They were going higher and higher. The boat driver gunned it and instead of floating they started flying through the air. Maryn screamed.
“Do you want to stop?” Tucker asked.
“No way! This is awesome! Yahoo!” Maryn hollered. Her hair blew behind them in the wind. She closed her eyes to savor the touch of the sun and the breeze.
Tucker laughed.
The boat slowed and they floated down and almost dipped in the water before the driver gunned the engine and they shot forward then up again. Maryn giggled from the butterflies in her stomach. This was much better than a rollercoaster ride. She wasn’t ready to puke and she was actually enjoying the sensation. Her mom had never been able to afford theme parks but Alyssa’s dad had taken them to Disneyland a few times and she absolutely hated the drops in height on the rides. But this was different, and much more enjoyable.
She realized she was clinging to Tucker’s hand. She let go. “Sorry. I really am loving it.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
They were floating along now and the view of the boats, beach, and island vegetation was beautiful.
“You don’t ever have to do anything you don’t want to do when you’re with me,” Tuck said.
She turned her gaze from the view to his deep brown eyes. “I know that, Tuck.” She paused and flung out a hand to encompass the beautiful ocean. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long, but never been brave enough. Thank you.”
He grinned. “I’d like to make more of your dreams come true.”
Maryn’s breath caught at the implication. The boat slowed at the same time and they dipped down. She cried out in surprise then laughed. When they levelled out again, she said, “I’m holding you to that.”
ChapterSixteen
They were turning in their snorkeling gear after a decent snorkel at Lover’s Cove when Tucker felt eyes on him. He spun around and Hawaiian shirt was staring at him. The guy ducked into the bathroom.
“Excuse me for a minute,” he said to Maryn. Her hair was plastered to her head from the snorkeling gear and water. Her bright blue eyes sparkled at him and he couldn’t help but smile at her.
“Sure. I’ll just wait down on the beach.”
“I’ll get your paddle boards down there and waiting for you,” Travis, the bleached-blond guy who’d helped them all day, said.
“Thank you.” Tucker gave Maryn one more smile before striding to the bathroom. Banging into the bathroom, he looked around, but it appeared to be empty. He used the urinal, flushed, washed his hands, and then pushed open the door. Letting the door close again, he didn’t move. Five seconds later, Hawaiian shirt came out of a stall.
The guy swore loudly when he saw him. Tuck walked slowly to him and didn’t touch him, but he got in his space. “Why are you following us?”
“I-I’m not.” The guy’s black eyes darted around the bathroom, anywhere but at Tuck.
“Do I look like somebody you want to mess with?”
The guy finally met his eye and shook his head quickly. He backed toward the wall.
“Be square with me and I might not rough you up.” Tuck didn’t like to threaten, but he wanted some answers. He probably could’ve offered the guy money and got faster results, but he hated bribes worse than threats and he was ticked that this guy was following them.
“I’m not watching you,” the guy’s voice quavered. “Please. Just let me go.”
Tucker took a step closer. “Tell me now!”
“I’m watching the girl.”
“Why?” That was what he feared.
“She’s hot.” A quick grin flitted across his face but left quickly.
Tucker grabbed his shirt and slammed him into the wall. “So you want to get beat?”