Deep Diving

  Deep Diving

  Cate Ellink

  www.escapepublishing.com.au

  Deep Diving

  Cate Ellink

  From Cate Ellink comes a sun-soaked, sandy, seaside erotic novel about a tropical paradise, two athletes used to getting physical, and a sex-filled, no-strings holiday fling.

  Samantha is celebrating her newly retired status from competitive triathlons with a diving holiday in her favourite place in the world: Australia’s Lord Howe Island. But all divers need a buddy, and Sam can’t dive solo. A chance meeting with rugby league superstar Cooper Sterling in the dive shop seems serendipitous. Sam can’t wait to have a partner who might be able to keep up with her.

  It soon becomes evident that Cooper and Sam are compatible both in and out of the water, and things gets seriously sexy. But Sam is disinclined to be another football groupie, and Cooper has been burned before. So the rules are clear: a holiday fling, no strings attached, and they part as friends at the end.

  But as the final days of their time together come to a close and a life apart becomes a reality, Sam and Cooper start to question their decision. Is this holiday fling really the finish line or can Sam and Cooper turn their friendly competition into more than sizzling sex?

  About the Author

  Cate Ellink loves scuba diving, snorkelling, photography, holidays on Lord Howe Island, and rugby league. She’s not so fond of running or hiking up hills and knows nothing about fame.

  Cate’s an Eels fan (but don’t hold that against her) who spent the 1980s collecting autographs of her favourite players. That’s as close as she came to rugby league stars.

  Cate lives near the beach in NSW, Australia, with a long-suffering husband. She has one other book with Escape Publishing, The Virginity Mission, and has published a few short stories.

  You can find out more on her website: www.cateellink.com

  Acknowledgements

  I write with a large cast helping me in the background. I can’t do without them! Any errors, however, are all my own. Much thanks and appreciation to:

  Ainslie Paton, who helped shape this story when I had it mixed up with another at the start, and then when I messed the ending.

  Rhyll Biest for giving awesome feedback.

  Mel Teshco went chapter by chapter helping me to get my words in order and reducing my repetition.

  Stephan Kern encouraged me to write a less timid heroine.

  Mervet McClintock has been on my writing journey from the beginning and always offers helpful suggestions.

  Many others also support my writing dreams including Sandra Linklater, Judy O’Connor, Anita Joy, Lisa Roderick, Anna Simons, Sheridan Kent, and the other Naughty Ninjas: Lily Malone, Georgina Penney, Andra Ashe, Roz Groves, Sarah Belle and Sandra Antonelli.

  I would never be published without the support of the Romance Writers of Australia, and the erotic group of authors.

  Escape Publishing and Kate Cuthbert who take a chance on my stories, and Julia Knapman for being a fabulous editor and picking up thousands of repetitions and silly things.

  My Dad, Jim. He’s a constant support to my writing and my life. He assures me I can’t shock him — hope this one doesn’t either, Dad!

  My sisters, their families, and my friends who have always put up with my craziness.

  My Aunty Faye, Uncle Len, my cousin Wendy and her husband Andreas, for an afternoon of chatting about erotic writing without embarrassment.

  Rugby League. I’ve been a fan since I was a kid (go the mighty Eels!). Two number sevens have caught my imagination — one in the 80s and one now. My hero was inspired by these men. I thank them for their contribution to my life, even though I’ve never met them (and they’d probably find it creepy!).

  My husband. He’s survived another book, more conversations about sex, hours of football, and competed for my time against my imaginary hero — thank you for being by my side.

  My Dad, Jim, who introduced me to Rugby League

  Dear Reader,

  I love sports. I’m not great at them but I enjoy lots of different kinds. I’ve been a rugby league fan for a long time and while watching the 2012 grand final, I was captivated by the winning team’s halfback. He’s a genius, always busy up front or behind the scenes and then has these pinpoint-accurate end of play kicks. I started to wonder, how could you meet someone like him? And could you help falling in love?

  I’ve never met him, and I know next to nothing about him, but over the last year I’ve invented my version of Cooper, Samantha’s hero. Although I’ve borrowed a body and a job, everything is a figment of my imagination. And the fact that I wrote a lot of this story while watching footy games is just a bonus.

  Samantha and I have little in common. She came about because a friend told me I needed to write a ‘kick-ass’ heroine and not another girl with doubts. Sam’s got a few misgivings because I couldn’t get rid of mine completely! But I hope she’s worthy of Cooper, and vice versa.

  I’ve enjoyed the trip to Lord Howe Island, one of my favourite places, with Sam and Cooper. I hope you’ll enjoy it too.

  With my best wishes,

  Cate xo

  Contents

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Bestselling Titles by Escape Publishing…

  Chapter 1

  My wolf-whistle cuts through the morning stillness, loud, shrill and penetrating. The stranger doesn’t turn. His stride shortens for one step but that’s the only indication he’s heard me. A smile sneaks across my mouth, twisting as I try to stop it from blooming into a full laugh. I’ve got no class.

  I’m perving. Hidden behind sunglasses, squinting in the sunshine, I’m availing myself of the unexpected addition to an already stunning view. I usually go for long, lean athletes. This guy is stocky but he’s definitely an athlete. Muscles upon muscles, layered and sculpted to perfection. His gait is long and easy. He’s about my height but built like a brick outhouse, as my pop would have said. A very attractive one if the rear is anything to go by. He has huge calves, thick flexing thighs, and tight butt cheeks rounding out his shorts decadently. How would my hand go curving around those gluteus maximuses, or is it maximi in pairs? I’d need both hands for sure. They twitch, palms sweating, fingers wriggling, eager to close in on their target.

  He’s alone and heading towards the dive shack, like me. I hope he’s solo. I wouldn’t mind him for a dive buddy. I’d have some delicious moments of viewing pleasure.

  I follow him into the building where we both check in. After giving my name, Samantha Caine, I turn towards him immediately. ‘Hi. I’m Sam. How you doing?’ I extend my hand.

  He smiles and the air hitches in my throat. Beautiful white teeth, double dimples on the left, single on the right, smile lines fanning from gleaming brown eyes. His head tips marginally to the right. Our handshake lodges the breath firmly in my throat — rough flesh rubs against my palm as thick, strong fingers detain mine.

  ‘I’m doing well, thanks. I’m Cooper Sterling. Nice to meet you, Sam.’ His voice makes my bones melt. Thank God for my sunglasses. I’m seriously hiding behind them now.

  He gives me back my hand and a gasp spills out in a hurry. ‘You too.’ We stand in awkward silence for a moment. My wits are scattered and I need time to gather them. I don’t fluster like this. I’ve been around too many a
ttractive men to act like a goofy teenager. A woman’s voice from outside the dive shack has me collecting myself quickly. I buddied with her yesterday and I don’t want to again. I don’t appreciate diving when my buddy, my underwater safety check, leaves me alone in the water.

  ‘Been diving here before, Cooper?’

  ‘No. My first visit to Lord Howe Island. You?’

  ‘I’ve been a few times.’ I laugh softly before admitting, ‘More than a few. I don’t bother going anywhere else. This place has claimed my soul.’

  ‘It’s that good?’ He smiles as he questions, with eyebrows lifting. His face is chiselled angles and planes, with fine eyebrows and chocolate eyes. Not classically beautiful but broad, square and attractive.

  ‘I think so. But then I like coloured fish, coral, diving and snorkelling. I also like being able to walk around and feel safe, even at night.’

  ‘You’re on your own?’ At my nod, he says, ‘Me too.’

  ‘Oh.’ I hesitate for just a moment, wondering if I should ask, but hell, life’s there for the risk-takers, not nancy-girls. ‘Are you looking for a buddy?’ I pause again, thinking I should add more but unsure of what it should be.

  ‘Yeah, I am, but I’m not a great buddy. I like to take my time, look at the little things.’ He has thick brown hair that overhangs his forehead and softens his face. His lips are plump and dusky pink on a mouth that looks like it easily smiles. Curves dip at the edges, not quite dimples at the moment, making him look friendly. If he stays anywhere close, I’ll enjoy watching him. He’s solid as well as cute.

  ‘Sounds like my kind of diving. I’m not after competition, I’m an explorer.’

  He holds out his hand. ‘Looking forward to diving with you then, Sam.’ When I slip my hand in his, it’s dwarfed and a warmth spreads along my arm. For a moment I bask in that wonderful sensation of being surrounded and comforted. And then I squeeze his hand slightly and whip out a charming smile. I keep these smiles especially for men who know they’re hot and expect you to fall at their feet. It makes them think you’re not immune. His confidence is huge. I need to control my reaction to him, or I’ll look like an easy sexual conquest. Before I can say anything, he speaks.

  ‘There’s one condition I have for my dive buddy.’ He pauses until I look at him. He’s staring intently at me, his eyes almost sparkling, making me think he’s going to say something sexy and smart. ‘No wolf-whistles. It’s uncool.’

  I burst out laughing. ‘Yeah, I can be like that. I’ll try not to let the uncoolness out again. Shall we go get our gear?’

  For the briefest moment his eyes widen at my blasé attitude. I guess he wanted me to repent or squirm but I don’t. I secretly grin. He recovers quickly and follows me towards the side shed where the gear’s stored.

  My off-hand attitude’s got me out of tricky situations. People think I’m not smart, or easily pushed around, and then I hit them with an unsuspecting move — like shrugging off a concern or taking control of a dive partnership. Men like Cooper expect to be in control. They don’t realise that I do too.

  ‘I’m from Adelaide. I take it you’re from Australia too?’ His accent is Australian, so I’m guessing he’s from the mainland.

  ‘Melbourne.’ Short and sharp.

  I’m not going to let it worry me. ‘Oh, I grew up there.’ He doesn’t follow my lead so I don’t push the subject. That’s fine. I’ll stick to diving.

  While we’re collecting gear, I ask him about the underwater signals he’s accustomed to and we run through them. He has no hesitation in chatting about diving.

  Armed with our scuba kit, we assemble it and load onto the boat. Once everyone’s aboard it’s only a short trip to the dive site, Erscotts Hole.

  The brief from Brian, the divemaster, is quick but thorough and Cooper nods in the appropriate places. He seems to be serious about his diving, which gives me confidence that he may be an okay buddy. Useful, not just pretty.

  When our gear’s donned and we’ve done our buddy checks, we’re given the nod that it’s our turn to enter the water.

  ‘Good diving, Sammy,’ Cooper says as he takes the giant stride entry into the water. I roll my eyes. Sammy. Excellent. Calling me that makes me feel 15, not 38. I know I don’t act my age and I don’t look it, but…Sammy? I shake my head. My taking the lead is not going to be easy, but I love a challenge.

  Holding the regulator in my mouth with the heel of my hand, and my mask tight to my face with spread fingers, I take the giant stride entry too. The cool water finds every way to enter the wetsuit and chill me. I surface, shivering. I give the okay signal to the boat.

  Cooper has his regulator out of his mouth and speaks as soon as I turn to him. ‘All okay?’ After I nod, he frowns. His eyes squint and his nose crinkles behind the mask. ‘Are you cold?’

  That he notices surprises me. That he asks, more so. ‘I’m fine. Just water seeping in.’

  He chuckles a rich, delicious sound that makes me shiver for all the wrong reasons. ‘You should warm up soon, but let me know if you don’t and we’ll go back early.’

  I nod, incapable of speech. He’d cut the dive short if I was cold? If that’s true, he’s going to be some buddy.

  I signal that I’m ready to descend and he nods. My regulator is popped in my mouth and I give it a pulse of air. All working right. Then I expel air from my buoyancy control device. Fins pointing downward, we begin the slow drop into the mystical underwater world. The water is crisp and visibility clear. We watch each other as we make our descent. He smiles as I equalise multiple times, making sure my ears don’t hurt as the water pressure increases. The water changes to a bright aqua and then a deeper blue. It’s beautiful. The descent is easy and Cooper stays within my vision.

  Eight metres later we reach the sandy bottom. In the time it takes for me to snort again to unblock my ears, lots of fish come out for the greeting, colourful wrasse darting around me, zooming towards my mask. I look over at Cooper, half expecting him to be gone but he’s there, his eyes dancing behind his mask as he plays with the fish.

  We give each other an okay signal concurrently. He reaches out and taps against the wetsuit covering my forearm. I look at him, wondering what he wants. He crosses his arms and rubs his hands up and down his upper arms. He’s cold? Then he points at me, and turns his hand over asking the question. Smiling so hard my reg nearly pops out of my mouth, I shake my head and give an okay. I’m all warm now, even more so after he’s remembered to ask.

  He indicates the rock shelf and when I give an affirmative, he swims off. His legs make slow kicks that propel him forward easily. Suspended in the deep blue, expelling few bubbles, he seems at home. I wonder how long he’s been diving. He looks comfortable. He turns his head and his body flips half over. Hand open again, he questions me — aren’t I coming? I kick off and swim beside him, almost tempted to lay my hand on his outstretched palm. I have a buddy who gives a hoot. An unexpected change.

  When I reach the rock ledge, a loud exclamation spills from me. Nudibranchs, my favourite marine creature. They’re the most gorgeous slug-like creatures made beautiful by brightly coloured frills and squat spikes that flutter in the current. Even though they’re tiny, they catch my attention. I spend too long ogling them. Feeling guilty, I look around for Cooper and he’s there, about two metres away, examining nudibranchs and soft corals on the rocks. Fish dart around him as his fingers stir up sediment from the rocks. Like me, he doesn’t wear gloves and touches everything.

  Beyond the large rock Cooper’s touching, a moray eel weaves its way from a rock cave. From where Cooper is, I don’t think he’ll be aware of the eel and I don’t want it biting him by mistake. I touch his arm and make an upwards weaving motion with my hand and point. He frowns, looks to where I pointed, then his eyes widen and he grins. He gives me an okay. He moves over the hole and then backs away. The moray edges upwards and peers around. We wait, watching the eel tentatively weave from its cave.

  ‘Beautiful.’ You s
houldn’t be able to hear underwater but some people are clear, like Cooper. I distinctly hear him even through bubbles and water.

  ‘I know.’ I nod. Before we move away, I check my air gauge and show it to Cooper. He mirrors my action. We have about the same amount of air left, three quarters of a tank, so we should both be ready to finish the dive around the same time. It’s annoying to have a buddy who chews through their air and your dive is much shorter than expected because you have to return to the surface.

  We keep exploring the rock ledge. No other divers are in view, it’s like we have the world to ourselves. It’s been a long time since I’ve been relaxed and comfortable enough with a buddy to spend time exploring the little things. Further along, Cooper stops and holds up his hand. I come up beside him. Suspended in the water I wait to see what has caught his attention. His arm moves slowly, his hand held into a decisive point as he directs my gaze to the left. I follow the line from his long, thick fingers but can’t see anything out of the ordinary. I know it’s nothing scary because Cooper is relaxed. But a part of me thinks he’d be relaxed even if it were a huge shark. He has a confidence about him. A competency and calmness that exudes, along with his warmth, beyond his wetsuit.

  He turns to me and I frown, shrugging and holding my hands open in question. He smiles, eyes dancing again, and holds one hand flat in front of his chest, then draws the other hand in an arc over his hand. A turtle?

  I look again at where he pointed. Jagged rocks, waving corals. My eyes drift across and back, scanning to see it. I drop my gaze to the bottom of the ledge and there, tucked beneath a waving frond is a rounded rock, but not a rock. Too smooth to be a rock. I drift to the bottom and lie on the sand. The rounded rock pokes its head around and a dark eye stares at me, blinks once, and turns towards Cooper. Another blink. Lying on the bottom with our small drift of air bubbles racing to the surface, we pose no threat to it. With an ungainly flick of large flippers, it lifts from the bottom and drifts out before swimming across in front of us. It must be half a metre long.