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swam in sync doing back rolls and
side twists and turns. He slipped the camera from her wrist and snapped
pictures of her with the magnificent rays. Tess reached for the camera,
pointing downward. Tom dove down twelve feet and Tess took amazing shots of him
diving alongside the manta rays.
    The majestic manta rays disappeared back into the darkness
as swiftly as they appeared before them. Both were elated as they ripped their
masks off, lifting their heads out of the water.
    “That was amazing! I can’t believe how enormous they are.”
Tom was beside himself.
    Overcome with excitement, Tess threw her arms around his
neck. “That was awesome!  They swim so gracefully, like they’re dancing.
Finally, they showed up for me.” Her arms still clung to his neck, and her legs
automatically floated up to wrap around his waist. 
    “I was afraid you didn’t see them at first. I swam over as
fast as I could, so you wouldn’t miss them.” His strong hands slid beneath her
bottom and slightly adjusted her position for a more comfortable fit. Tom’s
fingers rested on her hips as they treaded water together.
    At that moment, Tess realized she’d wrapped herself around
him. She froze. The desire to kiss him was almost unbearable. Her heart
hammered in her chest as they bobbed up and down in the lagoon. The touch of
his skin uncoiled an ache deep within.
    Her gaze followed her fingers as they coasted across his
shoulders and draped behind his nape. Their eyes locked upon each other.
    Mr. Rene blew his conch shell, breaking the spell. A smile
touched his lips. She untangled herself from his lap and they swam for the
boat.
    “I have a perfect place for lunch today. We will celebrate
the show the great mantas put on for us.”
    Tess sat beside Tom unable to stop her feelings of
confusion. Her attraction for Tom had grown during their excursions, but so did
the feelings of guilt and cheating. Richard always wanted to see the manta
rays, he tried so many times, and today with Tom, they finally emerged from the
depths. The carved box from the day before consumed her thoughts, certain
Richard had already found his way to the majestic rays.
    “Are you okay, Tess?” Tom softly brushed his hand across her
shoulders.
    “I was just thinking. Do you ever think things happen for a
reason? Like they’re supposed to happen that way in life, good or bad?”
    “Actually, I do believe that.”
    “Me too.”
    He eyed her curiously, but she simply gazed out over the
water.
    They stopped for lunch on a beautiful unspoiled motu .
Tess and Tom strolled around the island talking about “the great manta
adventure”. Mr. Rene prepared coconut cocktails with an incredible lunch.
After, Tom explored the motu taking pictures while Tess relaxed on the
beach with her toes in the warm water. Calmness settled over her.
    “Would you like to stay here in paradise, or would you like
to snorkel some coral reefs?” asked Mr. Rene.
    Tom sat beside her in the sand.
    “I’d love to relax for a while, wouldn’t you?” She asked.
    “Sure," Tom agreed. “Your back is getting red. Would
you like me to put some sunscreen on it? I bought this great oil in the lobby
this morning. It’s made with coconut oil and vanilla.”
     She chuckled when he held up a bottle of her favorite monoi
oil. “You could use some on your back, too.” Tess buried her guilt and shrugged
off the fact that a gorgeous woman waited back at the resort for him. She
wanted his hands on her. Tess missed being touched by a man, even if only a
casual contact of his hand on her shoulder.
    They laid out beach towels and Tom handed her the oil as he
turned his back toward her. His body felt fit under her hands. Her fingers
wrapped around his sides, feeling every muscle in his back and shoulders. Her
heartbeat pounded in her ears and her hands trembled from nervousness.
    He faced her, taking the bottle from her fingers. “Lay down,
I’ll do your back.”
    She did as he asked, giggling