2. Antonio
Antonio
Despite Paradise’s idyllic views and gorgeous weather, relaxation rarely came easily to Antonio.
His friends called him high-strung. He called it dedication.
Even after long hours spent searching for a missing hiker in the picturesque trails crisscrossing the island, staying home felt impossible.
By midday, Antonio found himself driving out to sea with a cooler full of beer and nothing but the horizon in his view.
Time alone on the ocean blue was about as close to resting as Antonio got.
He sat on the back of the motorboat, feet hanging off the edge, with a beer in hand and watched the sparse clouds float by.
Sometimes there were animals to see. The water around Paradise was filled with vibrant life.
Just as the island herself was filled with people and animals of every type.
The distress call was made in a cheerful tone, certainly not the kind Antonio was used to hearing. No panic, no profanity, just a calm mayday hail regarding a stalled engine. It was pure muscle memory that had him reaching for the radio without a thought. He could let someone else handle it…
But how often did he get a chance to meet a member of the Wilde family?
It was just curiosity. That’s what had him pushing the Sleeping Siren to her max speeds and cutting around the corner of the island to reach the stalled boat as quickly as possible.
The Turtle Top was easy to spot. A white shape on the vast ocean, a small fishing rig.
He wasn’t sure what he expected. Divers, researchers, maybe even a film crew?
The Wilde family had been in several shark documentaries, but the stalled ship held nothing of the sort.
Just a smiling red head in a frond patterned green swimsuit and oversized sunglasses that slipped down his nose when he smiled.
When he invited Lucky Wilde to join him during the trip back to port, he genuinely expected to be turned down.
That was his only excuse for why his heart rate spiked when Lucky agreed and accepted his hand to cross between vessels.
The nostalgic scent of saltwater taffy made his mouth water.
Buttery vanilla and a hint coconut that reminded him of eating himself sick on a bucket of the freshly made candy during the annual fair.
Antonio stepped up to the helm and pressed the engine harder than necessary just to clear his head. With the crisp breeze caused by their speed, he could claw back some of the self-control he was supposedly known for.
“So, I have to ask, you’re Lucky Wilde as in the son of Teague Wilde, right? I saw him during Shark Week last year.” Conversation was a great distraction.
Lucky had tucked himself into the passenger seat right beside the helm. The omega pulled one leg onto the seat, resting his chin on his knee as the wind tugged at auburn curls. “One and the same. If you’re hoping for an autograph, I’m sorry to disappoint, but I’m not the famous one.”
The words were teasing but there was something tense in the omega’s tone that wasn’t there before. Fame was a sensitive topic. His own curiosity had won out, but he hadn’t intended to make Lucky uncomfortable.
“No disappointment here. Just fascinated by the work you and your family do… Were you researching something specific today?” Antonio kept his tone light, easy and relaxed. Just casual chatter. He watched Lucky out of the corner of his eye, relieved as Lucky’s shoulders relaxed.
“I went on a swim with some orcas that are migrating through. The fact that I found them so easily supports early evidence that the reintroduction of the Paradise monk seal is attracting them.” Lucky sat up, a certain spark appearing in blue eyes as his sunglasses slipped down his nose.
“The marine center had been working on increasing the seal population since before I was born and we’re finally seeing some real progress.
They are still endangered but they’re getting better and every little bit counts.
Increased reports of orca sightings along with a notable jump in pup count supports our efforts and provides great information on how migratory paths change due to things like access to food. ”
Lucky’s smile turned apologetic as he pushed his sunglasses back up. “Sorry, I ramble a lot.”
Antonio shook his head, “That’s fascinating.
I knew about the ‘save the local seals’ initiatives but I didn’t realize that could impact something like orca sightings…
” He rubbed his jaw, thinking. “I suppose I should expect an uptick in whale sighting tours, shouldn’t I?
” There were always one or two tourists who did something ridiculous…
Like trying to pet things they shouldn’t.
“If you’re thinking about tourists getting eaten, the orcas aren’t the culprits to worry about.
Though I can’t promise there won’t be any seal bites in the coming years.
The pups are cute, but their mothers are still carnivores.
” Lucky’s laugh was light as he leaned back in the seat.
Antonio watched him stretch an arm over the side of the boat, enjoying the sea spray.
“I think the local paramedics will be able to resolve those, so long as they don’t strand themselves somewhere unexpected.” He paused, “Though now that I just said that it’s likely to happen. If not the orcas, who do I have to worry about eating the tourists?”
“The usual suspects. Tiger sharks have had more frequent sightings over the last few years… Dad is thrilled about that, the hotels less so. As for what might eat them on land, well, I’m still waiting to hear about a murderous mongoose.”
Antonio snorted, “Don’t speak that into the world, the last thing I want to deal with is pulling a tourist out of the jungle while they panic about rabies.”
“Speaking of rescues, you’re pretty well known yourself, Antonio. A local hero, savior of tourists and islanders alike… You and your crew make the evening news often.” Antonio got the distinct impression Lucky was teasing him.
“My reputation precedes me. Though if we’re weighing impact, I think your family has us beat.” He was rewarded with another laugh from Lucky.
It was a warm sound, like talking to a friend even though this was their very first meeting.
He wanted to hear it again. Antonio was almost embarrassed by his reaction to the beautiful omega.
He could blame the beer, he could blame being off duty and more relaxed than he had been in two weeks, he could even blame the length of time since his last romantic encounter…
But they all felt like weak excuses when Lucky took off his sunglasses and flashed those gorgeous blue eyes at him.
Lucky looked comfortable at sea. From the faint tan that clung to his otherwise pale skin and deepened the freckles blossoming over his shoulders and cheeks, to the wind knots in his auburn curls.
“If you’re trying to charm me, Captain Saavedra, I promise you don’t need to flatter me so much.” Lucky cleaned the salt spray from the lenses before slipping them back on.
“Unfortunately, you’ll find I’m sincere.” He shrugged, “We spend a lot of weird hours waiting for calls at the station. Animal documentaries are a favorite amongst the on-call crew, especially overnight. Some like them for sleeping, I like them for learning. As for charming you…”
He trailed off. Did he want to charm this omega? There were boundaries involved in rescue. He knew the idol worship that happened sometimes, and he knew it could be tempting to flirt during a high stress situation. But this wasn’t a real rescue, it was just a relaxed tow to the marina…
“As for it?” Lucky prompted. It was impossible to ignore the mischievous twist to his smile.
“I’m certainly tempted.” Antonio grinned, “Especially if I get to listen to more of your rambles about the local wildlife.”
Laughter really was a wonderful sound. “That’s a first. Most people grow tired of my endless animal facts.” Lucky shifted in the seat, turning fully towards him. “What would you like to hear about?”
Where to start? Antonio loved Paradise. He loved the island with all her creatures, her dense jungle, her sapphire sea, and her vibrant pink beaches.
When it came to marine creatures though, his knowledge stopped at how to address the various wounds tourists might get while interacting with the wildlife.
“I have always wanted to learn more about the various rays that live around Paradise. What can you tell me about them?” He slowed the boat down slightly. There was no reason to hurry, not when he had such lovely company…
“Rays, is it?” Lucky tapped his chin, “There’s twenty-ish different species of rays in these waters. That’s a lot of talking to do.”
“Well, there are beers in the cooler, if you get thirsty while filling me in.” Antonio nodded towards the back of the boat.
His reward was more warm laughter, and he didn’t mind that at all. Lucky took the invitation. He stretched over the back of the seat, rifling through the cooler as Antonio dutifully kept his eyes on the vast ocean in front of them and not on the soft thighs of his impromptu companion.
“We’ll start with a personal favorite of mine, the manta ray.” Lucky announced as he reclaimed his proper seat and cracked open the can of beer.
Antonio was certain there was no better way to spend a day off.