Floating beside each other, kicking lazily, the pack of snorkelers skimmed over the reef. Archer noticed things she never would have seen from this far away, making sure to draw everyone’s attention to the highlights.

Waverly couldn’t wait for her next opportunity to dive. Once she’d experienced SCUBA, snorkeling didn’t cut it. Not when you wanted an up-close, full-immersion experience. It was fun, just not the same.

With her eyes glued to the reef, she noticed a dark green splotch start to move in a direction contrary to the ebb and sway of the soft corals. She lifted her head high enough that she could take her snorkel out of her mouth and call, “Turtle!”

Then she held out her arm, pointing toward the creature that ascended in their general direction for a breath of air.

“Please remember not to touch it or spook it if it comes near you,” Archer educated their guests. “Turtles need oxygen. We don’t ever want to risk trapping it beneath the surface if it needs to breathe.”

The snorkelers made room for the turtle. Their lack of threatening gestures convinced the little guy that it was okay to come closer and they all ended up scoring a better view. After their new friend had wandered off in search of his next meal, Archer steered the group back toward the Divemaster.

“It’s funny how the turtle hardly moves its fins and yet it’s still faster than me,” Waverly bitched, wishing she was half as graceful in the water.

“You seem like you’re doing just fine to me. Made it to that woman in a flash earlier.” Warmth and pride colored his comment in return, making her stomach flutter as if she’d swallowed one of those small, schooling fish whole. “If we didn’t have the group with us, I’d race you back to the boat.”

“Next time.” Waverly had developed her competitive side in the Navy.

When they reached the Divemaster, Miguel climbed aboard and began to assist people as they grew tired and exited the water. Waverly and Archer remained.

For her, she simply didn’t want to leave the relaxing water any time soon.

For him, he kept an eye on every last person, making sure they got their fill of the activity safely.

Eventually, it was just the two of them, floating near the swim line that trailed behind the boat. It was ingenious. The rope had plastic bubbles spaced periodically along its length. Each end of the line was attached to one of the back corners of the boat and the slack drifted out forming a semi-circle. It acted as a corral, keeping their pool noodles, inflatable rafts, and other toys from escaping to the open ocean.

They took off their gear and piled it on the ship’s platform so they could enjoy a simple swim unhindered, then collected anything else left behind by the guests as it floated within the swim line. When they were finished, he turned toward the ladder that dipped into the water off the back of the ship.

“Mind if we stay just five minutes more?” she asked him—begging, really, since swimming in the ocean alone was definitely not allowed.

“You sound like me. Nah, I could do this all day.” He grinned then put his arms up on the swim line, his body rising to the surface, ankles crossed, as he stared up at the clouds overhead. Completely relaxed.

In his element.

Waverly licked her lips.

“Pretty woman. Sunshine. Ocean breeze. Have Miguel toss me a beer and I’m good for the next week or two,” he elaborated.

“So, you still think I’m pretty, even though I’m not so feminine anymore?” She hated herself for asking, but the question had slipped out before she could stop it. “Can’t remember the last time I wore a fancy dress or had a manicure.”

He looked at her like she was crazy then. “I didn’t like you for your wardrobe.”

Waverly thought back on their encounters. He’d always been the aggressor. Showing her just how much he wanted her.

Now, though, he was clearly not about to budge.

Conveniently, she’d gotten a hell of a lot bolder since then.

She swam close enough that she could see the droplets sparkling like diamonds on his eyelashes. Still, he only stared back at her. His hands never moved from that damn rope.

Why? Could it be he wasn’t interested anymore?

“Would you like me if I kissed you right now?” she whispered.

“You’re calling all the shots here.” Archer reclined, letting the buoys do their job and keep him afloat as he lazily treaded water.

Maybe it was his thing these days to let women come to him. She had no problem with that.

“Am I?” She drifted closer still.

The wake of a passing boat finished the job, shoving her into him. Her hands landed on his bare chest. He hissed as if she’d scorched him.

Waverly peered up at him, full of mischief, and wondered if her eyes reminded him of the ocean he loved so much. He seemed like he couldn’t stop looking into them. Hell, he didn’t even blink. “In that case…I think I’d like to forget the past twelve years—especially yesterday—ever happened and say hello to you properly.”

She wound her arms around his neck and levered against his shoulders to lift herself out of the water enough that his mouth was within reach. Gently, she pressed her lips to his and began to kiss him.

Far more patient now that he was grown, he didn’t devour her in response.

Admitting that disappointed her just a little, she took it upon herself to taunt him into surrendering some of his newfound control. Waverly missed the unabashed passion he’d shared with her in those never-forgotten kisses.

She wanted this one to be every bit as memorable for them both.

When she paused, peering up to see his reaction, she didn’t necessarily like what she saw. So she separated them a tiny bit.

“Isn’t this weird for you?” He stared at her, worried.

“It wasn’t until you asked that.” She lost some of her enthusiasm. “Now it kind of is.”

Still, she tried one more time to recapture their spark.

Waverly wrapped her legs around Archer’s trim hips, hugging him so she didn’t drown when she lost herself in the taste of salt and his mouth. His hand came up, cupping her ass to keep them steady when he returned her kiss and deepened it.

Finally!

She sucked on his tongue, teasing him into dipping inside her mouth. Hints emerged of the Archer she had known and—

Known and wanted to fuck, she substituted mentally.

Kiss by kiss, he grew bolder until she felt his cock start to make its presence known against the softness of her belly. There was no hiding when two thin layers of Lycra were all that separated them.

Waverly moaned—twice when he bit her bottom lip.

“You getting out, Archie?” Tosin called from above. When he peeked over the edge and realized why they’d suddenly gotten so quiet, he said, “Oops. Don’t mind me! I didn’t see anything. Much.”

Backpedaling, he disappeared from view.

But the spell had been broken.

“I can’t do this.” Archer broke away, breathing hard.

Was it because his friend had busted them sucking face like the teenagers they’d once been?

“I’m sorry. Until we’ve really talked, in private, and I can apologize properly…” That again? Ugh. She’d thought they’d gotten past that, but he kept bringing it up. Killing her buzz. “Maybe not even then, Waverly. It just doesn’t feel right.”

Funny, it had felt perfect to her.

“Okay.” She let go and swam for the ladder, hoping he hadn’t glimpsed the disappointment carved on her face. The last thing she wanted was his pity.

“Wait. Don’t go. Have lunch with me?” Archer asked as he climbed up behind her, probably not even taking the opportunity to check out her ass.

Silent as she swiped salt water from her legs, she debated declining. Had pretty much decided that it would be for the best if all he was going to do was knot her up inside and send her mixed signals. That would make this job hell.

“Hey,” he said softly, drawing her attention back to him. “I’m sorry, okay? Just…this one time can we put it all out on the table? Then we never have to mention it again. I swear. Deal?”

Fine. “Let’s get this over with.”

Archer nodded. Then he used a nearby intercom to request lunch for two be served on the private sundeck off his quarters. At least they agreed about something. Interruptions would be unwelcome.

Unfortunately, she suspected they believed it for entirely different reasons.