Chapter 7
Margie informedus we’re having a photoshoot with some turtles. I have the camera ready. I already have a vision for how this should look and what we could do to help promote more tourism in Magnolia Bay and at Hayes Resorts. Shelly Myrtle is here, the turtle conservationist. It seems her and Ava have already hit it off. They’re laughing and talking animatedly. However, when Margie claps her hands together to get everyone’s attention, they immediately stop.
“Let’s hurry up and get this done, yeah? Everyone, this is Miss Shelly Myrtle. Thank you again for helping us. Van? You ready?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I pick up the camera and adjust the focus, then I adjust myself for a better angle with the sun’s light. After a few shots, I walk over and reposition a few of the turtles and the mermaids. “Miss Shelly, why don’t you step in?”
“Me?” Her eyes widen in shock.
“Yes. How about next to Ava. Lift one of the turtles.” My words come out bossier than I intended. “Please?”
I wildly click the camera, then walk over and adjust the turtles again. The sun is beating down, and sweat gathers on the back of my neck, which is my sign to hurry before everyone gets cranky.
“I hope a turtle bites his dick off.”
I glare at Ava as Shelly snickers but immediately looks ashamed at being caught. Ava only meets my sour look with a cocked brow. We don’t have time for bickering, so I ignore her remark and return to my position.
After a few more clicks, I show Margie the photos. I’m completely satisfied with them, but here, I’m the photographer and not Mr. Hayes of Hayes Resorts. She studies the photos but then calls to Liam and hands him the camera. My heart sinks.
“These are wonderful, but I have an idea. Van, I want you on the other side of Ava.”
Oh, hell no.
While I keep my thought to myself, Ava does the opposite. “Anybody but him.”
Margie looks shocked. “Ava, really. This is so unlike you.”
“I’ll move. I’ll trade places?—”
“Nonsense,” Margie scolds her, but not in the manner of her boss or superior, more like a loving grandmother.
I hesitate only for a moment, because Margie loudly clears her throat. I hop to it and position myself between Ava and the fucking turtle and other mermaid. I feel ridiculous.
“None of us are enjoying this,” Ava hisses at me. “Stop sulking.”
“You love the camera. Don’t even try to deny it.”
Ava scoffs. “I liked you better when you were mysterious.”
“Mysterious?”
“When I didn’t realize what a complete idiot you are.”
The sweet floral scent of her goes straight to my dick. I can’t stand that, even now, I find myself fantasizing about all the ways I could quiet that smart mouth. Why does she have to be so fucking beautiful and witty? I swear she’s finding ways to tempt me on purpose at every photoshoot. In reality, I know that’s just her. Beautiful. Genuine. Kind—well, to everyone except me. The way her eyes stare back at me like she’s begging for me to toss the camera and come to her. I can feel her gaze in the depths of my soul. Then I have to remember she’s not even looking at me; she’s looking at the camera. I’m seeing what I want to see. Yet every time I still get goose bumps.
“Everyone look here,” Liam calls out. After about a minute, he shows Margie the camera.
There’s sweet relief when she smiles and nods. “I think we got it. Thank you, everyone.”
Maisy comes over to me and invites me for a drink. We’ve still not gone past sharing a few drinks—not for her lack of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, it’s me putting on the breaks.
“Actually, I’m working tonight.”
“After?”
“We’ll see. I don’t want to make any promises.” Another issue is I got paid, or rather turned around and handed my check back in. I barely had anything left after the tab I’d run up. What I did have left was spent at the taco truck. I have Ava to thank for that. She kept going on about those damn tacos, and she wasn’t exaggerating. As soon as this bet is over, I’m going over there with my precious credit card and buying twenty tacos. The entire day will just be me eating tacos.
* * *
The groupof guys on the boat tour are hands down the most obnoxious people. They’re college-aged preppy boys. Every other word is “bruh” or “fuck, man.” It’s taking every ounce of self-control I have not to scream at them to just please shut the fuck up. They’re also being extremely inappropriate with their comments about the mermaids swimming around.
When the boat docks, I hop off and hurry ahead to be ready for photos. Ava is there waiting—or rather, Nerine.
“Heads up, you’ve got some real winners coming up,” I warn her.
“I’ve dealt with worse. Like you, for example.”
“Nope. These guys make me likable.”
“Whoa. They must really be charmers.”
I adjust the lens on my camera and look through it again to make sure my focus and lighting is ready. She’s stunning, with that little smirk playing on her lips. The sound of male voices approaching suddenly has me anxious.
I bring the camera down and tell her in a somber voice, “I mean it, Ava. These guys are real assholes. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, I’m here for you.”
Her lips part and she looks taken aback. “Thanks,” she whispers. She’s still frowning, and the little crease in her forehead is adorable. I quickly snap a photo. As they approach, I remind her again.
“I’m on your side. Seriously.”
Their eyes move in appreciation over her body. Immediately, I’m tense and uneasy about this.
“Hello! I’m Nerine! Welcome!” Ava gracefully waves using her whole arm. “We’re so excited to have you join us!”
“I bet not as excited as I am right now.” The crude bastard has the nerve to grab himself in front of her.
“Nope. No way, buddy.” I’m on my feet and standing between him and Ava before any of them even get a chance to utter another word.
The guys burst out laughing. “Uh-oh. Think the photographer has a boner for the mermaid.”
“Man, I thought the pirates are the ones chasing the booty.”
“Well, this is the hottest one. Her hair is pink. Think anything else she has is pink as well?”
My fingers clinch into fists. A gentle hand touches my arm. I turn to look behind me to find Ava slowly shaking her head. This is the last boat tour. We’re done. I’ll deal with the consequences later.
“Tour’s over,” I tell them. “Go back to the boat.”
The guy steps directly in my face. “But we want our photo.”
In a deadly calm voice, I whisper, “You touch her, and I will see to it that you are banned from all Hayes Resorts and their associated partners.”
They snicker, assuming it’s an empty threat. Before they can get comfortable around Ava, I personally position them for the photo, ensuring she isn’t being touched by any of them whatsoever.
As they walk away, I discretely take a photo of their name registration and the university name on his shirt. If he’s still in school, he won’t be after I make a phone call. The Hayes name holds a lot of power, and I’m about to abuse it. Of course, this won’t be going against the rules of the bet.
“You had no place to step in like that!” Ava is jerking her mermaid tail off. She tosses it onto the ground and stomps toward me in her bikini bottoms. “I’ve handled customers like that! Did you get off on having some authority? Was it a power trip? Did you think you were rescuing me?”
I don’t think. I’ve been so desperate for her lips, and we’re out here in the dark. Nobody is around. I take her by the shoulders and bring her body against mine. A gentleman would verbally ask for permission to kiss her, but I only pause at her lips. In those stunned five seconds, she doesn’t move, and I’m not wasting another second. I go for it and steal a kiss from the woman I vowed to not get involved with. She might not remember our kiss from before, but I’m going to make sure she never forgets this one.
It was real all those years ago. It wasn’t just lust, raging hormones, and alcohol. Pleasure shoots throughout my body as my eager hands pull her closer to me, crushing her body against mine. I can’t get enough. Her sweet lips finally part, only the slightest bit but it’s enough to allow my tongue entrance. Trembling delicate hands begin to travel along my waist and back, but then she brings them to firmly grip the waistband of my pants and pushes me back.
No. That’s the wrong way.
Why isn’t she pulling me closer? Or better yet, pulling my pants down…
I release her and follow her lead to take a step back. This could go either two ways: she’s going to start undressing and we’re going to have sex out here in the open, or she’s going to be pissed and throw sand in my eyes. I’ll accept either one, but I prefer she show me what’s under those seashells.
“That was intense.” Her voice comes out throaty, and it’s beyond the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard. I swallow but can’t speak, so I nod like a fool. It was intense and I’m eager to get back to it. “I—I need to go.”
“Do you need me to follow?” Ouch. That sounded super creepy. “Follow you, I mean.” Not any better. “Chaperone you. Guide you. Escort you back to your… room.”
Ava’s eyebrows are high, and she tilts her head and looks at me slack-jawed. “That was painful to witness.”
“I’m nervous, I’m sorry! I’m standing here with the biggest hard-on of my life, trying to do right by offering you a ride or helping you get back to where you need to go, but I’m suffering from lack of oxygen, or all the blood has gone to one appendage and I can’t focus on anything other than the taste of you.” By the time I finish my verbal vomit, I’m panting, but luckily my erection is simmering down. It seems I’m destined to make a fool of myself anytime I’m around her.
She slowly walks over to retrieve her tail. Her movements are cautious—I guess as not to spook me. With her back to me, she speaks. “You remind me of someone, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.”
Jealousy begins to eat at me. I remind her of someone? Was she imagining him while kissing me? Every woman I’ve kissed since her has been forgotten about. They couldn’t even take room in my mind. Nobody could compare to her, yet I’ve not only been forgotten but I remind her of someone she’s not ready to replace or forget.
As if this isn’t mortifying enough, my voice cracks when I speak. “Sure. Okay. You know, that kiss was a mistake.”
“Van.”
I turn and begin walking, but her footsteps follow me.
“Hey! Hey, asshole!”
“That’s all you know to do is throw asshole or dickhead around. For someone who hates to be called names, you sure do dish them out.”
Ava comes to stand in front of me, cutting me off from my path. “I have to have something to call you! You won’t even tell anyone your last name. Think I haven’t picked up on that? You’re secretive and I don’t trust that in a person. You expect me to jump all over when I don’t even know anything about you, including your name! Do you know how insulting that is? Do you even care?”
Her eyes search my face. I hope she sees remorse, because I do feel guilty. I’m not proud of how I behaved. What can I tell her is my last name? Should I confess everything? My hands reach out for her, but she knocks them away.
Ava turns her back and runs off. I follow after her, and passing guests and employees watch us with a mixture of confusion and concern. She reaches the pool area and bar when the air is knocked out of my lungs. My ribs throb as I hit the ground and am crushed under the weight of a warm, solid body.
“Why was Ava in tears and running?” Alexi growls in my ear.
“We had an argument. I was a dick. I’m trying to apologize,” I wheeze.
The playful party boy’s voice turns cold. “Did you try anything with her?”
“Tried, yes. It feels like I’m always trying and failing. I’m a complete dumbass when it comes to her.”
My answer must appease his rage, because he slowly raises up. “Hurt her, and it’ll be the last dumbass thing you.”