Page 47 of Meet Me in Tahiti

“You’re not being very subtle,” Malik murmured, elbowing him as his gaze cut across the table toward Tessa.

Russ frowned. “I told you—it’ll be fine.”

Malik arched a brow. “Fine?”

Russ kept his voice low. “As far as anyone knows, there’s nothing inappropriate going on.”

But his eyes slid back to where Tessa sat, her smile enchanting. Malik seemed to be on the warpath about Tessa, though. Why couldn’t the guy just let it go? Russ wasn’t going to cause any problems just because he’d developed a crush on a passenger.

Seriously, Malik had known him for years. Had he ever given him a reason not to trust him? Had he ever,once, done this before? No. He shot him a look. Malik directed his gaze in another direction.

After the feast, the beat of Polynesian drums returned and female dancers in short skirts and flower crowns began calling volunteers from the audience. First the men—Russell’s own passengers, and then a handful of strangers—got pulled up and cheered on as they attempted the moves.

The guys surprised him, playing along, because the sight of Kyle trying to mimic the rapid movements had the crowd roaring. He laughed along with the crowd.

Drew was surprisingly good, too, swaying and playing it up, arms flailing with dramatic flair. Russell leaned back, sipping his beer, stealing glances at Tessa, who continued to glance back at him, looking delighted.

The performers clapped and encouraged them, and Russ clapped along as many of the other men in the audience, young and old, lined up in a mock contest. The most enthusiastic dancer was awarded a small carved shell necklace as a prize.

Then came the women’s turn.

Marin and Jenna got swept up to join the male dancers, grinning as they tried their hand at the hip-shaking dance and laughing as they followed their partners’ movements. Then, as expected, the show dancers settled to the background as the public was invited to the dance floor.

Tessa sat with Avery at her end of the table before Avery was quickly snagged up by Nate. Kyle and Marin and Jenna and Drew coupled off next. So, Russ was onhis feet quickly, before Malik could stop him, and stopped in front of Tessa. “Dance with me?”

She blinked, glancing around in surprise. “Are you sure?”

“Completely.”

He’d been to this dinner dance many times. Asked countless passengers to dance. Most of the time, the old guys whose wives he was entertaining were as grateful as the wives themselves, for someone to amuse them. This wasn’t any different, he told himself. Tessa was just a charter guest who needed a dance partner. Not even the other captains, if any were here, would question it.

They joined the others under the stars. The music pulsed with energy, the dancers’ joy infectious. Russ grinned as Tessa tried the moves, both of them laughing and carefree. Her cheeks were pink from the exertion and the tropical cocktail, her eyes bright. He wished he could kiss her right here, right now.

Would he ever have that freedom? Would he ever find a way back to his old world and make this woman a part of it?

Things were still so new between them, but it felt like he’d known her for weeks.

Russ looked up at the musicians as the tempo slowed. A romantic island tune filled the air, and the couples on the floor pulled closer. Russ drew Tessa gently into his arms. Her hand found his, and they moved together in an easy rhythm.

“Are you sure this is okay?” asked Tessa.

“Completely sure.” He wasn’t about to let her go now. Not that he could if he wanted to. He pulled her intighter, wrapping his arms around her waist, and she linked her hands behind his neck. The world fell away as the music played and the ocean shimmered beyond the edge of the pavilion. Lanterns glowed like fireflies around them, and the soft scent of plumeria drifted on the breeze.

How was he going to drag himself away from her? Tessa was radiant. Warm, tender.

And this moment—it felt real. All too real.

He was falling for her. No—past tense. He’d already fallen.

And she looked up at him like she already knew.

When the song ended, he escorted her back to her seat, her hand warm in his. He returned to his place beside Malik, heart racing.

Malik looked at him, shaking his head.

Russ glared at him but kept his voice down. “It was just a dance, Malik. Like I’ve done dozens of times at this event, before. Chill out. Please.” He couldn’t take Malik’s judgment right now. He just wanted to enjoy the moment. Didn’t he deserve that? A little break in the lonely life of a sailor? A little off-duty happiness?

Just then, his phone buzzed, distracting him from Malik’s grimace.

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