Page 3 of Until Presley (Happily Ever Alpha World)

CHAPTER

TWO

PRESLEY

I sense Ham still behind me and turn to see him inside the gate, latching the chain. I ignore him and continue down the path. I’m not security. I’m not going to stop him.

Ahead on the dock, near the slip where our research boat is moored, are two large men.

Dr. Miller mentioned he’d be bringing in a couple of professional divers today to help with the exploration.

These must be them. They’re supposed to be the best in the business.

We recently found a large concentration of bull sharks and want to tag a few to understand why they’re here now, where they’re coming from, and where they’re headed.

As I get closer, I’m struck by the size of the two men. They are just as big as Ham.

I glance back and see Ham is still following me. I pull the side of my lip between my teeth and turn forward again, careful not to walk off the edge. The men nod their heads at me, and I nod back. One of them smiles wide and starts to move toward me.

“Otto, don’t even think about it,” Ham says from behind me.

I pause and look between them all. I feel so small next to the other two. One of them is even taller than Ham. All of them are seriously hot, but only Ham does things to my body.

“I’m sorry. He followed me out here. He’s a friend.” I add the last part, hoping he doesn’t get into trouble.

Ham pulls me into his side. “Not a friend. Otto, back off,” Ham addresses the smiling guy, and I’m startled.

“Do you all know each other?”

“Presley, these are my buddies, Walker and Otto.” He turns me to look at him. “This is my stop. Where are you heading to, sprite?”

“Presley,” Dr. Miller calls. “Do you know these gentlemen?” He’s been a friend of my father’s for many years, so I know he’s pulling the protective uncle card on me.

“Kind of,” I tell him.

“You on this boat, sprite?” Ham asks me, and I look up at him.

I tip my head as far back as I can, and he looks down at me. His hand at my waist tightens, and then his other hand goes to my cheek.

“Yeah,” I stutter, breathless, lost in Ham just like before.

“Then let’s get you on board.” He lifts me up in his arms and steps onto the back of the boat.

“Put me down, Ham, now,” I order, but he just chuckles.

The other researchers are watching us. I turn to see Margo taking in Ham’s muscles, and I’m struck by a jolt of jealousy.

What the hell? I just met him. How the heck am I jealous already?

But Margo usually gets any guy she sets her sights on.

My chest constricts in pain at the thought of him falling for her.

She’s one of Clara’s friends. I couldn’t be with him if he goes for her. I just won’t do that.

He sets me down, and I hear Otto laughing. I turn to see Walker’s lips tipped up in a grin. “Told you, man.” Walker chuckles, and Otto laughs even harder.

I don’t get it and think they are making fun of me.

“I’ll have you know I’m qualified to be here. I’m not a child. I’ve worked hard. I’ve probably dived in more locations than you have and been on more research trips, so don’t make fun of me.” I poke Otto in the chest with each word. Ham pulls me back against him.

“Sprite, he’s laughing at me. But I have to say, I doubt you’ve dived as much as we have, or in some of the locations.”

“Oh really? My father has been towing me along on all his research trips since I was born. We lived in France for years while he studied the whales of the Mediterranean. I’ve had my scuba certification since I was ten.”

“Impressive,” Otto says. “But, little girl, we’ve been deep diving since before you were probably born.”

“I doubt that. I’m twenty-four.” My hand goes to my hip, and I stomp my foot.

“Presley, let’s prepare to launch.” Dr. Miller’s voice distracts me, and I turn and nod.

None of the other researchers or aides help him like I do, even though that’s exactly what Margo and her Barbie doll friend—whose name I can’t remember—are supposed to be here for.

Instead, they act like this is a party boat and don’t help.

I move to the back of the boat and climb over to the dive platform, where I jump back to the dock. I start removing the lines and glance over when I hear a thump. It’s Ham, coming to help me. I move toward the spring line next.

“Get back on board. I’ll get it,” Ham orders. I huff when he tips his head down, daring me to defy him.

I jump back on, and Walker helps me as Ham moves with the spring line, while Dr. Miller maneuvers the boat with the captain watching. Ham leaps for the boat, landing like a jungle cat on the deck. I hear one of the girls sigh, and again, that pang of jealousy hits me.

But I know how it is. I’m the nerdy girl no one is really attracted to.

Ham

I watch as my little sprite tries to avoid me. She is helping the professor while two of the other girls sit on the sofa, staring at Walker, Otto, and me like we’re on the lunch menu.

At one point, Walker holds up his hand and flashes his wedding band, then they zero in on Otto and me.

Otto is okay with it. He’s fucked every girl he could when we used to travel.

Now that we’ve settled in the Keys, you’d think he would slow down, but he hasn’t.

He’s out clubbing every chance he gets, including last night.

I went along like I always do, to keep an eye on him, but I don’t mingle or hang out with the women there.

I look over to see Presley standing with her hip kicked out as she studies the laptop.

Her sunglasses are off, and she’s talking to the professor.

I’m impressed by how long she’s been diving, but even more so by how focused she is.

She knows exactly what she’s talking about as she converses with the other scientists on board.

“Oh, it’s so hot today,” one of the girls says and lifts her T-shirt, revealing a tiny, flowered bikini top that barely covers her breasts.

I turn back to Presley and catch her watching me. Hurt flashes in her eyes before she quickly pulls down her sunglasses. She moves to the bow and sits down, pretending to check the scuba equipment. I know she isn’t because Walker is already doing that.

I follow her.

“So you’ve been diving for years?” I hear Walker ask her.

“Yep. My dad is a marine biologist too. He studies whales and their migration patterns.”

“So you’re following in his footsteps?” Walker asks.

“Sort of. He and my stepmom are both in the field. She researches plant life. I’ve always been fascinated with sharks, though. That’s why I’m going for my doctorate.”

“You’re going for your doctorate?” I ask as I move over to sit beside her.

She looks between me and Walker before she answers. “I have a year and a half left, unless I push through next summer again like I did this year. Then I’ll only have a year.”

“Dang, so then we can call you Dr. Presley?” I joke. Her lips tip up slightly.

“That’s Dr. Blanchard to you.” She jokes back.

“I like that. Where’s your favorite place to dive?” Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Walker move to the back of the boat, leaving us alone.

“I love diving in Australia. Shark Bay is fun, but I love going near the reef and just exploring. Hawaii is beautiful too.”

“Been to all those too. Although we didn’t go into Shark Bay. We were outside it, at a wreck site.”

“You explore wreckage? Like a treasure hunter?”

She leans back, and I do too. She doesn’t flinch away when I lay my arm behind her on the edge. Just a small flex, and I’ll have her close to me again and in my arms. Something I want desperately.

I chuckle and shake my head. “Sometimes we would help with that, but a lot of the time, we’d also be called in to do repairs while the ships were still in the water.”

“Are you an underwater welder?”

“I can be, if necessary, but we help with support too. What do you see yourself doing after you get your doctorate?”

“I want to settle here in the Keys and help with the research on why there is such a concentration of attacks here. I want to educate people on protecting themselves before they decide to start hunting the sharks.”

I nod. “What do your parents think of you doing such a dangerous study?”

She shakes her head as she looks out over the water, and we continue to cut through it toward the dive site.

“My dad doesn’t really care. My stepmom worries, but she knows I love it and won’t stop me.”

“And your mom?” I ask, noticing the look of pain flash across her eyes.

“She died,” she says. I’m about to comfort her when we are interrupted.

“Hey, Elvis, the prof wants you,” one of the girls says, and I watch as she licks her lips as she takes me in.

Presley stiffens next to me, and then moves to stand. I get to my feet and help her up. She shakes off my hand and squeezes past me. Her tight body brushing against mine makes my cock jump. She disappears inside, and I watch her the whole time.

“Elvis isn’t into guys. We think she’s asexual.” The girl laughs.

“Elvis?” I look back at her.

The girl moves closer to me. She’s in her bikini top now, just like the other girl.

“Well, yeah, that’s what her sister calls her.”

Anger hits me instantly, and I want to defend my girl. “Her name is Presley. Call her that. And just so you know”—I look her up and down—“I’m not interested.” Shaking my head, I push past her and go look for my sprite.