorable.
We spend the next hour swimming around the reef together, pointing out fish and other sea creatures. I spot a grouper hiding in a crevice, and Kaylee gestures to a barracuda in the distance, its silver body still in the water as it waits for prey. The smaller fish come in every color imaginable, and it’s easy to get swept up in the beauty of the ocean. Kaylee and I are hovering observers, not a part of the world below but appreciating it anyway.
When we surface, we tread water and talk about what we’ve seen, sharing light conversation and casual touches that arouse my desire. We’ve floated closer to each other and suddenly I realize only inches separate my bare chest and her barely covered one.
Her tongue darts out and she licks her lips. I bite back a groan but tread even closer, grasping her hips in my hands. It’s been an amazing day, one I never anticipated. Her nipples rub against me, hard beneath the fabric of her bikini. Our gazes meet as she exhales, and I feel the warmth of her breath against my cheek. Unable to stop myself, I slide my hand along her jaw, tilting her head back, my intention clear.
Just as I’m about to brush my lips against hers, a voice rings out over the water. “Okay, folks,” the owner of the boat calls out. “Time to head back.”
I release a frustrated groan as Kaylee puts space between us, her cheeks a pretty pink. We lock eyes and grin, aware of what almost happened and clearly in agreement that we wanted it to.
I’m getting tired of interruptions when I’m about to give in to temptation. One way or another, I’m going to get my mouth on Kaylee Martin this weekend. I’m ready to turn this spark between us into an inferno.
CHAPTER SIX
Kaylee
When the boatarrives back at the dock, it’s lunchtime. The group makes a decision to grab tacos at a concession stand on the beach. It’s not far from the resort, and there’s a volleyball net nearby. We all get fish tacos, a fitting choice for where we are, and we eat them while lounging in the sand. Tristan stays close to me, and I don’t say anything, but I like it.
I just wish we hadn’t been interrupted before kissing in the water. He wassoclose. Then again, maybe it’s for the best. My desire for Tristan is strong, but that doesn’t mean he’s right for me. He’s not the type to get serious with a woman, and Ionlydo serious in my relationships. That’s why Mark was surprised to see us together. He knows I’m not the casual type, and he’s heard of Tristan’s reputation as a player. There’s a little voice in my head telling me to enjoy the weekend with him and I’m tempted to do just that, no matter where it takes me. Tristan just might be worth a little heartache when the wedding weekend is over.
After lunch, the men decide to join a few others on the beach in a volleyball game. Ashley excuses herself to make a phone call, and I see Shannon heading back to the resort. Mark and his girlfriend have been subdued all day, and despite me not being directly at fault—I didn’t start the arguments, and Mark was the one acting like an ass—I feel bad. I’m not the type to come between a couple, but Mark is going to have to get his act together or lose his current girlfriend.
I stay sitting in the sand as the guys start a game. I need to keep my sunglasses on to shield my eyes and wearing themlets me ogle Tristan in private. I bite my bottom lip as my gaze trails over his six-pack abs and down to the V-shape at his hips. Of course, he’s still wearing his swim trunks, so there’s nothing to see, but Ifelthim when we were about to kiss in the water, the bulge brushing against my stomach, large and unbelievably tempting.
Someone spikes the volleyball over the net, and I watch as Tristan dives forward, bumping it up with his forearms just before it hits the ground. He ends up with a face full of sand, but Lucas is able to send the ball back over the net. The other team didn’t expect the save, so they aren’t prepared, and they miss the ball.
I cheer for Tristan, even if the game is for fun and no one is keeping score.
“Hello, there.” Rainey joins me, a margarita in each hand.
I take one from her and she plops down at my side, letting out an encouraging whoop as Lucas serves the ball over the net. “Go Lucas!” she calls out.
Next Tristan slams the ball down and I’m the one cheering.
“You’re staring,” Rainey says, nudging me with her shoulder.
I smirk and point to my sunglasses. “You can’t know that.”
“No, but you’re putting out some unmistakableI’m hot for Tristanenergy.”
