Hot Pic of New Couple Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem

Here is a new pic of the lovely Penelope Cruz and her latest love, Javier Bardem, as the couple vacation in Maldives. There's been buzz that these two have taken their close friendship to the next level -- but now there's proof. They've also been seen on the beaches of the islands kissing and playing in the surf.

Penelope denied that she and Javier were an item, back in July, saying, "It's not true. He's a friend and the best actor in the world." But something's obviously changed. You don't lay, all wet and tangled up, with someone who's just "a friend".