Pour Judgment

by ORGERON, HEATHER M

“Snorkeling?” Korie shields her eyes, grinning up at me from where her head’s been resting in my lap. “I’ve never been.” After adjusting the top of her black bikini, she pops up, eager to hear what John has to say.

  “Okay, so this is a private tour. There shouldn’t be any overzealous fans or paparazzi lurking in the shadows. We have the island for three hours. After that, all bets are off.”

  “You rented an island!” Her nails dig into my knee, and she’s literally bouncing with excitement.

  I wrap an arm around her middle, pulling her body flush against mine. Her bare skin is warm and slick from the sunscreen I’ve had the pleasure of rubbing all over her. She smells of coconuts and wet dreams, and I have to cough to conceal a growl. “Yes,” I mutter into her ear. “Pay attention.”

  After John has explained how to use the gear and the dos and don’ts of the island, he hands us each a packet of waiver forms, relinquishing them from any responsibility if we should be injured or worse by any marine wildlife or washed away in a riptide. Or a number of other hypotheticals equally as horrifying.

  “This sounds serious.” She looks up at me, tapping the back of her pen against the stack of forms. “You sure this is okay?”

  I shake my head. “No…but if you want to swim with the seals and sea lions, it’s mandatory.”

  Without another word, she scrawls her name across the dotted line.

  We drop anchor about thirty feet off the coast, where Stick and I don our wetsuits, flippers, and headgear, and drop into the cool, sparkling blue water.

  “Do you hear that?” she asks, looking around anxiously before popping her mouthpiece in.

  “Sea lions…look up on the rocks.”

  “Holy shit!” she garbles. Her eyes light up as she stares at me in awe through the mask, before turning her attention back to the cliffs at the dozens of sea mammals sprawled out in the hot sun.

  “Come on.” I dip my head toward the shore and take her hand in mine. Together we swim along the surface, squeezing each other’s fingers and pointing when something cool turns up.

  Schools of silver, yellow-finned fish swim right in front of us while thick, lime green seagrass blankets the reefs below.

  “Look,” I mumble, but I’m underwater with a mouth full of plastic, so it just sounds like gibberish. Either way, it gets her attention, and together we watch in wonderment as a large brown sea turtle lurks around in a patch of red kelp just beneath us. When he begins swimming up to the surface, I remember my GoPro camera and start snapping pictures.

  Korie releases my hand, going out a few feet. She points to the turtle and then to herself and gives me a thumbs up. I swear I must take a hundred or more pictures of her swimming around with this turtle. With her flippers and long blonde hair floating in all directions, she looks like a mermaid. The entire encounter is surreal.

  When our four-legged friend swims off, we pop up out of the water. “Rhettttt!” Stick squeals, panting as she yanks the snorkel from her mouth. “Did that really just happen?”

  My heart is pounding something fierce, so I can only imagine the adrenaline rush she’s experiencing having been close enough to touch it. “Fucking amazing.”

  “Thank you so much for this.” I know that I would do just about anything to keep the look of pure joy on her face. I tug her closer and wrap an arm around her waist, treading water to keep us both afloat.

  “It’s funny because I feel like I’m the one who should be thanking you,” I admit, brushing a wet clump of hair from in front of her eyes.

  “Oh, yeah?” she asks. “Why’s that?”

  “Because when I’m with you I just…I don’t know. I feel like me…like a real person.”

  Her lips start to dip into a frown, then she reaches out and twists my nipple through the wetsuit.

  Holy fuck that hurt!

  “That’s cuz you are just a person, Rhett Taylor, even though you think you’re something extraordinary.” She pokes out her tongue, and I trap it between my teeth, before twining my own around it. We really get into it, licking and nibbling, then our fogged-up masks collide, and our first kiss in our private alcove ends in a fit of laughter.

  “Let’s go, brat. Time’s a tickin’.”

  Chapter 30

  Korie

  I’ve never seen anything so magical in all my life. Who knew Rhett could be spontaneous and romantic? Or how freaking hot he’d look in a sleek black wetsuit? Okay, so that’s really no surprise; he’d look hot in a dang trash bag. But, hey, it’s a definite perk!

  More and more he’s breaking down all the preconceived notions I had about who he is, and most importantly, teaching me who I truly am. I feel stronger and more confident, and probably the biggest surprise of all, less guarded. I trust him, and with my past and the walls I’ve built around my heart, that’s huge. And just a bit frightening.

  There’s a perma-smile on my face as I watch him from behind the lens, swimming in circles with a pair of sea lions, clicking away like a proud mama, or fiancée…girlfriend…whatever.

  He waves me over, and I shake my head. They’re beautiful and all, but bigger than he is. I don’t know if I’m feeling quite that adventurous. Rhett steeples his hands in front of his face, begging me to join, and again I refuse. Then that fucker tucks his fists beneath his arms and starts flapping like a chicken, leaving me with no choice but to go.

  There are worse ways to die than being drowned by a two hundred fifty-pound sea lion, right? Oh, God.

  Rhett extends his hand for mine once I finally locate my lady balls and swim over to join him. He pulls me close, and I have to admit that at first I’m terrified as the two wild animals begin to circle around me. They’re checking me out. I can’t help but wonder if they really are like dogs and can sense my fear.

  What if they decide they don’t like me? Would my prima donna country star rescue me, or save his own ass while the beasts snack on my carcass?

  There’s a tug on my hair, and my head jerks back. Then another. At first, I think Rhett’s messing with me, and then I realize the smaller of the two brown-speckled sea lions is playing with my hair.

  She’s beautiful, with big round eyes and whiskers that remind me of a kitten. The little girl that still lives in me adopts this stray animal and names her Molly. If I could do so without being arrested, I’d bring her home to live with me forever. I swear she smiles at me every time she comes back to chomp at the blonde strands floating around my head. When she dives back down into the deep, dark water, I look over to Rhett, who at first I think is being mauled by the other one, but it turns out she’s only trying to hug him. This could be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

  He rubs the top of her head, and she presses her mouth to the front of his mask. The whole time, I’m taking pictures. They really are like little sea puppies. They bark, even while under the water, and they’re desperate for attention. I half expect Bertha’s tongue to come out and lick his face. Yeah, I named his too.

  My heart soars when Molly returns, bringing with her three friends. As they get closer, they become clearer and it looks like she’s wrangled up a few dolphins!

  Giddy with excitement, I’m waving around, trying to get Rhett’s attention, when they finally come close enough to see fully, and my delight is replaced by blind fear. My heart begins to pound deep in my chest. I hear it in my ears, drowning out every other sound. An ice-cold chill trickles down my spine as the beating grows louder. Forgetting my snorkel, I scream, “Shark!” and my mask begins to fill with water.

  Let me just stop right here and tell you, Rhett is no fucking Prince Charming. I’m practically drowning myself trying to save his ass, and he’s staring at me like I’ve lost my ever-loving mind. Maybe he doesn’t see them or doesn’t care, but I will live easier knowing I tried. I’m not sticking around to be eaten by a herd or whatever you call a group of fucking sharks.

  Oh, and my new “puppies?” They’re on my shit list too. What happened to protecting your owner? Man’s best friend
? Traitors. That’s what they are. Molly, that bitch. She gained my trust then went to round up her friends and led them right to us!

  I spit out the mouthpiece and throw off my mask, swimming for dear life. The whole time I’m swimming, my thoughts are racing. Are they right behind me? Under me? Is Rhett coming? Surely, he sees me haul-assing toward the shore and followed, right? It’s what any sane person would do.

  When I finally reach land, I crawl up the bank and fall to my back, panting and heaving for air. I’m flooded with relief when I see my boyfriend walking out of the ocean a few yards down the beach. That is until he comes close enough for me to see that the asshole is in hysterics.

  “What the hell are you laughing at?” I sit up in the sand, still feeling dizzy and on the verge of a heart attack.

  He can’t stop laughing long enough to speak.

  “Now I see why they make you sign all those damn waivers. Do you even realize how close we came to becoming shark food just now? What is the matter with you? Are you delirious?”

  He plops down beside me, holding his chest. Still. Fucking. Laughing. “You—you should have seen yourself.”

  I cross my arms over my bent knees giving him a laser-sharp glare. I am wholly unamused.

  “They were leopard sharks.”

  “Okay…”

  “They don’t bite. Friendly as can be.”

  Smoke billows from my ears as I climb on top of him, punching him repeatedly in the chest.

  Laughing, he blocks his face with his forearms dodging my blows.

  “You don’t think you should have maybe warned me about friendly sharks? My entire life just flashed before my eyes, you ass!” I’m so angry and embarrassed, yet at the same time just relieved to still be alive.

  Once he’s endured enough of my abuse, he rolls us over, so his big body is smooshing mine. He takes my wrists into his hands, holding them down in the sand above my head.

  I’m trapped, but I make no attempt to escape, as the warmth of his breath surrounds me, pulling me under his spell.

  Baby blues irises stare deep into mine, and his teeth bite into his lip, doing a shit job of concealing a smirk.

  “That was mean,” I rasp, my chest still heaving, but no longer in fear.

  “I’m sorry.” He nudges my nose with the tip of his, and a swarm of butterflies flutter in my tummy. I can hardly remember to breathe when he’s this close.

  A drop of saltwater falls from his lashes to my lips and without hesitation, I lick it away. “Liar.”

  My captor shrugs before clearing his throat. His eyes become bedroom heavy and hooded with lust. Without another word, he dips down, running the tip of his tongue along the seam of my mouth. “I’ve wanted to taste these lips all day.”

  “Mmm,” I moan, nipping back at his. “I’ve sort of alternated between wanting to do the same and the desire to kick you in the balls, myself.”

  “I’m glad you were able to refrain.” He releases my wrists, clutching my chin in his thumb and forefinger. “I have every intention of busting a nut tonight, and that’s not at all what I have in mind.”

  I snort at his blunt honesty, then squirm when he cups my breast through the thin rubbery material, the pad of his thumb brushing over the hardening bud. The echoes of barking seals and squawking seagulls fade into the distance as once again the thumping of my own racing heart rushes to the forefront. With the afternoon sun beating down on my face and the fire raging between the two of us, I’m feeling flushed and feverish. And horny. So fucking horny.

  “God, I want you.” My choked plea is rewarded with a ravenous kiss. We’re all lips and tongues and teeth. His hands are cupping my face, then tangled in my hair—mine tracing the rippling muscles not at all concealed beneath the fabric of his wetsuit.

  “That’s impossible in these suits, but I’ll make you feel good,” he says, clasping the zipper at my neck and lowering it to where it stops at my navel. My pulse races at the promise of his skin on mine.

  He slips inside my bikini top, palming my breast with a wet, sand-covered hand. With a yelp, my back arches off the ground and my nails dig into his back. The intense friction is unlike anything I’ve experienced, a sensation so good it’s nearly too much.

  “Does it hurt?” he asks, careful not to be overly rough with me, his face constantly searching mine for a reaction.

  I can’t even speak I’m so lost in the sparks firing off inside of me, so I shake my head. The pleasure is now bordering pain, but still so exquisite, I’d rather die than ask him to stop.

  Rhett seals his lips to mine, and I rake my fingers through his damp hair, pulling him impossibly closer. I’ve never felt more desperate for a man than I do for this one. Right here. Right now.

  While still gently massaging my breast, he shifts forward, wedging a knee between my thighs, right where I need him most. Wantonly, I grind my swollen sex against him, riding this wave of ecstasy. Desire pools in my core. Every nerve ending in my body is rushing to the center, preparing for the inevitable rush.

  His teeth clamp down on my nipple, and my limbs start to tremble. My entire body breaks out in a light sweat and I freefall—tumbling down an endless ravine. My vision fades to black, and the world falls into complete silence. For this brief moment in time, nothing at all exists but this feeling of euphoria. Immense relief floods my body, like a waterfall bursting over a cliff. Wave after wave of pleasure shoots through me, slowly fading to a steady pulse.

  When I open my eyes, I find him gazing wordlessly down at my face. His ravenous blue orbs slowly peruse my body, his lower lip gripped between his teeth.

  I reach out to touch the side of his face, and he nuzzles into my hand before guiding my fingers to his lips and kissing the tips.

  “We have to go,” Rhett says with a regretful sigh. He pulls me tightly to his chest, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Captain’s been blowing the horn for at least five minutes.”

  Chapter 31

  Rhett

  Our return to the ship is fairly uneventful. Kori refuses to put her snorkel back on or to even look below the water’s surface. We don’t really have time to lollygag anyway, if we’re going to get out of here before tourists start arriving on other charters.

  We take turns showering off the sand and dressing for dinner. I opt for a white linen button down, sleeves rolled to my elbows, and teal cotton shorts. I spritz a little sea salt spray in my hair and muss it with my fingers before slipping into a pair of leather Sperrys and taking myself above deck to wait for my date.

  Korie surprises me, choosing one of the dresses Anika picked out for her. It’s emerald green, almost identical to the shade of her irises. The fabric is light and silky, brushing against the peaks of her breasts whenever she moves. It’s tied at the neck, leaving her sun-kissed shoulders bare. Her hair is loose, in beach waves stopping just above the curve of her ass. Her skin is already noticeably bronzed, the apples of her cheeks tinged pink from the sun. One look and my heart leaps to my throat. I’m gone.

  “Can we skip right to dessert?” I ask, rising from the couch to meet her when she steps out onto the deck. I bury my nose in the curve of her neck, inhaling the scent of coconuts and roses.

  Lovely, I’m sporting a semi already and the night’s only just begun. But I’ve pretty much been at half-mast since getting her off on the beach earlier.

  She squirms in my hold as I nip at her collarbone, throwing her head back, inviting me to feast upon her throat. I am all too happy to oblige. With my hands fisted in her hair, I trail my tongue in the dip between her breasts, dragging my lower lip along the center of her throat. I nip playfully at her chin, then nibble on her pouty lips. I want to taste every inch of her smooth skin.

  Her hands link behind my neck, fingers playing in the short hair at my nape, causing a chill to travel down my spine. When the first sultry notes to “Senorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello float through the overhead speakers, she becomes a livewire in my arms, her hips swaying in perfect ti
me with the beat. Memories of dancing around the fire at camp come flooding back.

  I turn her in my arms so her back is to my front, the way we were that night. Her ass rolls against my erection in a deliberate tease. My hands trace the curves of her body as she shimmies down low before working her way back up, her movements fluid as the music travels through her.

  I take her hands in mine, guiding them above her head to rest on my shoulders and lightly brush the sensitive skin from the inside of her wrists to beneath her arms with my knuckles. Her body tenses, and I watch her breasts rise and fall with each heavy intake of breath. The tips of her fingers trail down the center of her chest, finding mine fisted in the fabric at her waist. She laces her fingers with mine and nuzzles into me. I place a kiss at her temple before swinging her out and reeling her back in. When her body slams back into mine, my lips find the delicate skin behind her ear. I pepper soft kisses then bite down gently on her lobe with a growl.

  The blonde beauty melts in my arms, a soft moan barely heard above the music floating from her lips as she presses her ass into my hips.

  Desire radiates between us like a living, breathing thing, heating my blood, stifling my breathing.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Mal says, stepping through the sliding glass doors connecting the front deck to the kitchen with a silver-domed tray in hand. John follows closely behind with an identical tray balanced on one hand and a bottle of champagne on ice in the other. “Just wanted to bring your dinner out before it gets cold.” She blushes, obviously uncomfortable intruding on our intimate moment. She sets it on the table in front of the couch, then lifts the lid on the first tray. “To start we have a creamy lobster bisque.” She lifts the other. “And homemade French bread with butter.”

  “Oh, this looks amazing,” Korie says, running her hands over the front of her dress to smooth it back into place as she takes her seat. Her chest is red and splotchy. She’s visibly flustered, and that observation sends a jolt right to my dick. As if Ollie needs any more encouragement. “Thank you, Mal,” she says, lifting her hair over one shoulder and lightly fanning her neck with the other hand.