Page 19 of Until Hanna

He doesn’t even look it over before he places it on the counter and orders, “Come with me. While he fills that out, we can get you set up with a mask and snorkel.”

“Okay.” I go to him behind the counter and try on three masks before I find one that fits my face properly. Before I’m done, ten other people have shown up, and Walker has finished his paperwork. It takes Antonio a while to get everyone checked in and set up with their gear, so by the time we head out a side door and down a set of stairs to the beach, the sun is above the horizon, and the beach has started to fill with people who are up early to catch some sun, a lot of them looking hungover, probably from partying too hard last night.

Taking off my dress when we reach the edge of the water, I shove it in my bag while everyone else undresses down to their swimsuits. I try not to think about the women checking Walker out, but I fail miserably. The only thing that makes me feel even a little better is that I haven’t once caught him eyeing any of the women in our group most of which are young and beautiful.

“We're going to practice close to the shore until you’re comfortable blowing out your snorkel, diving, and taking off and putting on your mask. Then we’ll get on the boat and go out to the reef,” Antonio tells us, and I look over at Walker. He hasn’t once admitted he knows what he’s doing and that he’s—as Otto put it—one of the best divers in the world. So I don’t know what game he’s playing or if this is a game at all.

One thing I do know is his presence is both comforting and just as distracting as it was yesterday.

Once we’re all waist-deep in the water, I listen to Antonio’s instructions and do what he shows us. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of diving under the surf, then coming back up and blowing out from the snorkel, but I do freak myself out every time I take my first breath in, because I’m always sure I’m going to end up choking on water. After about twenty minutes of practice, we all gather our stuff and walk down a short dock to a boat bobbing in the water, with a driver waiting on us inside.

“Seating is tight, so Hanna, you can sit up here with us,” Antonio tells me, motioning to the seat between him and the driver.

“She’s good with me.” Walker pulls me down to sit on his lap. I don’t argue or even attempt to get up. I feel safer in his arms, which is probably the opposite of how I should feel, given this is only temporary. “When we’re out in the water, I want you to stick close to me.” The demand whispered close to my ear causes goose bumps to spread across my skin.

“You haven’t mentioned you’re a pro-diver.” I peek at him over my shoulder, and his arms around me tighten briefly. Then his fingers begin to smooth up and down my stomach.

“Was I supposed to?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I just assumed you’d mention it.” Or maybe I figured, like every other man, he’d take the opportunity to brag about how amazing he is.

“There isn’t a reason to do that.” He nips my shoulder, and I bite my lip and cover his hand with mine, the sensation of his touch too much. Especially with his bare chest pressed against my back and his cock, which has hardened slightly, under my bottom.

As the boat begins to speed through the water, he holds onto me tightly, and every once in a while, I swear I feel the subtle brush of his lips on my bare shoulder. The sensations play havoc with my emotions, because they’re not sexual, more “you’re here and I like it,” which might be worse for my mental state, since it’s getting difficult to remember this is only temporary.

It takes about fifteen minutes to reach the cove where the reef is located, and I’m taken aback by how beautiful it is, with the sheer cliff that falls into the sea and clear blue water with speckles of a darker midnight blue where it gets deeper. The boat slows when we reach an area where buoys are laid out in a long row, then comes to a stop. After Antonio and the driver hook a ladder over the side of the boat, everyone makes their way down into the water, and I go in after Walker, realizing quickly that he might be able to touch, but I can’t. So I keep a hold of him as Antonio goes over a few more instructions, mostly letting us know we’re not allowed to touch any of the coral or allowed to disturb the sea life.

When he tells us we’re free to explore, I put on my mask and wait for Walker to do the same before I drag in a deep breath and swim a couple of feet from him, so I have room to dive under.

Unlike where we were practicing earlier, I’m instantly mesmerized by the coral and brightly colored fish that stand out against the stark-white sand. I never would’ve guessed that being under the water would give me the same rush I get when flying, but there’s no denying it’s a high all its own. As I explore, I make sure to swim up for air when I need it and notice Walker is never very far from me. He follows my every move like a shadow yet still gives me space to do my own thing.

As we swim away from our group, Walker grabs my hand and motions toward a bunch of seaweed. It takes me a moment to notice there’s something moving amongst the swaying leaves, and my heart leaps with excitement when I realize it’s an octopus. It’s not very big, but the fluid way it glides through the water is enchanting, and I want to follow when it begins to swim again, but I need air. When I breach the surface, Walker pops up next to me, and I wrap my arms around his shoulders, the two of us removing our masks.

“Did you see that?” I nearly squeal.

“Yeah.” He laughs, his eyes wandering over my face while a small smile plays on his lips.

“That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I wish I brought a camera so I could’ve taken a picture.”

“Next time.” He smooths his hand down my cheek.

“I can totally see why you love diving.” I grin. “I want to take SCUBA lessons next.”

“I’ll teach you.”

I open my mouth to remind him that he won’t, but his fingers slide into my hair, and he pulls me close, covering my mouth with his. It’s not a kiss like the one he first gave me last night. This one is slow and sweet and drawn out… until Antonio breaks into the moment, calling for us all to get back on the boat. When Walker pulls back, leaving me with one last brush of his lips against mine, my lashes flutter open.

My eyes scan over his face, trying to memorize this moment. His body pressed against mine, the way the sun feels on my face, the smell of the salty air, and the taste of him still on my tongue and the happiness wrapped around my insides. Because I know one day, all this will be just a beautiful memory.

And that sucks more than it should.

CHAPTER6

hanna

Watching a shirtless Otto, wearing only a pair of red swim trunks, climb the high cliff just feet from the boat we’re on, I can’t help but glance between Walker and Ham. Both men look annoyed.

Last night at dinner I thought that Walker was a little harsh with Otto, I assumed he couldn’t be as immature as Walker was making him out to be, but after spending the day with him, I now know where he was coming from. He and Ham have been babysitting Otto all day as he’s lived his best life, and even I have found it annoying to constantly be on edge, wondering what he will do next that might possibly get him hurt or worse.

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