Wash

I quickly unpacked and hurried out the door to explore the spectacular isle. At one-thirty, I attended a show at Marineland. I watched in awe as a crocodile was fed; I couldn’t believe that half-ton, seventeen-foot reptile was so agile, able to launch itself completely out of the water to gobble up an unsuspecting chicken. I even held a baby crocodile named Cuddles and had my portrait taken with the scaly, toothy little creature. The park was home to at least forty crocodiles, from giants to newly hatched babies.

The aquarium boasted 100 species of sea life, from stonefish and cute clownfish to epaulette sharks, turtles, lionfish, and giant painted crayfish. I loved the bright and colorful tropical fish and the coral. At a fish-feeding, I saw even more tropical fish in an even more brilliant rainbow of fluorescent and neon colors.

After I marveled at George J. Craig’s amazing private collection of primitive ancestral artifacts and maritime relics, I took the nighttime nature walk and saw turtles resting near the shore. It was simply remarkable, an unforgettable tour. Before heading back to the resort, I stopped in the gift shop and bought some coral and gemstone jewelry, as well as a genuine shark tooth, hanging from a black cord and fashioned into a necklace.

When I returned, Jake met my gaze, and I couldn’t stop my heart from thudding hard inside my chest. He was as amazing as any animal I’d seen that day, as strong as the crocodiles, as cute as the babies, and as beautiful as the colorful fish and coral. As much as I loathed him, there was no denying how hot he was in his ivory button-down shirt, khaki shorts, and sandals. He’d left a few buttons open, and the peek-a-boo view of his chest was mesmerizing. On top of that, he smelled so good. His hair was damp, so I assumed he was fresh out of the shower.

A smile slowly curved across his mouth. “You’ve been gone all day.”

“So? I’m trying to make the most of this vacation. This place is so peaceful, so tranquil. It’s a lot different than New York.”

“Yeah,” he said, sounding unimpressed. “Where did you go?” he asked.

“I spent some time with a dangerous fella I met on the island. We even took pictures. Care to see?”

He shook his head. “So now you’re gonna flaunt other men in my face?”

I handed him the picture. “Meet my new friend. His name is Cuddles.”

He glanced down and smiled. “Oh. Cute. Sorry I jumped to conclusions.”

I rolled my eyes and snatched the photo away from him.

“In the future, it’d be nice if you’d let me know where you’re going so I don’t worry.”

“Should I let you know when I go to the bathroom, too?” I asked with a smirk. “No one’s paying you to be my bodyguard, Jake…and I’m a big girl. I’ll go wherever I want, whenever I want, with whomever I want.”

He shook his head and fought a smile. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Ravenous.”

“Your attorney made dinner reservations for us on the beach,” he said.

I plopped down on the bed. “Funny. I don’t remember any rules stating I have to eat with you.”

“True.”

“Then if you don’t mind, I’m just gonna—”

“You don’t have to eat with me, but everything is closed now. You should’ve said your goodbyes to Cuddles a little sooner.”

I bit my lip hard as my stomach growled. I was starving and hadn’t eaten anything all day.

“So…will you do me the honor of accompanying me to dinner, Ashly Roberts?” he asked, grinning.

I slipped my shoes on. “I’ll go with you, but only to get my dinner to go so I can bring it back to the room.”

He shook his head “You can’t avoid me forever, Ashly.”

“Well, I aim to give it my best effort,” I said. “Let’s go, though. I’m starving.”

* * *

My long dress swirled around my ankles with the warm tropical breeze. I’d always found something so soft and romantic about white cotton, even with a high neckline that didn’t reveal any cleavage. I walked through the sand to the small, circular table that was already set up for us, covered with a pretty satin tablecloth and a vase full of tropical flowers in vibrant purples, oranges, and aquamarines. The chirping of birds intensified, overshadowing the rhythmical lapping of waves against the shore. I inhaled the salty scent of the ocean, with its hint of coconut. As if mirroring the bouquet centerpiece, purple, pink, and orange swirled in the glorious sky.

Jake shot me a leisurely glance. “You look beautiful,” he said. “You’re just…a vision.”

“Thank you.”