Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
JULES
Sunlight dappled the ocean floor around me, casting shimmering patterns across a coral reef teeming with life.
Eli and I were diving near Sunset Siesta’s beach on the small reef that stretched just offshore.
Schools of neon-bright fish darted between swaying sea fans and intricate coral formations.
My heart hummed inside my chest. I still couldn’t get over that I was breathing underwater, surrounded by this aquatic paradise.
Despite my turmoil at the time, agreeing to move up our check-out dives had been the best decision I’d made all week.
In fact, my hesitancy was now a distant memory, replaced by the very real present.
We were midway through our fourth and final ocean dive, and I only had one more skill to demonstrate.
I glanced at Eli, his powerful form gliding effortlessly beside me.
He flashed me an encouraging okay signal and gestured toward a broad sandy patch.
I nodded, recalling the final skill I needed to demonstrate.
Carefully, I adjusted my buoyancy, hovering just above the rippled bottom without touching it.
After catching Eli’s deliberate nod of approval, we settled on the white sand on our knees, facing each other.
My fingers trembled slightly as I removed my regulator and let it fall to my side, but I forced myself to remain calm.
One… two… three… I counted silently before replacing it and clearing it with a forceful exhale.
Relief flooded through me as I took a deep, easy breath.
Eli applauded me. He scrawled on his dive slate.
Perfect form! You’re a natural.
I flushed at his praise. As we continued exploring the reef, I found myself mesmerized not just by our spectacular surroundings, but by Eli himself.
He moved through the water with a fluid grace that I envied.
When a graceful sea turtle swam past, Eli’s entire being lit up with wonder.
He gestured excitedly, pointing out how the turtle’s flippers propelled it effortlessly through the water.
I saw him with new eyes now. Here was a man utterly in his element, radiating competence and passion. It was magnetic. Eli caught me staring and raised an eyebrow. I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to be fascinated by a nearby tube sponge.
A flash of vivid blue and yellow caught my eye.
Two queen angelfish, each a foot across, flitted near a coral outcropping, their movements mesmerizing.
The turquoise crown surrounding the top of their heads gave the stunning fish their name, while the mottled, bright yellow and blue body hardly seemed real.
I tapped Eli’s shoulder and pointed. He scribbled on his dive slate:
Courtship dance. Watch.
The pair of fish circled each other in an intricate ballet, their fins flaring in dazzling displays. As they twirled and swooped, I marveled at the beauty of their dance and how few people got to experience something like this.
I smiled around my regulator, enjoying myself immensely as my eyes met Eli’s. He gestured forward, and we swam on. The reef began to thin, giving way to scattered coral heads. Then, suddenly, the seafloor dropped away entirely. Deep below, hazy white sand shimmered like a mirage.
My breath caught. The sheer magnitude of the ocean stretched out before us, beautiful and terrifying all at once.
I felt small, insignificant… and utterly alive.
A sudden movement caught my eye. Eli grabbed my arm, his touch sending a jolt through me even through the wetsuit. He pointed into the blue expanse, his eyes wide.
Three diamond shapes glided into view, their movements effortless and graceful. Eagle rays. Their wingspans must have been at least six feet across, their bodies sleek and beautiful. They soared through the water, undulating in perfect synchronization with long tails following behind.
I turned to Eli, goose bumps rising on my arms beneath my wetsuit.
He met my gaze, his eyes sparkling with shared wonder.
In that moment, words weren’t necessary.
The beauty surrounding us, the thrill of discovery, we were experiencing it together and forging a connection deeper than I’d thought possible.
As we began our ascent toward shore, my mind reeled.
The dive had been nothing short of magical, and yet I’d almost not gone through with the class.
Would I have had this experience with a different instructor, as I’d originally wanted?
I doubted it. Eli’s patience, his passion for the ocean, the way he’d put me at ease throughout my training.
It all coalesced into a realization I couldn’t ignore.
I had feelings for him.
Real, heart-pounding, stomach-fluttering feelings that went far beyond mere physical attraction.
But as we broke the surface and stood in the shallows, pure joy overcame me. I pulled off my mask, grinning widely. “That was incredible!”
Eli’s answering smile was radiant as he gave me a gallant bow. “Welcome to the underwater world, Jules. You’re officially a diver now.”
“Thanks for being so patient with me,” I said, softer now. “I was a bit of a mess on the first dive.”
“Nah, no more than anyone else their first time in the water. It’s a pretty unique skill and something that takes time. You were great by the fourth dive.”
I laughed, the sound blending with the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. “I really appreciate you, Eli. You make this whole diving thing feel easy.”
“That’s the goal.” His tone was serious now, yet still warm. “You deserve to enjoy it. Everyone should have a little wonder in their lives.”
“Especially when surrounded by all that,” I added, motioning to the ocean, the sun’s reflection dancing on the surface. “I had no idea we’d get so close to the fish!”
“Exactly. I’ve got the best job in the world.”
As we waded back to shore, I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at him.
The way the water droplets clung to his eyelashes, how his muscles rippled with each stride, was intoxicating.
As my feet touched dry sand, I didn’t want this moment to end.
For once, I wasn’t thinking about spreadsheets or resort renovations.
I was simply happy.
I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face even though the sudden reappearance of gravity made the kit I was wearing awkward and heavy as we trudged up the beach toward the shore diving shack.
Salt-and-pepper sand clung to our neoprene booties.
I’d always loved the beach here—the mix of colors made it unique as well as soft and luxurious.
“Let’s get this gear off,” Eli said, already unclipping his BCD.
I nodded, fumbling with my own straps. As I peeled off my wetsuit, I caught Eli doing the same out of the corner of my eye. He was all hard muscle and sun-kissed skin, with a smattering of freckles across his shoulders.
“Not bad for an accountant, huh?” I quipped, attempting to mask the heat flooding my cheeks.
“Not bad at all. I enjoy this new side of you.” Eli grinned and pointed with his chin at the empty pier. “Next step is getting you on Sunset Diver. You can join one of our regular trips.”
“Maybe I will.”
“Seriously, Jules. You were great out there.” Eli’s tone shifted, earnestness lurking behind the banter. “You really took to it.”
“Thanks.” The warmth of his praise washed over me. It wasn’t just the compliment. It was how effortlessly he put me at ease, coaxing out this playful spirit I’d buried under layers of work and responsibility. “I couldn’t have done it without your… charm.”
“Charm is my specialty.” He winked, and now I didn’t find a thing annoying about it.
I hesitated, then decided to throw caution to the wind. “I’m appreciating this new side of you as well.”
“Oh yeah?” His voice deepened as his eyes became serious. “And what side would that be?”
I met his gaze, hyper-aware of how close we were standing. “The patient teacher. The passionate diver. The man who sees beauty in the world and wants to share it.”
He took a step closer. “Careful, there. Keep talking like that, and I might start to think you actually like me.”
I laughed, but it came out breathier than I intended. “Because I do. I mean, we’re friends now, right?”
My eyes darted around, and I realized how secluded we were. The dive shack screened us from view. A thrill of anticipation coursed through me.
Eli’s lips lifted in a half-smile. “Friends. Is that what we are?”
I stepped closer, feeling the heat radiating from him. “Of course. I’m glad we’ve moved past… you know. That kiss.” I waved my hand dismissively as if it hadn’t been seared into my memory. “Clearly a mistake. Water under the bridge.”
“Clearly,” Eli agreed. He reached out, his fingers ghosting along my cheek. I leaned into his touch. “We’re much better off not getting involved.”
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. All I could focus on was the warmth of his skin against mine, the way his eyes had darkened to the color of a storm-tossed sea.
“Absolutely,” I whispered, not even believing myself anymore. “Nothing more than friends.”
I leaned in closer, my lips brushing his jaw as I rested a hand on his shoulder. “Besides, workplace romances are forbidden here, aren’t they?”
He was completely still, his skin warm and smooth beneath my fingers. The words hung between us, both a warning and a dare. I pulled back slightly, searching Eli’s face. The expression in his eyes made my knees weak.
“Absolutely forbidden,” Eli murmured, his voice low and rough. He stepped forward to obliterate what little space remained between us. “Good thing we don’t need to worry about that.”
Before I could respond, he lowered his head to cover my lips with his.
All thoughts of rules and consequences evaporated as I melted against him.
My arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer.
His mouth was hot, demanding as our tongues slid against each other.
It felt so good. I lost myself in the kiss, in the feel of Eli’s strong arms around me, in the intoxicating blend of salt and sun that clung to his skin.
Finally, we had to break apart to breathe. Eli rested his forehead against mine, his eyes closed as he tried to catch his breath.
“We probably shouldn’t do this,” he murmured, but it lacked conviction.
“I know,” I whispered back.
Before I knew what was happening, he grabbed my ponytail and yanked my head back. His lips crashed into mine and we were lost in each other once more. Everything else faded away as I leaned back against the dive shack. I ran my hands down Eli’s chest, drowning in the heat radiating between us.
And my inhibitions evaporated.
I pressed my lips to his ear, my entire body thrumming. “Eli. I want you. Now.”
He stiffened, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. His eyes widened, surprise and hunger swirling in their depths. “Here? Now?”