Moonlight and Margaritas by Cindy Stark Page B

skin.  When she stepped out of her suit, he picked it up and handed it to her.
    "Thank you," she managed, wishing she didn't sound so breathless. 
    "Anytime."  He hesitated, his heated gaze searing a path down her body, before he turned from her as though he had no idea of the effect he had on her.  He removed a tube from the first aid kit and began to slather white cream on her arm.  His fingers slipped over her skin bringing relief and a yearning to touch him at the same time. 
    "You're going to want to take this cream with you."  He stopped rubbing, put the lid on the tube and handed it to her.  He cleared his throat before continuing.  "These stings are going to itch pretty bad for the next couple of days."
    "Okay."  She accepted the medicine and then waited, expecting him to say something else.  Instead, he busied himself by cleaning the plastic card he'd used to scrape her arm and by tossing the wrappings from the antiseptic wipe into the trash. 
    "Thanks for your help."  She stood, hoping he'd continue their conversation so she wouldn't have to leave.
    "You're welcome."  He didn't look at her.  "If you're feeling okay, you probably ought to gather your stuff.  We'll be heading for port in just a few minutes."  His shift from sexy playboy back to reserved diving guide confused her.  A minute ago, she was sure he was mere seconds from kissing her, and now he'd suddenly turned cool again.  
    Maybe it was for the best.  Neither of them wanted complications, and this thing had already exceeded the limits of a one-night stand.
    She gathered her wetsuit without replying and headed back out on deck.

*      *      *
    Shit.  Joe turned over the engine on his boat, giving Paul and the guests the signal that they'd be moving soon.  What the hell was he doing flirting with Elena like that?  He'd fallen back under her spell without even realizing it.  He really needed to meet someone new.
    They'd had their fling.  It was time to move on.  He didn't need to be smacked upside the head with a marlin to know he was treading in dangerous waters.  He was attracted to her just a little more than was healthy for his current lifestyle plans, and that was exactly how his relationship with his last girlfriend had started. 
    That had to stop.  Now.
    Then again, maybe he should be patting himself on the back.  He'd been sorely tempted by Elena, but ultimately, he hadn't caved.  Things might have been a little dicey a few moments ago, but he'd extricated himself before he'd been sucked in too far.  He'd maintained control.  He was the man.
    Damn good thing he was headed to Mojitos later on.

*      *      *
    The boat rocked with each wave as Elena headed toward the wheelhouse.  Joe had pulled into Cabo's marina several minutes ago, giving her plenty of time to gather her gear and wait to see if he'd help his guests disembark.  Paul had assisted everyone instead.  She'd lingered on deck long enough to realize he was avoiding her.  Too bad.  She didn't want to leave without saying a final goodbye.
    As she hovered at the door of the wheelhouse, she found Joe and Paul standing just inside, both of them stripped of their diving gear and bare-chested.  Joe glanced up, his expression not unfriendly, but definitely wary.
    Elena smiled anyway.  "Thanks for an amazing experience today, at least most of the time.  I'll always remember it."
    Joe and Paul both nodded.  "You're welcome," Joe said.  "Are you doing okay?  If you'd like, Paul can drive you to the medical clinic so a doc can look at you."
    She shook her head.  "I'm okay.  Thanks to both of you.  Plus, the cream is really helping with the itching."
    "Good."
    Elena glanced between the two men, more nervous than she'd been before she'd talked to Joe for the first time the previous night.  "Would it be possible to speak to you alone?" she asked Joe.
    Paul widened his eyes as though it just registered to him that he might be hampering