Page 48 of Marring an Athlete

Anna glanced over at Javier. “You’re not coming with?”

“Mon chéri,” Javier said, stepping closer to her. “I will be back. I have other couples to attend to. But, once you return, I will be here to take you to your next activity.” He smiled down at her, and Michael pushed away all the frustration that was rising to the surface.

He thought they’d talked about this. Javier wasn’t the right guy for her. But then Michael took a deep breath. She could flirt with the slimy guide. Right? There was never any harm in flirting.

Even though his head was being rational, he couldn’t stop the feeling that arose in his gut that told him, no, she couldn’t flirt with Javier. There was something about him that Michael didn’t like. And he was going to help Anna see who he really was.

Thankfully, Michael didn’t have to squelch his frustration much longer. Javier saluted them with a flick of his fingers to his forehead and then headed back to the Jeep and drove away. No doubt to go flirt with another wife in a broken marriage.

Michael glanced over at Anna, who was avoiding his gaze. He wanted her to understand that he only had her best interest in mind, but she didn’t seem interested in talking to him. Instead, she sat down next to McKenna, forcing him to sit next to Sam.

“That was strange,” Sam said.

Michael tried to keep his jaw from dropping as he glanced over at his brother-in-law. Had Sam just talked to him? Initiated a conversation??

Not wanting to scare him off, Michael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and nodded. “Yeah. Thank goodness I’m not the only one who is seeing this.”

“No. It was weird,” Sam said.

So, he wasn’t being irrational. Javier was a scumbag. “I know, right? What kind of guy preys on women who are struggling? I mean, I know we’re not married, but he doesn’t know that.” He turned and smiled at Sam. “It feels good to know that I’m not the only one who sees what he’s doing.”

Sam shook his head. “Definitely got a weird, cheater vibe from him.”

Michael sat up and rubbed his thighs. Good. He wasn’t crazy. Javier was a creep, and he was going to expose the guy to Anna. He just wasn’t sure how. Or when. But he was here to protect his sister, and now Anna.

Luka started up the boat and took off down the water. Michael leaned back, enjoying the sun on his face and the salty water that surrounded them. He’d worry about keeping Anna safe later. Right now, he’d enjoy this.

Ten minutes later, Luka stopped the boat. It rocked gently in the water near the island next to them. A massive mountain rose above the water.

As if this was an everyday sight, Luka walked over to a tub and pulled out some snorkeling googles. “Please find one that fits,” he said in a deep Italian accent.

Michael pulled his gaze from the scenery and followed McKenna over to the pile. After picking up a few, Michael found one that looked like it would fit and walked over to a bench and pulled off his shirt.

“Can you believe this place? It’s like it gets more beautiful by the moment.” Anna’s voice startled him.

He turned to see her smiling up at him. She’d pulled off her swimsuit cover and was unzipping the wetsuit. His gaze slipped to her black one piece and his heart picked up speed. It hugged her curves and accented her creamy complexion.

He snapped his attention up and moved his focus to snapping the goggles around his head. “Yeah, it’s amazing,” he said and then flexed his jaw. If only she knew how loaded that statement was.

Michael tried not to stare at Anna as she reached up and pulled her hair into a bun.

Luka approached them and helped adjust their masks. Then he showed them how to grip the mouthpiece between their teeth. Once McKenna and Sam were situated, he turned to address Michael and Anna.

“Now, keep to the shallow waters and you should be fine. I’ll be alongside you if you get stuck,” he said as he brought the breathing piece to his lips and jumped into the water.

Michael took a deep breath and followed. When everyone was in the water, Luka waved at them to follow.

They spent forever swimming in the water. In Michael’s wildest dreams, he never imagined that the water could ever be this clear or the fish so vibrant in color. Every so often, Anna would tap his shoulder and he’d turn his head towards her. She’d point to a fish and shoot him a thumbs-up.

Every time she did that, his heart swelled. Here in the water, there was no Javier. There was no Daisy. They were just enjoying the scenery. Together. And he didn’t have to think about his feelings or the fact that they were quickly deepening for Anna.

He swallowed as he moved to see a stingray swim by. It was majestic as it flapped its fins. He was going to stop thinking for now and just enjoy what he was doing. After all, he never seemed to make the right decisions when he thought too hard.

Finally, Luka waved at them as he righted himself in the water. Then they swam over to the boat and climbed up.

Michael pulled off his goggles and set them to the side. He turned around and saw Anna trying to pull herself up. Despite his legs feeling like jelly he stood and moved to help her. Just as he grabbed her arm and pulled her up, he slipped, causing her to crash onto him.

The air left his lungs in a whoosh as he slammed onto the boat. She pulled her mouth piece out and her mask off. She peered down at him. “Are you okay?” she asked.

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