Page 42 of Meet Me in Tahiti

Russ caught a flicker of Jules looking out from the galley at him. Her expression was unreadable, but the tension was unmistakable, at least for those who knew there was tension here. The other passengers didn’t seem to notice, fortunately.

Still, in this same situation with any other guest—male or female—no one would have blinked. He’d given paddle boarding lessons dozens of times to more women than he could count. Heck, he’d also had to turn down a lot of women who’d taken their flirting just a few steps too far.

But this was Tessa. The one person with the least experience out in the water. And the person on this trip who mattered the most to him.

“I’m sure,” he said decisively. Let’s go, Tess’.”

He glanced at her and saw her relax as a shy smilefilled her face. She took a step toward the edge of the boat and grabbed a paddle.

“Hey folks, by the way,” Russell added with an easy smile to the rest of them, “why don’t you all get out of the sun for a while? We’ve got dinner plans on shore in two hours. Plan to get dressed up a little, if you brought that kind of thing.”

Soft, excited chatter drifted around the group, especially among the women. Even Tessa seemed delighted.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” Kyle grinned. He slipped a shirt carefully over his sunburned back and grabbed a water and a beer from the cooler.

Russ turned to Malik. “Keep an eye on us just in case we drift near the current, yeah?”

“You got it.” Malik nodded, though the look he gave Russ clearly said he wasn’t thrilled with the plan.

Russ helped Tessa onto one of the boards, showing her where to place her feet, how to hold the paddle. “You trust me, right?” He didn’t want her to be scared or worried. Paddle boarding was one of his favorite pastimes. Even the most land-loving passengers on his past trips had gotten the hang of it in no time.

“I totally trust you,” she said, and he knew she meant it.

“Good. Because you’re going to love this,” he said as he climbed onto the board beside her.

They paddled out together, away from the boat and the noise. Out where the lagoon stretched wide and uninterrupted.

He gave her pointers, coaching her through turningand balance, how to use her legs and core more than her arms.

She caught on fast. Which was good, because in that flowered bikini, her toned frame was almost driving him to distraction. He’d had to concentrate a little more than usual on the technique just to keep from staring.

“This is my kind of watersport,” she called out, grinning, several minutes later from behind him, standing tall on the board. The bottom of the ocean was clearly visible about ten feet below. Fish darted about, and the shadows of puffy clouds overhead danced across the sparkling water. “I like being above the water like this, but out in the middle of it all.” She also seemed to have no trouble balancing.

Russ smiled. “I knew you would.” He could picture them doing this kind of thing all the time, if they had the chance. Exploring new coastlines. Paddle boarding through the mangroves. Bicycling on the Keys. Showing him her favorite places in the Midwest and wherever else she wanted to go. All of it.

“You’re a natural,” he said.

She looked over her shoulder at him, and warmth coursed through him. “Thanks for taking me out here. I was starting to feel like a charity case back there. I was just about to ditch them all and go hide in my room.”

“I figured that,” he said, paddling closer. “I didn’t want you feeling that way.”

She stopped paddling, letting herself drift. “Thanks. And you know, they mean well, but I’m glad it’s you out here with me.”

He let his board glide next to hers. He knew shetrusted him. She also knew he’d protect her in any way he could. “I told you I’d be here for you this week, Tess’.”

She smiled. “You have been. Every step of the way.”

Her words curled around him, and his chest tightened. “I want to show you more of my world someday. If I ever get the chance.”

“I’d love that,” she whispered, her gaze lingering on him.

They floated in silence for a moment. Two people wishing for a future together. A future that hung in the balance. Could he make it happen?

There were only three days left of this trip. He felt like he was counting down—to a doomsday when she’d leave. But he didn’t want her trip to be ruined. He was still the recreation director on this cruise, after all. She should be having fun, not focused on the inevitable sadness that lay ahead of them when she left, even if he got the job. There’d be months before they’d see each other again.

“You said we’re going onshore tonight?” she asked, casually changing the conversation.

That was the perfect way to keep the mood light, and he’d been meaning to tell her about it, anyway. “Yeah. You’re going to love it. There’s a Polynesian dinner and dance show on the island.” He smiled when her face lit up. “It’s a lot of fun.”

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