TONY: Slow Burn (Raging Fire Book 1) by Kallypso Masters (the false prince TXT) 📕

“By the way,” Tony began, “while waiting for my connection in Atlanta, I called a local dive shop, and they’ll be able to accommodate me for some lessons this week.”

“That’s wonderful! You’ll probably find some firefighters and EMTs in the classes. I’ve had at least one first responder in every class I’ve taken on past dives.”

Why had it taken Tony so long to discover the secret of how therapeutic diving could be? Because you haven’t needed therapy before.

“When you aren’t taking your lessons, maybe you can join one of my recreational dives, if they still have room. I’m going to explore a shipwreck on Wednesday and a coral reef Thursday.”

“I don’t have my shipwreck certification card yet.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much. You can go up to the wreck without one, but they have yet to ask me for proof of mine to go inside the two wrecks I’ve been to in the past. Even if they do ask, we might get a divemaster who doesn’t object to letting you inside, as long as you stay close to him or her.”

“Sounds good to me.” They compared dive schedules, and it sounded as though he would be able to join her if there was space for another diver on the boat. “I’ll see if I can do the coral reef one, too. What are you doing tomorrow?”

“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been on a dive, so I’m doing a refresher in the late afternoon and an evening lecture on nighttime diving. On Friday, I’m hoping to continue my certification for night diving.”

“What can you see underwater at night?”

“Oh, T.G.,” she turned toward him, and her face lit up, “from the videos I’ve watched, it’s a whole different world down there at night. The dive light casts an eerie glow, and nocturnal animals come out from everywhere.”

“Like sharks?”

She laughed and resumed walking, but he thought it was a pertinent question. “Of course, but most sharks won’t bother you.”

“I just don’t want to meet any that object to my invasion of their territory—or mistake me for their dinner.”

Carm flicked her hand in the air, swatting away his concerns. Despite his worries about what they might encounter down there at night, he was determined to get into that lecture tomorrow and to join her on those after-dark dives. Maybe he could ward off any predators—marine or human—that might come at Carm.

Shipwreck and coral reef diving sounded interesting, though. He sure wouldn’t find any of those to explore back in Colorado and didn’t want to pass up any opportunity to dive this week. Experiencing them with Carm would be icing on the cake.

Yeah, perhaps in time he’d eventually convince himself that the only diving he was talking about was in the water—not diving between the sheets with this beautiful woman. He ought to stay away from her for her own sake, but the more time he spent with Carm, the more he wanted.

As they neared a strip of restaurants, Carm asked, “I hope you’re in the mood for seafood tonight.”

I’m more in the mood for you.

The thought of tasting her became foremost in his mind until he shook the fantasy away and said, “I wouldn’t eat anything else on an island.”

“What’s your favorite?”

“Living in a mountainous, landlocked state, I pretty much love everything except sushi.”

“Same here. Well, and squid.”

Just you wait until my family’s Feast of the Seven Fishes. More than ever, he hoped he’d be able to share that with her this Christmas.

“I was told there’s a place along here somewhere that has fabulous shrimp, crab, and scallops.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Which?”

“All three,” he said. “I’ll get a platter. Haven’t eaten much today. And dinner’s on me to thank you for inviting me to join you.”

“Okay, thanks. I’ll get tomorrow’s dinner—unless you’re cooking for me before class, in which case, I’ll pick up the tab for the groceries.”

“Fair enough.” Not that he would let her spend a lot of money on him this week.

The ocean water came closer to their feet with each surge, but they remained dry until a particularly aggressive wave came barreling toward them. Carm laughed and tried to escape getting wet.

Tony wrapped his arm around her waist, lifted her up, and pulled her against him. Staring at her face, he became aware of how much he wanted to kiss her. Carm’s smile faded as her gaze lowered from his eyes to his lips. Her fingertips stroked the back of his head and tickled the nape of his neck.

God, I want to kiss you in the worst way, Carm.

The admission finally broke through all the bullshit he’d been telling himself about why he went to the airport to join her. Coming here had little to do with diving in tropical waters and a whole lot more to do with spending time with Carm and seeing where it might take them.

Before he could act on the impulse to kiss her, Carm leaned in and placed her warm lips against his, taking him by surprise. There was nothing hotter than a woman who went after what she wanted. Needing no further invitation, he tightened his hold and slowly eased her body down the length of his. Tony placed his hand behind her head, pressed his tongue against her lips, and deepened the kiss when she welcomed him inside.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Yes!

Carm had wanted to kiss Tony for the longest time, but waiting for this man to make a move was like watching molasses flow down Capitol Peak in January. When the wave had come at them and she wound up in Tony’s arms, she’d decided to set the tone for what she wanted this week. And she wanted Tony.

His hand holding her head in place was all the proof she needed that he wanted this too. His firm yet pliant lips pressed against her softer ones, then his tongue teased her lips until she was at a fever pitch for more.

Opening her mouth to him, Tony’s tongue dove right in