Moonlight and Margaritas by Cindy Stark Page A

they were right in front of me.  I tried to avoid them, but then they were around me, and…" 
    "It happens."  He turned to Paul.  "I'm going to take Elena into the wheelhouse to finish this.  Why don't you help the guests with their gear, and then we'll get underway."
    Joe lifted the first aid kit and then held out an elbow to her.  She gripped his biceps and pulled herself to her feet.  Holding on to his warm flesh made her feel safe, and she didn't let go until they were inside. 
    The wheelhouse was shaded from the bright sun and considerably quieter than the deck.  Despite her discomfort, she couldn't help noticing this was the first time they'd been alone since their encounter, and the incessant sexual pull he had on her hadn't diminished in the slightest.
    "Have a seat."  Joe indicated a soft, leather chair along the side, and she sank into the plush seat.  He set the first aid kit on the table next to her and removed a small plastic card.  Lifting her arm, he inspected it and began to scrape the paste from her skin, exposing the bright red welts.  His fingers were firm against the underside of her forearm, and despite the circumstances, she enjoyed his touch.
    He shifted his gaze between her and his task.  "The paste Paul put on helps neutralize the toxins from the nematocysts so they don't release more poison when I remove them." 
    She watched his mouth as he talked, waiting for the words which would showcase his dimples.  "How long is this going to hurt?" 
    "The pain doesn't last too long.  It's the itching that's going to haunt you."  He finished scraping her skin and then cleaned the area with an antiseptic wipe. 
    "Am I good?" she asked, wondering if he'd finished his ministrations.
    His gaze flew to hers, a hint of humor sparkled in his eyes.  "Yes.  You are definitely good."
    Her cheeks heated.  She should have recognized that was a loaded question.  "I didn't mean it like that."
    He chuckled.  "I know what you meant."  He reached out and grasped the zipper on her wetsuit and slid it down a couple of inches.  "Why don't you let me help you get out of this?"
    "Um, wow."  That was an unexpected, yet not unwelcome shift in demeanor.  She loved this flirtatious side of him so much more than the cool persona she'd been dealing with all day.  "You go from doctor to flirt in no time flat."
    "Actually, I'm still playing doctor."  He slid his lips into a slow, easy smile.  "As soon as you're out of this suit, I have some cream that will help with the itching."
    She smiled back, knowing that he'd purposefully led her down that seductive road, knowing she'd take the bait and follow him.  After all, the previous evening had been filled with similar conversations.  "Then by all means, let me strip for you, doctor."  Two could play that game.
    He widened his eyes and nodded.  "By all means."
    She rolled her eyes and then caught his gaze as she reached for her zipper.  The longing inside her was like dry tinder and caught fire with one look of his smoldering gaze.  She slid the zipper slowly down past her breasts, inching her way across her stomach.  He followed her movements, looking like he was devouring each new stretch of skin she bared.  By the time she reached the top of her bikini bottom, she was more than a little turned on.
    She slid her wetsuit off one shoulder and down her arm, keeping her gaze focused on him, not sure where this little game of flirtation would lead, though if asked, she did have a few ideas.  Reaching for the opposite shoulder, she tugged the fabric and then gasped as the stretchy neoprene tightened over the long, snaking welts on her arm.  She couldn't stop her expletive.
    "See why you need me?"   He grinned and took hold of the neoprene, helping to ease her arm out of the suit.  But he didn't stop there.  He slipped his arms around her waist, tugging the black and purple fabric over her hips and down her legs, sending goosebumps racing over her bare