Page 20 of Meet Me in Tahiti

Tessa’s eyes had gone wide. She looked up and caught Russ’s gaze, and he smiled back in satisfaction.

“What… are they?” she sputtered, thinking it felt like maybe a scene from the French Polynesian version of the movieJawswas about to take place.

“Blacktip reef sharks,” Russ said coolly. “Common in these waters. Not aggressive. They're mostly just looking for mollusks and crab from the reef.”

“They’re beautiful,” Jenna said as she and Marin came down from the upper deck.

“Do they come out like this every night?” Kyle asked, moving closer to the edge as the sharks circled in.

“Pretty much,” Russ replied. “They hunt in groups. But you won’t see them unless you know when to look. The lights draw them in.”

The water shimmered with movement. Nate leaned in a little too closely for Tessa’s liking, his beer gripped in one hand.

“Better watch it, buddy,” warned Drew, but he looked just as transfixed. “Might lose a hand if you’re not careful there.”

Russ laughed. “Nah, he’ll be fine, but don’t fall in. Please.”

Tessa smiled and caught Russ’ gaze, sure that neither he, nor Malik, would want to play lifeguard right now. Russ shot her a grin.

Marin moved a little closer to the edge and put her arms around Kyle, who was squatting down for a closer look.

“They’re not going to fling themselves up onto the boat, are they?” she asked, smiling.

Russ chuckled. “Nope, nothing like that.”

Jules came out for a look and stood next to Jenna, chatting.

Tessa downed the last few swigs of her rum drink and swallowed, watching in awe. Okay, so this was amazing. She should probably relax now. If Russ said they were safe on the boat, then they were safe.

Malik walked over and shined a powerful flashlight at the water so the guys at the edge could get a better look.

The sharks glided smoothly around them, breaking the surface occasionally.

Russ strolled over and stood between Avery and Tessa, and Tessa felt her skin warming. “So, what do you think?” he said.

Avery wiggled a brow. “Well, I think this is what you call a night show. Huh, Captain?”

He smiled. “Best one around.”

Tessa watched the water quietly. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Except at an aquarium, of course.”

“Most people haven’t,” said Russ. “That’s why it never gets old.” She felt his eyes on her for a few moments. It was so cool he’d shown this to them, although she might never go in the water again now that she saw how many sharks were out there. But she grinned at him, and their eyes met for a long moment. As if he wanted to make sure she was enjoying it.

She was.

Her pulse skittered.

He broke his gaze, probably before Avery could notice, and looked back at the water, then excused himself and strolled toward Jules and Jenna.

Avery wandered over to Nate, who’d squatted down and was dangling a few fingers in the water now. “Nate, don’t…” she whined. “Come on… please.”

Tessa smiled and shook her head. Adventurous to a fault, Nate was always up to something, it seemed.

Tessa turned and joined Jenna, Jules, and Russ as they chatted.

Then the water shifted again, and they all heard a soft splash. Tessa’s heart raced again.

A massive shape glided alongside the boat—wide and graceful, with long, dark wings trailing through the water like silk.

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