No More Wasted Time Read Online Free PDF Page A

thought we were doing a half day tour.”
    Tom smirked. “You were, but I booked the full day. Is that
all right or do you need to get back?”
    “No, that’s great.” She paused for a moment before laughing
aloud. “Did you steal some other unlucky couple’s afternoon appointment?”
    His dark brown eyes flirted mischievously. “No! I did not.
Not that I know of. Maybe.”
    They laughed together now. Tess relaxed, knowing she had
more time to figure out how to be alone with Richard.
    Tom lay on his back stretched out on a bench with his
sunglasses on, one hand propped behind his head and the other rested casually
on his hip with two fingers tucked into the band of his trunks. She needed to
plan a course of action to get away by herself, but Tess could barely even
think straight peering at his lean sculpted physique from behind her
sunglasses. I wonder how old he is? I bet he runs. Maybe he swims. He has to
be in his late forties. He definitely takes care of himself. Is he flexing?
He’s doing that on purpose to torture me. Holy crap! Tempted to reach out
and touch the muscular chords running down his arm, she finally forced herself
to look the other direction. 
    At last, the motu appeared in the distance. Tess
couldn’t wait to jump into the water to cool off. Her mind raced in all
different directions. Pushing the image of Tom lying on the bench out of her
head, she moved on to the task that lay before her. This was it. Tess would be
able to do what she came here for.
    “What’s going on?” Tom asked lifting his head.
    “Lunch, it’s time to eat.” She smiled.
    Mr. Rene handed each of them a coconut with a straw and a
lovely purple flower sticking out the top. “I will get lunch ready. You can
swim or relax on this beautiful motu . I will set up a table in a
moment."
    Tom held his mask and flippers in his hands. “I’m going to go
snorkel, do you want to come with me?”
    “No, thanks. I’m going to chill out for a bit.”
    He headed for the water. Tess waited until she saw his
snorkel sticking out of the water before she grabbed her snorkel gear and
proceeded off the boat.
    Mr. Rene stopped her, “You are going to go snorkel with Mr.
Tom?”
    “Actually, do you remember what I told you I came here to
do?”
    “To say goodbye,” he whispered sadly.
    “Can you please keep Mr. Tom busy, so I can have some
privacy on the other side of the motu ?” 
    “By yourself?” he asked hesitantly.
    “I promise I’ll be back in an hour.”
    He nodded reluctantly.
    Tess intended on spending the morning reminiscing of their
time spent together in Bora Bora, but the day turned out very different than
she planned. She wasn’t going to be disappointed though. Maybe it was better
this way. Richard wouldn’t want her to be heartbroken in a place this
beautiful.
    On the other side of the motu , Tess found a
magnificent white sand beach. Tall palm trees swayed in the sultry breeze and a
coconut lay in the sand split open with a palm tree growing out of it.
    Tess plopped down on the soft sand with her box in her hand,
gazing around at the dreamlike surroundings. Richard would’ve loved this
beach . She always believed everything happened for a reason, and she
thought of that now, staring out over the lagoon. If she would’ve done the
half-day tour by herself, she’d be on a different motu now and this spot
was perfect. She wouldn’t want Richard to be anywhere else.
    Looking down at the hand carved box, she reflected to the
time Richard bought it. They’d tried on several occasions to snorkel with the
giant manta rays. Every time, the manta rays were a no-show. On their last trip
to Bora Bora, Richard found the carved box while shopping at the market. He’d
said, “Well if I can’t snorkel with them, I’m going to take one home with me.”
Tess had even taken a picture of him holding up the box, pointing to the manta
ray lid and pouting his lip out because they eluded him once again. Tears
spilled down her