It was early afternoon when they woke again to Elladine making an announcement. They were running late. Reine got up and started rummaging through her suitcase, looking for a swimsuit to wear for the day. Looking at her unruly locks in the mirror, she sighed. “that’s the problem with cutting my hair short it just does everything.” 

Rafi smiled as he watched her. “I don’t know,” he said, walking up behind her and placing a kiss on the bite mark he had left earlier. “I like it.” 

Reine shivered at his touch and turned to give him a playful push. “You need to go get ready too, or we will not get there in time, and I don’t want to deal with Elladine.”

“Fine,” Rafi said, pouting a little to hide his smile. “But I require a kiss.” 

She huffed in amusement as she quickly slipped on a bikini and walked over to him. She expected she’d give him a quick kiss, and he’d be on his way, but Rafi had other ideas. He grabbed her hair, gently tugging her head back as he deepened the kiss, laying claim to her lips. By the time he pulled away, she was breathless. “You’re beautiful.” With that, he released her and walked out of the room. 

Reine stepped on the deck to see the other islanders were already there. Elladine handed out life jackets, and everyone clamored into the banana boat. “So, what should we give as the prize for the person who stays on the longest?” Harry asked. “We need to make this a competition.”

Reine looked thoughtful for a moment, “how about a bottle of bubbly?” Reine said. “We can offer a sparkly fruit juice for those who want something non-alcoholic.”

“A great idea,” Harry smiled. 

“But that was for dinner…” Elladine objected. 

Nicky smiled. “It’s OK, babe, we’ll get some more.” 

“I’m in,” Harry said, grinning at the others.

Reine threw a smile at Rafi as she settled in front of him, grabbing the bar. Once everyone was in, the inflatable lurched. Yasmin looked over at the others. “You know I’m not feeling this.” She let go and slid into the water. 

“Is the water nice?” Reine asked. 

Yasmin shrugged, “Yea, it’s pretty warm.”

Seb slipped and fell, but Reine grabbed him and hoisted him back to his seat. In doing so, when the boat lurched again, she lost her balance, and Rafi grabbed her. She turned to him, “my hero.”

They looked at each other for a moment. “Are you thinking what I am?” Reine grinned and let go of her bar as Rafi did the same. They both splashed into the water. 

“What are you guys doing?” Elladine asked.

“Swimming together,” Rafi said. 

They floated and watched the others get thrown one by one off the banana boat. Seb ended up winning the challenge, but only by a hair because Harry wasn’t one to give up easily. Rafi looked over at Reine, “should we swim back to the shore?” 

Reine nodded. “Let’s do it.”

“You guys want us to come to get you?” Elladine called out.

“We’re gonna swim,” Rafi explained, “We’ll meet you at the beach.” The boat took off, leaving them alone. “I just wanted to spend some time with you,” Rafi said, attempting to pull her into a hug. The life jackets bounced off each other in the water.

They both laughed. “I think this is as close as we can get for now,” Reine said.

They swam for the shore. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better,” Rafi said as they swam. “But I’m worried about what comes after this.”

“You’re feeling… all at sea?” Reine stopped swimming and asked. Rafi stopped to look at her, perplexed. “A bit… unmoored?”

Rafi laughed, “You’re so silly.”

“Watch out, or things will get out of sand.” She continued. 

He laughed again and splashed her. “Thank you for being your silly self. It makes me feel better.” They finished their swim. 

Once at the beach, Elladine collected the life jackets as Seb handed them towels. “Um, Reine, something bite you while you were swimming?” Seb asked, gesturing to her shoulder. 

Rafi gave her an amused glance as her she blushed. “No, it’s fine,” Reine said. 

“It looks like teeth marks,” Miki said curiously.

Iona giggled. “Someone’s marking their territory.”

“That’s for me to know.” Reine teased her, raising her eyebrows. She noticed the other islanders looking. Ciaran looked at Tai, who shook his head before they both turned to Reine. 

Before either man could say anything to her, Rafi slipped a protective arm around her waist. “It was me.” Turning her toward him, he pressed a searing kiss to her lips. Reine knew he was driving the point home with Ciaran and Tai, but she didn’t care. She loved how he kissed her. He didn’t release her until she was breathless and leaning against him. 

Iona grinned, “that was pretty hot.” Camilo nodded. 

Reine snuggled into him. “Yes, Rafi and I are together. I just wasn’t sure if we were ready to announce it yet.”  She felt Rafi give her a grateful squeeze.

“I don’t know about the others, but I’m happy for you,” Lily said. “Even if it’s a surprise.”

“Thanks, Lily,” Reine smiled. 

“I’m not surprised,” Seb said with a grin. “Rafi’s been attentive and a gentleman, from my observations.” He walked over and hugged Reine. “We’ll talk later.”