NautiCal (Forever Wilde 8)

Nonetheless, I resisted. He wasn’t actually my boyfriend, so I’d have to reserve any kisses to the times we were forced to play the boyfriend role.

“Let’s stay close to Lucas on this one,” I suggested. “We don’t know how strong the current will be and—”

I didn’t even have to finish before Worth nodded and murmured it was a good idea. The two of us got geared up and rolled back into the water.

The dive was excellent. We saw tons of fish and even a small nurse shark dozing under an overhang. I was relieved to get through it without the current causing any problems. It was a little hard getting everyone back in the boat with the increased chop, but everyone pitched in and stowed gear quickly so we could unmoor and motor back to the yacht.

Thankfully, the yacht was moored in a calmer spot, so when we got back on board, we sat down to a nice big lunch without having to fight the wind and waves. In the meantime, Mia and Jade had finished the online scuba class I’d set them up with and begged me to take them in the water after lunch for a taste of what it was like using the BC and regulator. I asked them several questions and was surprised to learn they’d taken the lessons seriously and retained the most important information.

“Okay, but let’s wait for me to digest this incredible meal first,” I said, pushing my plate forward in hopes that would make me stop eating. Julo had served grilled chicken skewers and a special Jamaican veggie slaw that was out of this world. I hadn’t been able to control myself. “I might need a siesta.”

Mia groaned and leaned back in her chair. “I both hate and love Julo.”

Worth chuckled. “Agreed.”

Nat’s eyes sparkled at her brother. “It’s nice to see you relaxing, Worth. Lucas and I were worried about you this summer. It seemed like you never left the office.”

I wondered if he would ever tell them about spending so much time down here earlier in the year. It wasn’t any of my business, but I thought maybe it would give them some peace of mind to know he took so much time to himself to try to get over the Mason situation.

“I was working on the CloudCorr deal,” he explained calmly. “It required lots of work since the company was acquired only two weeks after completing the funding round.”

Nat and Lucas both shot him looks. I didn’t want to see the conversation turn into an intervention, so I tried to change the subject.

“My brother once snuck onto a yacht to steal a Delacroix painting,” I blurted.

The table went silent, and all the heads swiveled toward me in slow motion.

“Um, he’s… well, he was an art thief. Ahem, allegedly. And when the authorities brought him on board to help take down another art thief, they needed him to steal a painting from this guy’s yacht in the Mediterranean.”

Worth sighed. He didn’t believe a word I was saying, which made me feel oddly giddy. It wasn’t a believable story, but it was a hundred percent true.

“Sneaking onto yachts must run in your family,” Prescott mused.

Oh no he didn’t.

I snapped my head around and glared at him. “I was invited on this yacht,” I said pointedly, wanting desperately to point out that he had been the one to invite me.

“I was only kidding,” Prescott said. “Lighten up.”

Worth stiffened in the seat next to mine, but I latched onto his thigh under the table and squeezed to keep him from saying something he’d regret.

“Maybe I’ll take that siesta after all,” I said, standing up. “Mia, Jade… how about two hours and then we’ll head over to the Aquarium? It’s a nice shallow site which is great for beginners. Whoever else wants to come is welcome to join us as long as your dive computer says it’s okay.”

Nat grabbed my arm. “Wait, I want to hear more about the art thief.”

“That was just a teaser. I’ll tell the whole story at dinner when there’s alcohol involved.”

I smiled at everyone and cleared my dishes to the galley despite Julo’s judgmental look at me doing any cleanup. Freya was standing between the galley and the doorway to the bridge where I could hear Captain Vin talking. I stepped up to poke my head in and ask if it would be okay if I took the tender to the dive site later. I was sure it was, but I didn’t want to make assumptions with the captain of the ship.

He agreed easily, and I made my way downstairs to the stateroom. Worth was already there.

“Prescott Resnick is an ass,” he grumbled.

“Yep.” I threw myself down on the cool duvet and bunched up a pillow under my head. “Sorry to bail, but I really did eat too much. Julo is a stealthy weapon if you ever need to incapacitate an enemy.”