“Roddy, what the heck, man?” A big, brawny guy walked out of the cabin on the boat beside Roddy. He had a small tattoo on his neck, muscles upon muscles, and a scowl on his handsome face. “It’s the ass crack of dawn and you’re out here hollerin’.”
“Ohmygod!” Carly sank lower into the water, and Zev angled himself toward the guy so he couldn’t see her body. “Who is that?”
“He’s a buddy of mine, Archer Steele,” Zev said. “He’s a good guy with a big chip on his shoulder.”
“Sorry, Archer.” Roddy nodded toward the water and said, “I saw Braden out there and wanted to say hello.”
“Zev’s back?” Archer squinted out toward the water.
Carly ducked a little lower. Nothing to see over here. Please go away!
“Hey, dude. Sorry to wake you,” Zev hollered. “We were just…taking a morning swim.”
Carly imagined him smirking.
“I bet you are.” Archer chuckled and shook his head. “Hey, Roddy, give these two some privacy, will ya?”
“What?” Roddy scratched his head. He looked at Carly and Zev again and said, “Aw, Jiminy Cricket. Been there myself a few dozen times with the missus. Nice to meet you, Carly. You kids have fun. I’ll just be on my way.” He turned and walked down the dock toward shore.
Archer hollered, “You’re welcome!” and headed into the cabin of his boat.
Carly let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding as Zev turned around with the biggest grin she’d seen in a long time. When she opened her mouth to complain, all that came out was laughter.
“Sorry, babe,” Zev said through his laughs. “I forgot that Roddy comes out here so early.”
“Like I said…” She wound her arms around his neck and said, “What’s the worst that can happen?”
“You know I’m too possessive to let anyone see you naked,” he said, and pressed his lips to hers.
“Zev!” another male voice called out. “Get your naked ass out of that water! We brought breakfast.”
A tall, fit guy with short light brown hair was walking down the dock carrying a to-go tray of coffee cups. He wore a long-sleeved shirt, shorts, and a cocky smirk. Behind him, a slim brunette in a sweatshirt and shorts was talking with Roddy.
Zev chuckled. “It’s just Ford. That’s Randi behind him.”
“Great,” she said and hollered, “Anyone else want to see me naked?”
Zev looked over his shoulder, flashing a wolfish grin.
Carly shook her head and said, “You had better find a way to get me out of here without my coochie being seen, or it’ll be a long time before you see it again.”
“FAIR WARNING,” ZEV hollered as he climbed into the boat. “Sea snake on board.” He grabbed one of the towels Ford had tossed on the deck and toweled off.
“Cover up those raisins before you embarrass all of us,” Ford called from the equipment room, where he and Randi were looking over their supplies.
Zev pulled on his shorts. Chuckling, he held up a towel as Carly climbed out of the water, blocking her from Ford’s view, and wrapped it around her.
“Thanks.” She secured the top of the towel with a quick tuck.
“Want to put my shirt on?”
“No, this is fine. I’ll get dressed after I say hello to your friends.” Her gaze moved over his shoulder, and a smile lit up her eyes. “The island is even more beautiful in person than it is in pictures. Look at all of those pretty houses overlooking the water, and that restaurant built right on the marina. There’s the ferry! And look. I can see Silver Monument.” She pointed to the monument in the distance. “Will we have time to see Fortune’s Landing or the wildlife sanctuary while we’re here?”
“I think we can fit those in. But if we don’t, we’ll put them on the top of our one-day list.”
“Sounds perfect.” She took his hand and said, “I still can’t believe I’m here with you. I feel like I’m dreaming.”
He pulled her closer and said, “I’m going to make all your dreams come true.” He lowered his lips to hers in a sweet kiss.
“Ahem,” Randi said as she and Ford walked out on the deck.
Carly blushed, holding tight to Zev’s hand, and said, “Hi. I’m Carly. You must be the other two members of the Fearless Threesome.”
“That’s right. I’m Alex Pettyfer,” Ford said with a British accent and a big-ass grin. “Nice to meet you.”