Pulling up at the pier side, she had felt disappointment having enjoyed the ride, Alexos smiling warmly at her as he had opened her door taking her hand as they had moved down to the waiting boat. As the two had made the short walk to the boat, she had felt her heart beating not wanting to bring attention to the fact that he again had taken her small hand in his larger one, Grace suddenly feeling nervous once more.
As they had reached the boat, she had gently pulled her hand from his, Alexos turning his eyes on her, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes holding a look of mockery deep within them but not commenting on the action as he had followed her up the small gangplank.
Seeing the equipment she had ran forward gasping “Oh my God” her eyes flashing brightly. “I have the same stab jacket”
Grinning he had inclined his head. “Nothing but the best for my guests”
To her delight the boat had moved at speed around the island to the location of the reef. Alexos had taken her to the bow, the two of them sitting on a makeshift seat looking out to sea, the salty sea air filling her lungs. She had felt complete exhilaration, her face glowing with happiness, as pulling the band from her hair she had allowed it to fall free, the wind running through it and streaming the long length of it behind her, Alexos holding his breath at seeing the difference in her. The shy gawkily awkward girl of the previous day was alive with an inner light which radiated through her. A large grin filled her lovely face which he could only reflect back as for the first time in his life Alexos was speechless, only able to stare at her as she had closed her eyes breathing in the air, her whole body held like some Grecian goddess embraced by the wind.
Shaking his head with his fanciful notions he had touched her arm, pointing out the buoy ahead, the marker for the reef, the two making their way back to the middle of the boat where the captain’s helper was already checking the oxygen and laying the equipment out for them.
Once the ship was moored the two had prepared for the dive. Removing her t-shirt and shorts, she had felt a moment of unease, not used to showing off so much flesh. With a self deprecating laugh she had told herself to grow up. Alexos Manetas was hardly likely to be interested in the body of a too-skinny teenager when he dated some of the most beautiful supermodels in the world. Even the stunning women still sleeping had not seemed to tempt him if his air of indifference the previous evening had been anything to go by.
The warmth of the water meant that they did not need neoprene suits and pulling on the stab jacket with the tank already mounted she had finished kitting up, both she and Alexos carrying out safety checks as they had checked gauges, ensuring the others’ oxygen was on and checking they had agreed on signals and danger signs.
Finally standing, they had both prepared to enter the water, Alexos jumping in first, one hand on his mask and regulator the other on his tank, his feet splayed for entry. When he had resurfaced and moved she had followed, enjoying the feel of the water as the excitement of entering such an environment had once more filled her.
Beside her Alexos had signalled to ensure she was OK and returning hers the two had slid under the water, as he led her down to the reef below. For several minutes he had kept looking over his shoulder to ensure she was there, before seeming to relax, confident that she was following.
The water clarity was some of the best she had ever seen, her heart skipping happily as she had taken in her surroundings, marvelling at the vast array of wildlife, the reef itself so clear thanks to the crystal waters they swam in. For nearly half an hour he had led her around the reef, both careful not to touch the fragile coral itself with hands or fins.
Grace had been in her element, her eyes full of the wonder of the many fish she knew, laughing as the groupers so big but completely harmless had crowded around them hoping that they had brought tidbits as many tourists did. She had been happy to see that Alexos had not done this, not one to interfere in any ecosystem.#p#分页标题#e#
It was Alexos who had seen it first, Grace suddenly so aware as he had moved closer to her, his body pulling her in closer to him as he had reached down to the knife strapped to his leg. Not understanding she had followed where he had indicated, seeing the four foot shark about a hundred feet from them. He had felt as she had stiffened, groaning at the thought of dealing with a panicking woman, but laying a comforting hand on her hoping to get her back to the boat before the shark took much more of an interest in them.
However with surprise she had turned to look at him, her face not full of the panic he had expected, but of excitement, her hazel eyes smiling through the face mask. As he had made to pull her away, she had seemed to want to move closer, Alexos stunned. Signalling she was sure, her empathetic shake of the head had made him smile, the two swimming closer to the long sleek animal, Alexos aware that she as he was scanning for others, surprised that she should know to do that with this particular kind, most sharks being solitary creatures.