by Krista Lakes
“You want to feed them?” I asked.
“By hand?” Noah asked, his eyes widened again slightly.
“Typically. Using your toes just doesn't work as well.”
Noah nodded and I went to get the bucket at the edge of the water. “Okay, now hold the fish by the tail and keep that end away from the shark. They do have sharp teeth, and you don't want them to catch you accidentally.”
I picked a fish out of the bucket and put it under the water. The little lemon shark that had sneaked over to watch us hold the nurse shark came swimming over to get it, taking it delicately in its jaws before swimming off.
“Was he there the whole time?” Noah asked, a quaver in his voice. He might be a big-shot in other areas of his life, but here he was no longer the top of the food chain. Noah was handling better than many others I had seen.
“Yup.” I grinned at him. “He was just curious. Now put your fish in the water. The other one wants his snack.”
Noah hesitated for only a fraction of a second before putting his fish in the water. The second little lemon shark swam slowly toward him, waiting until the fish was completely underwater before gently taking the fish and darting away. I didn't know that it was possible for a human to smile that big.
“He was so careful!” Noah exclaimed. “I've had dogs be more aggressive.”
“They are really quite smart,” I told him, smiling at his Christmas morning level of excitement. “This isn't something you would want to do without me around, though. These two know what's going on. This isn't something everyone gets to do.”
Noah looked up and beamed at me. “Thank you. This is one of the coolest things I've ever done.”
“You are most welcome.” I grinned at him. “Once I feed the nurse sharks, you ready to go out in the ocean and see these guys in the wild?”
Noah swallowed hard, but his grin didn't falter. “If you're with me,” he said, his eyes meeting mine, “then yes.”
Sandcastle Kisses: Chapter 12
The turquoise waters were calm under bright blue skies as we skimmed along the shoreline in the small boat toward my favorite snorkel spot in the world. To our right, the Grove extended out into the ocean like a finger beckoning a lover. The mangroves turned the water a lighter color as their strong roots dug into the sandy bottom, but they protected the island from the waves of the deep ocean.
Nestled in the shielded curl of the Grove was a small coral reef. It was perfect for much of my marine research, as well as some of the best snorkeling in the entire Caribbean. Only locals knew about this spot, and the pristine conditions of the reef only proved the lack of human interaction. It was untouched by people and absolutely the best place to dive into an underwater world. I couldn't wait to show it to Noah.
I turned off the motor, lowering the anchor onto the sand near the reef and securing the boat so we could swim without worry. Noah stared out at the water's surface, his eyes dancing as he grinned at me. He had his goggles perched on his forehead, causing his hair to spray up like some sort of strange crest. He looked ridiculous, but very excited.
“How is the water so peaceful here? The waves on our way in were fun, but it's like being in a bathtub here.” Noah pushed his goggles up further, causing his hair to stand even more on end. It was hard not to giggle.
“The Grove,” I explained, pointing to the mangrove trees in the distance. “The mangroves protect this spot from the big ocean waves. It lets the coral grow and is really important during the tropical storms. The reef here usually doesn't get much damage.”
“You mean those weedy looking plants?” He frowned slightly at the ugly trees.
I nodded. “Yup. Not only are they the perfect breeding ground and nursery for a bunch of species, they help keep beach erosion down, and they help keep the island safe from storm surges. They are incredibly important to the whole ecosystem of the island.”
Noah raised his eyebrows. “Interesting. But they don't exactly scream 'beautiful tourist destination,' do they?”
“No, they are kind of strange-looking.” I put my own goggles on my head and managed to keep the snorkel from smacking me in the face in the process. “But I'm glad they don't scream ‘tourist’. Tourists tend to think that since they're just here for a short amount of time, nothing they do is going to matter. But there are hundreds of them with that same idea. They take pieces of the reef home as souvenirs; they leave litter and trash; they fish without restraint.”
“Tell me how you really feel… don't hold back.” Noah held up his hands like he was defending blows from me.
“Sorry.” I smiled apologetically. I stopped myself from telling him all about how my fellow researchers and I wanted to purchase the land and turn it into a nature preserve. He didn't need to worry about it, and it wasn't all that interesting. “It's one of my soap box triggers. This is supposed to be fun. This is probably my favorite spot in the whole world.”
Noah's blue eyes sparkled like the ocean. He sat on the back of the boat with his feet in the water, getting ready to jump in. “Then I'm honored that you're showing it to me.”
“You should be,” I teased, pushing him in. He splashed as he hit the water and I followed him into the ocean. It was warm and calm. I took his hand in mine, and together we swam away from the boat and over to the reef.
Coral in the shape of giant fans reflected purple in the sun below us while orange fronds waved smoothly in gentle sway of the water. Colorful fish darted through the rising coral and swaying sea fronds like dancers. Parrotfish with their bright scales moseyed along the reef, watching us with curious eyes. A stingray swam below us in graceful flight before disappearing into the dark of the water. Blue tang, angelfish, trumpet-fish, and myriads of shiny, tiny minnows moved through the reef with amazing ease, filling the ocean floor with color and movement.
Noah pointed excitedly to a hole in a rock where a spotted eel slithered out and went into another section of the reef to find something to eat. Even despite the snorkel in his mouth, he couldn't contain the grin on his face. I dove down to the bottom, picking up a conch shell. It was still very much alive, and Noah held it reverently in his hands. Light pink flesh peeked out of the shell as Noah examined it, and he nearly dropped the living creature. I could hear him laugh under the water as he realized that it wasn't just a shell.
With strong strokes, Noah dove down to the bottom and gently placed the creature on the sand. I smiled at his careful gesture as he made sure the conch was safely settled before returning to the surface. I was glad I had brought him here.
My heart was full of a mixture of sorrow and happiness as I watched him point to a bright blue parrotfish. Noah had said he was only going to be on the island for a couple of days, and I knew he would be leaving any day now. I knew I was falling for him despite my best efforts. Watching him interact with the reef with respect and excitement wasn't helping. It was only making him more attractive to me. I tried to convince myself that just the experience of bringing him here was enough, and that I would be okay not repeating it. Unfortunately, I knew I would want to show him all my favorite places again and again.
Noah came to the surface and pulled his mask from his face, grinning from ear to ear. Together we floated on the water, our hands and feet moving in constant rhythm to keep us steady above the water. His hair gleamed in the sunlight, and his eyes were alive with excitement and enjoyment.
“It's so beautiful down there!” he exclaimed, wiping water from his eyes.
“I thought you would like it,” I said with a grin, pulling my own mask up onto my forehead. “Did you see the eel?”
“Yes!” Noah frowned slightly. “You are not getting me to touch it, though.”
I laughed. “Good, because I don't think he wants to be touched.”
“Unlike some other eels...” Noah gave me a naughty wink. I couldn't stop the blush as I laughed at his dirty joke. He swam closer, his powerful arms easily cutting through the water until he was close enough that we could ki
ss. “Thank you for showing me this today.”
“My pleasure,” I said softly as he pulled me into a kiss. The tang of saltwater filled my mouth, his body warm against the cool of the ocean. A heat began to fill my core, surprising me with just how ready I was to have him again.
“I have something I need to tell you,” Noah said, pulling away from me. He licked his lips, his blue eyes darkening like deep water. His brows came together, serious and strong. I swallowed hard. He was going to tell me what he did for a living because he was leaving.
“What?” I asked. My heart clenched, not wanting this encounter to be over. I wished I could just stop breathing for a moment and let the ocean swallow me up before he said he had to go. I was far more attached to him than I had planned on becoming. Being attached sucked.
“I'm staying longer on the island.”
Hope blossomed, letting my heart beat again. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” He smiled, knowing that he had panicked me for a moment. His eyes lightened, and I felt the sun shine again. “It does mean that my assistant is coming out to join me, though. I do have to get some work done.”
“Okay,” I replied, happiness lifting my voice. He was staying. “For how long?”
“Indefinitely. My job is pretty mobile,” he answered with a nonchalant shrug, behaving as if moving to a remote Caribbean island was something people did all the time. “Owen has given me run of the villa for as long as I want.”
I squeaked with joy and he laughed. I kissed him and then frowned slightly. “You have an assistant?”
“Yes.” He smiled again. “And I wanted to tell you about her beforehand. She's rather attractive.”
I raised my eyebrows. “And you're telling me this because…”
“Because I didn't want you to get the wrong idea when you see her. We aren't a couple,” he explained.
“Okay...” I wasn't quite sure what was going on. I was glad he was telling me, but at the same time, the idea of a sexy assistant was rather intimidating. Someone who knew him and would be with him all the time. The boss leaving with the secretary was a popular trope for a reason. “So you have no interest in your attractive assistant?”
“No. And really, I should be more worried about her stealing you away. Not her stealing me away from you.” He bobbed gently in the water as I digested his words.
At first, I was more excited about the fact that he had just said I was his. Then the implication of his sentence hit me. His assistant would be interested in me.
“Ohhhh,” I said as I realized. Noah laughed.
“She's honestly the best assistant I've ever had, so no stealing her away. I won't have it,” he said, trying to keep his face serious but failing. I kissed him on the cheek.
“I'll do my best,” I promised. He kissed me again, filling my heart with light. I was his and he was mine. Noah was staying.
“Can I buy you dinner tonight?” He asked once we were back on the boat. I looked up at the sky, seeing that the sun was much lower than I expected. “I'm afraid it won't be much. I have to catch up on some work, but …”
I looked back at him as he ran a hand through his hair, sending a spray through the air.
“I like having you around,” he said simply, a smile on his lips. “You make me happy.”
A giddy rush went through me. “You make me pretty happy too.”
“So, dinner?” He held his hands open in question.
“I can't,” I said reluctantly, shaking my head. “It's my job to cook tonight. You can come if you want. But know that you will be put through the ringer. The boys should be getting back from the mainland and they're itching for all the dirt.”
Noah gave me a thoughtful look. “Do you want me to come?”
“I would like you to meet them, but tonight's probably not going to be the best night,” I answered honestly. I was surprised that I really did want the boys to meet him. I wanted them to know how wonderful he was and I knew they would approve. However, tonight would be full of discussions about their trip and dissertations, which would leave Noah out of the conversation.
“I'll just catch up on some work, then.” He kissed my forehead. “I don't have to worry about them stealing you away, do I?”
I snorted at the idea. They were like my brothers. “Never.”
“Good. I would hate having to beat up respected scientists.” Noah cupped my cheek and brought his mouth down to mine in a perfect kiss. I loved the way his lips felt against mine, the warmth of his tongue and the gentle caress of his mouth. I kissed him back, pressing my body against his as the boat rocked us gently.
I finally pulled away and started the boat. He sat and watched me with a smile on his face as I steered the boat to the dock at Owen's mansion. The engine and the wind made it difficult to talk, but I was content with my thoughts.
If he was staying, then it meant he cared about me. I could feel the ropes I had tied around my heart to keep it from falling in love starting to loosen. If he was staying, then it wouldn't hurt to let myself have a little more of him. I could easily fall in love with Noah...as long as he wasn't going to leave.
Sandcastle Kisses: Chapter 13
I shut the screen door to the kitchen, leaning on the frame and closing my eyes. I couldn't have imagined a better day if I’d tried. Noah was amazing. My entire being felt light as air and filled with sunshine.
“Have fun?”
I opened my eyes to see Devon standing at the kitchen counter smirking. He was half way through making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I had completely missed him when I walked in; my mind had been elsewhere with Noah.
“You're home!” I yelled with a grin, running over to give him a hug. He had taken it upon himself to be my older brother, and I missed him like family when he was away. Devon set down his knife full of peanut butter and wrapped his arms around me. He smelled like sunscreen.
“Hey, kid,” he said with a laugh. He was tall and lean with a swimmer's body. The man loved to swim and usually did several miles out in the open ocean every morning. The only downside to his love of being out in the water was that he was of pure Irish descent: pale skin, freckles, red hair, and green eyes. Since moving to the Caribbean, he usually went through a bottle of sunscreen a week and still managed to burn.
“I'm making dinner tonight. Don't ruin your appetite, okay?” I asked, giving his sandwich a pointed look. “I'm making fish tacos.”
“Fish tacos! Can Mimi have some too?” he asked, putting the finishing touches on his sandwich. I wasn't worried about him ruining his dinner. The man was always hungry, and if he did somehow manage not to eat his body weight in food tonight, Mimi, his fiancée, would whip something up for him.
“You know I love her. I'd make tacos just to have her come over. You eat your sandwich, I'll hang out with her,” I teased. Devon took a big bite of his sandwich and chuckled.
“Lucas is gonna love you for making those tonight.” He swallowed and took another bite. “He ate some tacos at a food cart in Miami and then would not shut up for the rest of the trip about how much better yours were. I think he would marry you for those.”
I made a face at the thought of marrying Lucas. He too had taken on the role of older brother and protector. I loved him, but I would probably end up killing him on our wedding night out of exasperation.
“Now you're just flattering me,” I said, bumping him with my hip so I could get to the sink. “Did you guys have a good trip? How'd the dissertations go?”
Devon leaned against the counter and finished the last of his sandwich. It was a good thing he swam as much as he did, because he ate like a starving man. “Great, actually. Doc had us super prepared. I'm still a bundle of nerves, though.” He held out his hands toward me, making them shake.
“Yeah right, Mr. Confidence,” I said, sticking my tongue out at him and starting the water to wash my hands.
“Did I hear my little Izzy come in?” Lucas's voice entered the kitchen before he did. He was sligh
tly shorter than Devon, but just as muscular. His particular vice was running rather than swimming. His face was strong and angular with warm brown eyes and unruly dark hair that matched his personality. Lucas was a troublemaker, and he had a knack for practical jokes and being the life of a party.
“Maybe,” I replied, pulling ingredients from the fridge.
“Onions, mangoes, peppers, avocados, a bag of marinating fish…” Lucas narrated as I set things on the counter, his voice overflowing with excitement as each one was set down. “You’re making fish tacos!”
“Ouch.” I glared at him, my ears ringing from his enthusiastic yelling. “I would like to be able to hear tomorrow morning. And yes, I'm making fish tacos.”
He wrapped me up in a big bear hug, rubbing his knuckles across the top of my head when he finished. Yup. If I had to marry that man, I would probably shoot him walking down the aisle.
“Let me go,” I said after squeezing him back. “Now I have to wash my hands again!”
“Did you hear our little Izzy was out on a date?” Devon asked Lucas, his voice far too innocent. I rolled my eyes. This is why I stopped bringing my dates home.
“A date?” Lucas grinned and batted his eyelashes at me. “When do we get to meet him? Is he coming for dinner?”
“No and no,” I told him, pulling out the chopping board. “Hand me the cooking oil so I can start the fish.”
“Come on, Izzy,” Devon said pulling out the frying pan without being asked. “We're just looking out for you.”
“I know.” I turned and looked at the two of them. The three of us couldn't have looked more physically different, but I loved them both as if they were my own flesh and blood. “And I appreciate the two of you being SO concerned, but as much as I love having you both involved in my love life... no.”
Devon laughed and elbowed Lucas in the ribs. “She thinks we're trouble,” he whispered loud enough for the next island to hear.