Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
It was late the next morning, and the sun was already high and brilliant, spilling over the glittering lagoon like molten silver.
Tessa adjusted the strap on her bikini top but kept her gaze peeled on the scenery as the catamaran cruised, its sails high.
Russ and Malik were both busy, maintaining their speed.
The water was impossibly clear, a patchwork of blues and greens so vivid it hardly looked real. Towering volcanic peaks rose from another island in the distance, swathed in lush green and mist at the top. She gazed at it, shaking her head, almost in disbelief at the sheer sight.
Rainforest volcanic peaks loomed in the distance, postcard-perfect. The girls were gathered on the bow with second cups of iced coffee in hand, hair up, sunhats and sunglasses on, soaking in the kind of morning that didn’t seem to belong to real life.
Tessa sipped slowly, letting the cold coffee settle the fluttering in her chest. Her lips still tingled from the kisses she and Russ had shared last night. Real, breathtaking, long-awaited kisses, as well as the quiet heart-to-heart conversation, of which she craved more.
She smiled, lost in her thoughts. The way his hand had curled around hers. The plans they’d made—to figure out how to do this, even if they had to keep it quiet.
She was reeling.
A little terrified. But happy.
But she couldn’t tell anyone. Not yet.
Not even Marin or Jenna or Avery, who stood on either side of her at the bow, wind tugging at their swimsuit coverups and hair.
“Would you look at those bungalows?” Jenna said, raising her phone for another photo.
They were gliding past a resort on the island of Taha’a, where the iconic Tahitian over-water villas fanned out like a necklace over the lagoon, each one perched on stilts with a private deck and a thatched roof.
“I could stay in one of those for a month,” Marin said, squinting through her sunglasses. “With Kyle. Preferably with room service and no obligations.”
“You just had a honeymoon,” Tessa teased. “Need another one already?”
“Yes, please.” Marin grinned.
“One night,” Jenna said. “That’s all I’d need. Champagne. Bubble bath. Zero interruptions. And Drew.”
They all laughed. “Funny how Drew came last on your list,” teased Avery.
Jenna laughed, blushing. “I saved the best for last. ”
They all laughed again.
Tessa gazed at the villas with a dreamy look she couldn’t help. All she could think about was sitting in one of those rooms with Russ. Just the two of them. The curtains pulled open to the stars.
“Hey,” said Marin, nudging her lightly. “On that note, what’s up with Captain Hotstuff and you?”
Tessa blinked and felt her cheeks warming. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb,” Jenna said, lowering her camera. “You two have been circling each other like dolphins for days.”
Tessa looked around, subtly. No Jules. No Malik. Russ was up at the helm, but he couldn’t have heard them.
She dropped her voice anyway. “Nothing’s going on. I mean, yes, I like him. He’s super sweet. But it’s just a crush. I know I’m only here for a week, so I’m keeping my hands to myself. Heart safe.”
The other girls exchanged looks.
“You sure about that?” Marin asked doubtfully.
“Positive,” Tessa said with a convincing nod.
She hated lying to her best friends. But if she told them the truth, they’d start whispering and giggling and asking questions when they thought no one was listening, and it wouldn’t take long before someone overheard.
And Russ’s job? His career? They were both on the line. He’d told her that himself. She’d promised.
So, she smiled and sipped her coffee and let her friends believe the lie .
“I’m good,” she said again. “It’s just a little harmless flirting. That’s it.”
They seemed to buy it, for now, and went back to enjoying the view.
She turned back to face the island, heart full and aching all at once. She’d tell them everything the minute they were on the plane. And that was only in a few days.
For now, she had a promise to keep.
And a man worth keeping it for.
Russ set the anchor and shut off the engine, stretching slightly as the catamaran settled into place in the calm blue water.
The sun was blazing overhead, casting heat off the deck, but the breeze carried just enough coolness to keep it from becoming uncomfortable.
He and Malik had brought in the sails already, and he was ready for a short break.
He wandered around the boat with a mug of coffee in hand, doing his usual rounds.
He’d already seen the girls out on the bow in bikinis and sun hats.
He’d left them to it, not wanting to intrude, but he hadn’t missed a peek at the way Tessa’s curves filled out her suit so perfectly. He smiled and moved on.
Out back, the guys were deep in the middle of a poker game. Someone tossed a joke about how Kyle was about to lose again.
“Captain!” Drew called when he saw him. “You in?”
Russ laughed. “Only if you want me to win. ”
They groaned in good humor and waved him off. He shook his head and kept walking, a smile tugging at his lips that he couldn’t seem to shake. He stopped next to chat with Malik, who was gathering fins and masks and snorkels from below for the afternoon’s excursion.
Russ hadn’t slept much last night. Not because of the usual watch shifts or anchor noise.
Because of her .
Kissing Tessa had been... perfect. Electric and quiet and full of meaning. He could still feel the curve of her hand against his cheek, the sound of her voice under the stars. Just thinking about it sent his heart into an inconvenient stutter.
He slipped into the galley where Jules was prepping ingredients, her knife moving expertly through a mound of mango.
“Well, hey, Sunshine,” she said pleasantly when she saw the smile on his face.
“Hey, there, Jules.” She stopped to study him as he put away a few clean knives and plates that sat on the drying rack. “You’re in a great mood today, aren’t you? Did you win the lottery last night, or what?”
Russ grinned. It felt like he had. “Nah, just having a good day. Is that against the rules?”
Jules raised an eyebrow but didn’t press for more information.
The less she knew, the better off she was. “Need a hand?” he asked.
She motioned toward a pile of limes. “Squeeze those for the dressing if you’ve got five minutes. ”
He got to work, the tangy citrus bursting in his hands, sticky and fragrant.
He shouldn’t be this distracted. His mind should be on crew logistics, tide shifts, guest safety. But what was wrong with a little happiness in paradise?
The boat was anchored. The skies were clear.
The guests were smiling. He’d already checked the tide, the catamaran’s controls, and everything else on his list for a Thursday on charter.
Everything was on schedule and in place.
The forecast wasn’t even supposed to change for the next seven days. More clear skies.
The only change was in him. Because he felt like something inside of him had finally woken up after a very, very long slumber.
“What’s on the menu for lunch?” he asked casually.
Jules didn’t look up. “Grilled Mahi with mango and papaya salsa. Keeping it light since you’re taking them snorkeling again, right?”
“Yep,” he said. “ And this is one of my favorite stops.”
He paused, drying his hands, then remembered something else he’d meant to mention. “Hey, speaking of that—Tessa’s birthday is Saturday. You think you could whip up something sweet for her that night before we go ashore for the beach thing?”
Jules beamed. “You got it, boss. Say no more.”
Russ grinned and stepped back out onto the deck, squinting up at the bright sky.
By midday, the Latitude had reached another lagoon, which stretched in every direction, like liquid turquoise, broken only by patches of shallow reef and scattered coral heads. Everyone was excited, including Tessa, although she was also harboring her usual doubts.
Russ had explained that the plan was for Malik to ferry the group out to the reef in two trips—four people at a time, including Russ, who’d be guiding them this time. Tessa waited on deck with Avery, Marin, and Kyle, while the others were already out there.
Russ seemed to have been in his element today, relaxed but focused, going over safety reminders with them all before the first group headed out. She’d tried not to stare at the perfectly formed muscles of his bare shoulders and chest as he’d explained what they’d be doing.
She’d had him all to herself last night. She could still hardly believe it. He was just so… well, everything. Patient, kind, protective. So much more than she’d ever had.
Would she get another chance to be alone with him tonight? She didn’t want to get him in trouble, but her heart—and her arms, and her mouth—longed for more. She sighed.
When the dinghy reached the reef, Malik turned to her and grinned. “You got this today, Tessa. Don’t overthink it. The captain will be out there with you, and I’m right here with the boat if you need me.”
Malik had been paying attention all week, apparently. It was nice to hear he was on her side, too .
He tossed the anchor, and it hit the water with a satisfying splash.
Tessa looked at Marin, who gave her a reassuring smile before she hopped into the water.
Tessa tightened her fins and nodded, checking the cut on her leg, which had completely dried and closed up.
She wouldn’t be attracting sharks or any other predators today, and she’d keep an eye out for sharp coral before she swam over it. “Okay. Yes. I’ve got this.”
Malik gave her a thumbs-up. “Thanks,” she said, smiling warmly. His lips parted, curling up on one side, and she hopped in.
The water was cooler than she’d expected, and for a second, her breath caught.
She would’ve never dared this a week ago, but with Russ out there guiding them, everything felt safer. Possible.
With a few firm kicks, she followed the others, with Avery at the front. Dipping her face underwater, everything else fell away.
In just a few seconds, they found Russ and the others. “Hey,” said Russ, surfacing. “You made it.”
She smiled from under her mask and snorkel, then nodded. She was doing this. She was just like everyone else now. And she was loving it.
He greeted the others and pointed. “Look down there.”
The reef stretched out beneath them, deep, but teeming with life. Parrotfish darted through coral arches, and a sea turtle glided smoothly below. Tessa’s eyes widened. So much color. So much movement. So many things she’d only seen on television or online. It was incredible.
As Tessa and the group swam about, faces underwater, Russ pointed to the ocean floor about thirty feet below, and they all adjusted their gazes.
If her mouth hadn’t already been firmly fixed around the snorkel, it would’ve dropped open.
Because there, below them, an enormous school of spotted eagle rays moved in slow, fluid formation across the sandy bottom.
They glided as one, like dancers performing a perfectly synchronized ballet, their wingtips nearly brushing the sea floor.
Tessa blinked behind her mask, momentarily stunned. It was the most breathtaking thing she’d ever seen in real life. Thank goodness she hadn’t bailed on this outing. She would’ve missed it. And if it weren’t for Russ cheering her on all week, believing in her, she just might’ve opted out.
Russ motioned for them to follow the rays, gesturing for the group to spread out slightly and give the animals their space. When the others began swimming ahead, he stayed back with her.
They paused together when she needed to surface and breathe, treading water, which was actually easier than she’d imagined—despite the deep water that had worried her—as long as she was wearing the fins.
“You okay?” Russ asked, pulling his mask up over his head with one hand.
Tessa nodded and tugged hers over her hair, beaming. “I’m more than okay. This is... incredible.”
“Glad you think so. You’re doing great. ”
Those eyes. They saw her. For who she was and who she wanted to be.
She glanced around. “I’m not scared,” she said quietly, surprised by how true it felt. “I thought I would be, but... I’m not.”
A satisfied expression settled across his face, and her heart warmed all over again. It was all because of him. Or, at least, because of what he’d given her this week—patience when she’d needed it, kindness, consideration.
The moment hovered, quiet and real as the saltwater sparkled between them. The others were still paddling a short distance away, laughing, diving under, pointing at something in the coral. Malik and the dinghy were now a fair distance away.
Tessa gazed at him as she treaded. “You made me believe in myself.”
He made her feel like someone who could take the leap, not just watch from the sidelines. Like maybe this braver version of herself had always been there, just waiting to be noticed.
They didn’t have to say anything else. The water gently rocked them in place as his eyes locked on hers. Just the two of them, suspended in paradise.