Page 6 of OneTime Lovers
“You shouldn’t encourage his bad behavior, or he’ll never learn how to be an adult.”
Still chuckling, she says, “Blake reminds me so much of my big brothers.”
Good. I’m happy Jasmine sees Blake like a brother.
Lily cautiously enters the pool via the stairs, but Luke and Cassie are nowhere to be seen. I suspect Luke hasn’t wasted any time in dragging his wife-to-be off somewhere private, so they can rip each other’s clothes off. It’s good to see Luke so happy, it’s been way too long.
The four of us float about in the pool as the girls tell us about the parts of the island they discovered on their morning walk. I know I can’t wait to do some snorkeling along the reef surrounding the island. As I flew my bird in low over the reef, I was already planning the first snorkeling trip.
Hoping for others to join me, I ask if anyone is interested. Lily begs off saying she’s happy to laze around the pool reading her book. Blake and Jasmine sound keen and I’m sure Luke and Cassie will be up for it too. Of course, it depends on whether we can drag them out of their room.
Jasmine swims to the edge, exits the pool, and struts across to her towel, flinging the long damp strands of her hair over her shoulder. It’s impossible to look away. I can’t imagine there’s a man alive who wouldn’t take notice of her in that bikini. With a final dive under the cool water, I get out too, choosing to dry off on the spare lounger beside her.
Big mistake. Now, I’m stuck trying not to stare as she slathers sun lotion down her long arms then in slow wide strokes across her full cleavage. I inhale the coconut scent, wishing I could bury my nose in the flawless, smooth skin of her neck. It nearly has me groaning aloud.
It’s not like I don’t see my fair share of beautiful women, especially given I live in Florida and spend a good percentage of my time on the beach. But there’s something about this particular woman.
Jas shifts on the lounger as she talks softly to Lily on her other side. I can’t make out the words, but it doesn’t matter as I’m enjoying the sound of her husky voice. I close my eyes imagining nights of hot island sex.
Geez, what’s wrong with me? I need a distraction, so I fill my head with thoughts of business. I design and manufacture custom surfboards, selling them globally. I’ve been living my dream of creating unique boards for just over four years now, after leaving the Australian Defense Forces as a fighter pilot.
Peering up from where I’m resting my head on my arms, I notice Luke and Cassie return disheveled and flushed. Without a word, they dump their towels on a nearby lounger.
Luke strips off his shirt revealing a map of scar tissue across his back and Cassie casually strokes a hand over the puckered scars. I’m surprised by Luke’s lack of reaction. I’ve known Luke about six years, ever since we served together in Afghanistan.
The guys and I are close, a tight bond forged through shared danger, horror, and fear. I was flying their team the night Luke was injured. A night none of us will ever forget no matter how hard we try.
It’s been a long road to recovery for Luke and I’m glad to see he’s now finally comfortable in his own skin. Cassie has been the key to his healing. Since she came back into his life, he’s been more like the old Luke I remember from before.
I blink away memories of my previous life and see Blake walking toward me with a plastic crate filled with snorkels, masks, and fins.
Chapter 4
Jasmine
Scott,Blake,andLukegrab some gear and strut toward the water like a group of schoolboys eager for an adventure. Cassie and I trail more sedately along behind as we follow them down the wide stone steps which lead onto the beach.
“What do you think of Scott?” Cassie whispers behind her hand, making sure the guys, a little ahead of us, can’t hear. “I saw you checking out his hot bod when he took his shirt off.”
I stop at the bottom of the stairs and look back up at her. “Undecided at this point. Sure, he has a hot bod that he’s not afraid to show off. I can appreciate the show, but he seems a bit … I don’t know.” I shrug, not really able to put my finger on what bothers me about Scott. Then because she seems to be waiting for me to say something, I blurt out, “That stunt with the low flyover was not cool.”
Cassie giggles. “I thought it was funny.”
Barefoot, we continue to pick our way carefully across the crunchy shell-filled strip of beach onto the softer, finer grains at the edge of the clear water.
The boys are already standing in the shallows with their snorkeling gear waiting for us. Luke hands a set to Cassie and starts to help her put on her fins.
Scott moves to stand beside me, handing me a mask. “I’ve adjusted the strap for you, but if it needs more adjusting you just tug on this bit here.” He tugs on a section of plastic to demonstrate where I need to adjust it.
I go to take the mask from him, but he keeps a hold on it as he says, “I’ll just attach the snorkel into the loop at the side here.” I watch too closely as his nimble fingers adjust the fiddly straps.
Okay––now I’m starting to get a little annoyed as he explains the basics about the equipment. Geez, he’s not the first person to have ever been snorkeling.
I take the mask and snorkel from his hands. “Thanks, I got this.” I guess my tone is snappy as his head jolts up to look at me. I attempt a smile, but I know it’s weak and I think he knows it too.
I know I’m being unreasonable, but I hate being told what to do by bossy men, I had enough of that growing up with my two older, overprotective brothers, Rory and Jarrod.
To stop his hovering and prove I really have got this, I bend to pick out a pair of fins then silently step into the shallows to slip one on. Easier said than done. I hop on one foot as I try to pull the unyielding sticky rubber onto my foot.
