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Viv groaned loudly, setting off a round of sympathy and chuckles.
“I hope you got some insight into your new housemates. Don’t forget that you’re here to connect with people. Couples are likely to change along the way, so don’t feel too much pressure to commit early.”
Too late.
“But for the rest of the afternoon, you’ll be going on an adventure! We have a treat for you down at the dock, so lace up those swimsuits, put on your best sunnies, and don’t forget the SPF. We’re sending you snorkeling! It’s time for some fun in the sun!”
A jolt of excitement worked its way through me as we all cheered. Merely looking out at the crystal-blue water made me want to strip down and jump in. The need to do something physical was making my skin itch, and Troy had just delivered the perfect release.
“Thanks, Troy!” Zander said into the receiver.
“Bye, guys! Get out there and have some fun!” Troy cheered. When the line went dead, it was like the starting gun for a race.
We scrambled off the low couches, bounded up the stairs, and dove into the wardrobe room to change quickly. Sophie breezed by me, headed toward the glam room with Viv, who was adamant they remove their makeup before the sea did it for them. Sophie laughed, saying something about raccoons learning to swim, and short-circuited my brain when she came out in a white swimsuit that highlighted every arch and bend of her body.
The woman was temptation incarnate—all lush curves and tantalizing peaks and valleys I wanted to get lost in. She was a few inches shorter than my six-foot-one, and I loved that I didn’t have to pull a muscle in my neck to kiss her. And that kiss last night… I swore I could still taste her on my tongue, and I needed more.
It was all I could think about today, and I was mildly put out that Cheryl had asked for me to hang out with her in the kitchen while she sobered up. I had every intention of finding Sophie again last night, but chivalry won out. Cheryl had been unsteady on her feet after all the drinks Daniel had mixed up for her, and after guiding her up to the house, I thought it better to make sure she didn’t get sick in the bed we were sharing.
By the time we’d gotten upstairs, Oliver was in bed with Sophie, and she was fast asleep in his arms. The sheet had been draped over one thigh, revealing the other, and I wanted to lick and taste her soft skin.
My cock hardened at the memory, and I quickly redirected my thoughts to anything else. I didn’t want to be sporting a semi in front of the group.
After attempting to recite the alphabet backward, I looked over at Oliver and sized up my competition.
He had an inch or two on me in height and was conventionally attractive; I supposed. But he was a little boring. My boner further deflated, so at least he was good for that. Sophie seemed like the type of person who enjoyed adventure. She was bold, confident, and came off so self-assured that sometimes it was intimidating.
And while she may share a bed with Oliver at the moment, I had every intention of offering something else. Besides, it had only been one night. There was time to sway her to Team Diego, and snorkeling together was the perfect opportunity to do that.
“Hey, ready?” Oliver asked, shaking me out of my thoughts.
I realized we were the last two in the room, and I was suddenly desperate to get out of there and find Sophie before he did.
“Yep, let’s go,” I bit out. I turned toward the door, but he stopped me with a hand on my shoulder and a concerned look on his face.
“Look, I won’t apologize for being into Sophie. I get you don’t like it, but I can’t help who I’m drawn to,” he said, not trying to sugarcoat it, which I respected, even if I hated the words coming out of his mouth. “It’s the whole reason we’re here.”
“Understood, but it’s not entirely up to us and whowe’redrawn to.” There was a pregnant pause as we faced off. Oliver looked at me quizzically, and I reminded him of a key detail. “The audience has just as much say as we do.” Leaving that little nugget in his lap, I strode through the door and called over my shoulder, “But I’m going to make sure they choose me for her.”
Oliver laughed as he followed me down the stairs. “Oh, game on.”
Everyone else was gathered in the kitchen, so once we joined them, we made our way down to the beach. I walked next to Sophie, having reached her milliseconds before Oliver.
She peeked up at me from beneath her lashes and smiled hesitantly. She seemed tense about today’s outing, and as she fiddled with the wrap thing she’d put on over her white swimsuit, I realized she was trying to hide her nerves from everyone; me included.
“Don’t look so nervous,” I said, taking her hand in mine and running a thumb across the back. She squeezed my rough hand with her soft one as we continued barefoot through the sand toward the dock with the others. I spotted a big white boat bobbing next to the wooden pier and immediately knew this boating experience would be far better than the blindfolded one we’d had when we arrived.
“Wait, you can swim, right?” I asked.
“Sure. In a pool. Or near the sand at the beach. This feels like a different kettle of fish.”
“It’s basically the same thing. This is going to be fun!”
“Yeah, fun. Our only source of air will be a tube the size of a toothpick, and the crushing pressure of the sea around us will feel like a hug from my great aunt, Mildred.” She did a thumbs-up with her free hand. “Awesome.”
I tipped my head back, laughing at the grim resignation on her face. “What if I could promise you there’s nothing to worry about?”
She cocked her perfect brow skeptically, daring me to follow through.
