Page 5 of Until Presley

“I can be, if necessary, but we help with support too. What do you see yourself doing after you get your doctorate?”

“I want to settle here in the Keys and help with the research on why there is such a concentration of attacks here. I want to educate people on protecting themselves before they decide to start hunting the sharks.”

I nod. “What do your parents think of you doing such a dangerous study?”

She shakes her head as she looks out over the water, and we continue to cut through it toward the dive site.

“My dad doesn’t really care. My stepmom worries, but she knows I love it and won’t stop me.”

“And your mom?” I ask, noticing the look of pain flash across her eyes.

“She died,” she says. I’m about to comfort her when we are interrupted.

“Hey, Elvis, the prof wants you,” one of the girls says, and I watch as she licks her lips as she takes me in.

Presley stiffens next to me, and then moves to stand. I get to my feet and help her up. She shakes off my hand and squeezes past me. Her tight body brushing against mine makes my cock jump. She disappears inside, and I watch her the whole time.

“Elvis isn’t into guys. We think she’s asexual.” The girl laughs.

“Elvis?” I look back at her.

The girl moves closer to me. She’s in her bikini top now, just like the other girl.

“Well, yeah, that’s what her sister calls her.”

Anger hits me instantly, and I want to defend my girl. “Her name is Presley. Call her that. And just so you know”—I look her up and down—“I’m not interested.” Shaking my head, I push past her and go look for my sprite.

CHAPTER

THREE

PRESLEY

Ienjoyed talking to Ham, but now that he’s with Margo, I know he won’t be around me again. Especially after she called me Elvis. At first, I was proud of the nickname when Clara gave it to me, but now I hate it. It’s not nice when they say it.

Dr. Miller asked me to help at the back of the boat, getting the cage ready with another researcher and their aide. I strip off my shorts and tank top so I don’t get them wet, then help George get the cage in the water.

“Sprite.” A growl comes from behind me, and I’m lifted off the dive platform and over the back wall of the boat. I’m handed to Walker, who sets me down, and Ham strips off his shirt and tosses it at me. His massive, ripped chest is on full display, covered in tattoos. A light dusting of chest hair trails down his abdomen, and the happy trail that dips into his shorts has me swallowing hard. He smirks before turning to help George slowly lower the cage into the water. My eyes linger on the tattoos across his back.

I push away from Walker and climb over the wall again to hand George some equipment he needs.

“Walker,” Ham says, and the equipment is taken from my hands and handed over.

“Hey, I can do that.” I start to argue, but then Ham’s large arms wrap around me from behind. His cool hands, wet from the water, touch my heated abdomen, and I flinch. My stomach twitches. I push back, and something long and hard presses into my back. I know exactly what it is, and I tip my head back to look up at him.

“Sprite, I know you can do it. But you have us to do it, so let us. Also, please put your clothes back on,” he says softly in my ear.

Hurt and humiliation hit me fast, and tears sting my eyes. He’s not hard for me. I’m such an idiot. I glance over at Margo, who’s giving me a death stare. I start to pull away, but Ham holds me fast and turns us to face the water. I hear Walker talking, but I can’t focus on his words. All I can think about is wishing I were invisible.

“Presley,” Ham says as his lips touch my forehead. “I—” He pauses as I struggle.

“Don’t be nice to me just because I blew you a kiss. Go take Margo up on her offer.”

“Who the fuck is Margo?”

“Her.” I try to point, but my hands are trapped in his.

“I don’t want her. I want you.”

---