Page 146 of Damaged

We’re just looking around, but not for anything in particular. We’re testing our scuba skills. Getting used to being in the water. It’s still warm this shallow, and the sea is beautiful from below. Bright corals dance in the sun. Fish pass, some as bright as jungle birds, but most shine like silver knives.

After several minutes, I suddenly pause when I see what looks like the corner of a wooden box sticking up out of the sand.

I’m not expecting to make any groundbreaking finds here, but I can’t help but point excitedly. It’s something that the countless other treasure hunters who have been here before us missed.

James and I surround it and together paw it out of the sand. It’s a small, wooden crate, about the size of a shoe box, and I can see through the slates that there’s something inside. James gestures for us to surface, and I agree. We ascend, climb the swim ladder, and I set down the box. We both rip off our swim goggles.

“Ten minutes, and you’re already a pro,” James says and nudges me playfully in the ribs.

“What is it?” I ask, looking at the box.

“I don’t know.” James crouches down to inspect it. “Lost gold?” he says as a joke. But a part of me really does believe.

I bend down next to him and lift a little piece of rusted metal. One side of the wood box falls open, and wet sand spillsout. Something green glistens, half buried. I pull it out and brush it off.

“Oh my God,” I say.

“What?” James perks up, trying to see what I have.

“It’s an artifact.” I show him what I hold. It’s a green glass bottle. The phantom of a Mountain Dew logo from what must have been the seventies can still be seen, just barely.

I grin, and so does James as he reaches for it.

“Wow,” he says, taking it in his hand. “They don’t make these anymore, you know that?”

He reaches back into the box. “There’s more,” he says.

Old Mountain Dew bottles in a crab trap. That was today’s treasure. But I couldn’t care less what we found. We’re laughing together as we strip off our gear.

James rubs my shoulders. “A successful first dive, I’d say.”

“I agree.” I turn over my shoulder and glance up into his green eyes. His hair drips. The drops run all down his golden, muscled skin. “How should we celebrate?”

“Hmm. I only have one idea how to do that.” He starts taking my weight belt off. Then the tank. Soon my gear is in a heap and topped with my swim top and bottom.

I still get the butterflies. The shortness of breath. The wetness running down my legs. James’s touch, body, eyes have not ceased to turn me into a wanting little animal. Nor, at this point, do I think they ever won’t.

I’m naked and already drying from the hot sun. He pushes me gently onto the long padded bench that sticks out from the deck.

He sets his hands under my knees to pin my legs back and starts kissing down my thigh until his lips gently reach my clit. He takes it in his mouth, and I shudder as he sucks.

“You taste… So. Fucking. Good,” he growls before burying his face back between my legs.

I fist his wet hair and moan.

It’s so good. Sunshine. Head. The burning pleasure is blooming, and it’s hot enough to rival the sun on my skin.

I feel the boat rock gently beneath me. It adds to my pleasure. It makes everything a little more unreal. I feel like I’m floating as James forces his tongue and fingers into me.

“Your little cunt is my favorite treat.” He licks its full length, his tongue moving up languorously until he takes my clit between his teeth. I quiver until he lets go.

“You taste like sunshine and sea salt. Like honey made from wildflowers. You taste like everything I’ve ever fucking wanted.”

He eats me out furiously, and it’s his desire as much as the talent of his tongue that drives me towards an orgasm. He can’t get enough of me. He sucks and spits and tugs with his mouth.

I typically like to tell him when I’m going to orgasm, but I’m too shaky this time. My words vibrate in my throat as I try to get them out, and then I forget them entirely as I tremble. It roars through me, prickling my skin with goose bumps.

He lets go of my knees and brings his face to mine. We kiss tenderly. Just once.

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