Wicked Sexy (Men of Discovery Island 1)

“I NEED A plan of attack.”

Tag didn’t look up from his laptop when Daeg slammed into the dive shop, just waved Daeg toward an empty spot on the counter. “Take a seat. The doctor will be right in.”

Daeg shoved aside a pile of salty wet suits. “You should rinse those, hang them up,” he observed.

“Feel free.” Cal shot him a wide grin. “Partner.”

Right. He’d been happy to volunteer the cash when Cal and Tag had come to him with the idea for Deep Dive. Cash was easy. He had plenty squirreled away and he’d always lived simply. And he had a gut feeling that Deep Dive was going to be a success. He’d never intended for his involvement with the business to go much beyond a check and the occasional helping hand.

“So.” Tag slowly closed the lid of the laptop. “You got something that needs discussing?”

“Yeah.” He hesitated. How did women spend so much time discussing their relationships? He’d rather have done a reverse two and a half somersault out the chopper door. And into shark-infested waters. Uh-huh, that definitely sounded easier.

“Let me help you out here.” Cal approached the counter. “You’ve finally woken up to the fact that Dani Andrews just might be a keeper. Unfortunately for you, soldier, you’re a little slow on the uptake, not sure how to handle the unfamiliar terrain and you’ve got incoming.”

Tag grinned. Again. Daeg decided punching his friend in the jaw probably wouldn’t be helpful. Even if it would be satisfying. “I heard her ex was back in town,” Tag volunteered.

“That’s true.” Daeg spoke, surprised no one could hear his teeth grinding.

“He’s good-looking, well-off and comes bearing gifts of jewelry,” Cal added cheerfully. “Which means he’s definitely ahead of you in the game. He’s serious and he’s playing for keeps.”

Tag eyed Cal. “How do you know all this?”

“Sisters,” Cal replied. “Sisters who have girlfriends. And cousins. A man can learn a lot if he listens. I told you to come by my house and meet everyone.”

“Enemy intel.” Tag whistled. “Clever.”

Cal replied and the two men bantered back and forth for a few minutes. Then both turned their attention back to Daeg, who still didn’t know what he should do.

“You started a thing with Dani Andrews,” Cal stated.

“She’s not a thing.” He cared about her unconditionally, but she was her own person. He respected that.

“Good.” Cal smiled. “Because, like I said, this Rick Lane is playing for keeps. He’s got a shared past with Dani, he’s come ready to grovel and he’s got that ring. He’s made it clear he’s sticking around to see it through.”

“He won’t stay here on the island.” Daeg was sure of that. He recognized a “get in and get out” mission when he saw one.

“True.” Tag eyed Daeg. “Question is, what are your plans?”

“Are you re-upping?” Cal asked.

“I was planning on it.”

“Sure.” Cal had a seat and propped his feet up on the desk. “That was last week, though. We’re inquiring about this week’s agenda, aren’t we, Tag?”

“We are.”

“Are you planning on sticking around, or do you still ship out at the end of the month?”

He hadn’t signed the paperwork. If he wanted, he could let the clock run out on his R & R. He could stay, become full time at Deep Dive. Maybe pop over to the mainland and see Dani. He tested that thought and it wasn’t as terrifying as he’d expected. He didn’t want to spend every minute of every day he had left parked on Discovery Island, but he didn’t feel the need to hightail it back to the military right this second. Huh. That was interesting right there.

“He’s thinking about sticking,” Cal observed.

“I am.” He said it, and thinking about it got easier. This was Dani. Somehow, sticking near her and by her wasn’t scary at all. He didn’t feel the need to get up and go when he was with her. On the contrary, he wanted to hunker down some and stay put because he couldn’t imagine being happier with anyone, anyplace. She made him feel things he hadn’t known he wanted or missed.

Hell.

“So next question.” Tag steepled his fingers. “And I’ll ask this one, Cal, so you owe me. Particularly if our boy here hauls off and hits me. Is this just about the sex and having hot summer fun, or does sticking around also imply a longer relationship?”