by Juniper Hart
Two years earlier, it had all changed.
Keegan had booked a kayak tour, not realizing that his best friend’s sister would be his guide. He had taken the excursion with a girl he had just started dating, and the trip had turned into a disaster.
The girlfriend had loudly accused Keegan of ogling Kristy, which had secretly pleased Kristy. She had listened as their argument escalated to ridiculous heights, forcing Kristy to step in for the peace of the other members of the group. She had barely managed to quiet the incensed lover, and Kristy had been grateful when they finally made their way back to shore, where the woman disappeared in a huff.
Keegan had turned to Kristy apologetically, and the two had found themselves going out for drinks, which had led to a night of passion that Kristy would never forget.
After they had both stopped shaking from their intense climaxes, Keegan had turned to her, spent and grinning.
“Why do you look so smug?” she had teasingly asked him. “Never had sex with a college girl before?”
Keegan had snorted and hugged her close. “I’m laughing because Tanya was right,” he’d replied, and it had taken Kristy a long moment to figure out who he meant.
She had all but forgotten about the woman who had accompanied Keegan earlier.
“About what?” she had asked, a spark of annoyance jolting through her body at the sound of the woman’s name.
“I was checking you out on the tour,” Keegan answered, and Kristy’s entire body had exploded with heat.
She had pounced on him again.
They’d said their goodbyes that night, but every time she returned to Key West from school, the two got together for a secret rendezvous.
Both were careful to hide it from Kristy’s brother, Jeremy. She did not need to be told how he would react if he was to find out the truth about them.
But that didn’t mean that her attraction to Keegan was a simple “friends with benefits” arrangement. It was much deeper than that, and although Kristy was happy that she had found a physical relationship with Keegan, she wanted more.
Kristy sighed to herself. I doubt he feels the same, she thought. After all, who wants to wait around for a girl to finish college, not to mention having to face the wrath of his best friend? If he even feels that way about me at all.
She stood and stretched, shoving her doubts from her mind.
I shouldn’t be second-guessing what we have, she chided herself. I should be grateful for the little bit of time we have together.
“Okay, everyone!” she called cheerfully to the members of her group. “Time to head back to the beach now. When you arrive, you will be greeted with a mimosa or glass of champagne to toast your bravery.”
The group laughed appreciatively and began to gather their belongings as Kristy did a head count. Everyone was accounted for, and as they paddled their way back into the waters of the Atlantic, Kristy was feeling very pleased with herself.
She led the ten other kayaks, pausing to glance over her shoulder as she did, ensuring that everyone was keeping pace.
They were nearing the beach when she let out a sigh of relief.
Another perfect tour.
I’m wasting my time studying law, she thought to herself. If only I could make millions doing this for a living, I would, she thought wistfully. I’m definitely asking for a raise. I have earned it.
At that moment, a gut-wrenching scream pierced across the water, and Kristy’s heart stopped. She turned her head around to see what had happened, only for her eyes to finally rest on Inga’s face, pale and shocked.
“What happened?” she called out, looking at the rest of the group, but no one could understand why Inga was having such a meltdown. Everyone else was in their boats, and no one seemed to detect any activity in the water, Kristy included.
Sven paddled closer to see her as Kristy did the same, her mind unable to reconcile what the fuss was about. The couple was speaking in Swedish when Kristy got within earshot.
“What happened?” Kristy demanded.
Inga stared at her hand, her face ghastly. “My ring!” she shrieked. “I left my ring on a large rock near the sandbar!”
Kristy stifled a sigh and instead took a deep breath.
“Oh no, Inga,” she said, trying to force some compassion into her voice. “Are you sure you had it when you came on the trip?”
“Ja!” Sven interjected. “She had it! She had it for sure!”
Why? Kristy wanted to yell. Didn’t you read the brochure that specifically tells you to leave valuables behind so that this doesn’t happen?
“We must go back and find it!” Inga cried, tears filling her blue eyes, but Kristy shook her head.
“We can’t go back now,” she told them, gesturing at the horizon. “It will be too dark before we make it home.”
“I don’t care!” Inga screeched. “I cannot just leave my ring for anyone to take!”
Kristy forced a placating yet sympathetic expression onto her face. “Inga, that area is very remote. I will have someone go out with you in the morning—”
“The morning will be too late!”
Kristy could see that reasoning with the woman was going to be more difficult than she had hoped.
“What’s going on?” one of the men from the group asked, and Kristy steered her kayak around to address him and the rest of her kayakers.
“Just head back toward the beach. Carter should be there waiting with your drinks,” she told them.
“No!” Inga shrieked again. “We must go—”
“Inga!” Kristy interrupted sharply. “Even if it was possible to go tonight, which it isn’t, we are not bringing the entire group back with us!”
The words seemed to have some effect on the woman, though it wasn’t a good one: she narrowed her eyes at Kristy and declared, “If you will not take me, Sven and I will go alone!”
Ugh! Kristy groaned to herself. We were so close to the beach! In ten minutes, I would have been on the phone texting Keegan and starting my two days off! Instead, I have to deal with Viking Ken and Norwegian Barbie and her stupid lost ring.
“Go back to the beach,” Kristy said through clenched teeth. “I will go back to where we were and look for your ring.”
“But we must come!” Inga insisted.
“Inga,” Kristy began as patiently as she possibly could, “if you do not go back to the beach, you and Sven will go at your own risk. I will not come with you tonight, and if anything were to happen to you, or if you were to encounter sharks or a crocodile…”
Kristy let her sentence trail off, watching as the newlyweds’ eyes grew into saucers. They seemed to quietly consider her words.
“You will go tonight?” Sven asked finally, and Kristy nodded begrudgingly.
“But only if you go back to the beach and stay there,” she said. “I will try to find your ring and bring it back to you.”
Inga studied her face for a moment. She was apparently convinced by Kristy’s expression, and she nodded slowly.
“You will come find us?” she asked, and Kristy tried not to roll her eyes.
“I’ll do my best,” she replied cordially. “Now go meet up with the others. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
They turned to follow her instructions, which made Kristy exhale in both relief and annoyance. She wished she was authorized to drive one of the speedboats, but she was not insured.
I could always get someone to take me, she reasoned, but then she also dismissed that idea. She didn’t want to spend time listening to the inn workers complaining about the guests—not when she was so close to being off for a couple days. I’ll just go and be back as fast as possible.
She debated telling her co-workers, but she didn’t want to risk being talked into taking a boat with one of them. Anyway, she was sure Inga and Sven would relay the message.
They’ll probably drive everyone crazy tonight telling the tale of the missing ring, Kristy thought wryly. I better find that ring fast and g
et back before the Swedes scare off all the business.
She hoped she still had time to salvage her evening, too.
It took an hour and a half to get back to the sandbar, and dusk was settling as Kristy guided the kayak toward the shore, her eyes scanning the rocks where the couple had been sitting.
The inn staff had already cleaned up the remnants of the buffet, taking the speedboat back to the main island. No one was left in sight as she climbed out to look around the isolated spot.
Please don’t tell me I just set my day back four hours for nothing, Kristy thought, peering about with the hopes of finding something resembling a shiny diamond on the sand, but she could see nothing.
She glanced at the horizon, realizing that it was getting dark faster than she had thought it would. Unfortunately, she did not have a flashlight with her to face the lack of sunlight quickly approaching.
This was a stupid idea, Kristy thought, helplessly looking around. Why did I agree to this?
A horrifying thought occurred to her: had the Swedes gone snorkeling before taking her tour?
The damned ring could be at the bottom of the Atlantic right now!
Kristy didn’t have time to entertain what could have happened to the ostentatious piece of jewellery—not when night was closing in around her and she still had a two-hour trip back to do without proper supplies.
Inga is just going to have to wait until morning, she decided, hurrying back to the kayak. She could only envision the histrionics Inga might indulge in when she returned to the inn. As she paddled away from the sandbar and moved back toward Key West, she frowned to herself. She couldn’t believe her perfect tour record had been sullied by this.
Kristy just hoped the couple would not file a formal complaint.
It’s not my fault she was so careless and brought a larger-than-life ring with her into the middle of the ocean, Kristy thought indignantly. If she complains, I will fight it.
Still, her mood was soured by the experience, and she scowled as she made her way back toward the inn, carefully planning the words she would say to the Swedes.
I will tell them I tried my best, but the ring was not there. We will arrange to go back another time…
Kristy’s scowl deepened as she realized that she would likely be called back in on her days off to search.
So much for seeing Keegan, she sighed to herself. That was what bothered her the most about the entire affair.
She did not notice the rain drops until the first rumble of thunder caught her attention. Suddenly, she noticed how choppy the ocean had become seemingly in an instant.
Her dark eyes widened, and she gazed up at the moody clouds towering above her head, water splashing into her eyes.
Oh, this is not good, Kristy decided. She still had a long way to go before home, and the ocean seemed to be swelling more with each dip of the kayak oar. She needed to find safety and wait out the rain.
Kristy tried to orient herself. This was a path she had taken a hundred times, and she willed herself to be calm as she gauged the distance between her current location and the nearest point of safety.
It’s not far. I just need to stay to the north, and I will be there in a few minutes, she determined, paddling with more determination. Thankfully, her phone was in the pack she carried around her waist.
I’ll get to land and call for help. My GPS will allow rescue to find me.
Kristy felt slightly ridiculous about being alarmed at the situation, but she could not help it. Never had she been trapped on the ocean in a storm, and while she had training in dealing with emergencies, she had never had the chance—or, rather, the obligation—to exercise that training.
There’s a first time for everything, she thought grimly.
Just a couple of yards beyond her, Kristy saw a small mass of land although the lights of the small key were still distant. Even if she docked, she would have quite a trek to go before finding any help.
Her immediate concern was landing safely, though, so when the kayak finally met the sandy shore, she exhaled in relief, despite the sudden bolt of lightning crashing against the sky above like a terrible omen.
The rain drops were almost painful upon her as Kristy pulled the boat up the soggy beach, and a rush of wind threatened to topple her as she ran up the coast, her eyes seeking shelter. She did not want to risk running through the brush, not when the storm only seemed to be worsening.
Kristy ran, her waterproof sport shoes sinking into the sand. She tried to focus on the path before her, but it was becoming difficult to see.
I’ve been here before, she reminded herself. There are low caves on the shoreline, just around the bend. You can find shelter there and call for help on your cell. No problem.
As she rounded the turn, Kristy saw that her assessment was right, and the caves were just ahead. She had ducked inside within seconds, away from the unexpected and driving rain. She sank down on the ground, trying to still her heartbeat.
“You’re okay,” she told herself aloud, laughing nervously. “That wasn’t even a close call.”
The sound of her own voice seemed to placate her somewhat, and soon her nerves were steadied enough for her to reach into her hip sack.
Even if they can’t come right away, I am in no danger, Kristy reassured herself, looking at the screen of her phone. Her brow furrowed as she realized the device was off, and when she attempted to power it on, she had no luck.
She wasn’t sure if it was out of battery or just soaked from the storm—in either case, she had no way of calling anyone.
Kristy groaned. There was nothing to do except wait.
At least I’m out of the storm, she reasoned. When the rain lets up a bit, I’ll head inland and get help, or I’ll paddle back to Key West. I’m fine here for now.
No sooner did the thought enter her mind than Kristy feel a shiver of apprehension slither through her, and her head jerked up toward the entrance of the formation, as if she expected someone, or something, to be there.
She saw nothing except the blackness of the night colliding with the unsettled waves against the storm, but Kristy could not shake off the feeling that she was being watched.
Probably by bats, she thought, falling back against the stony wall. That thought did not make her feel any better.
The cold was beginning to affect her, and Kristy was not sure what was worse: the cold or the hunger. Her bikini did absolutely nothing to comfort her against the former.
The wind howled eerily, each breeze sending shivers down her chilled skin.
She dug an energy bar out of her fanny pack and bit into it, pretending not to notice the concern growing in her gut.
Kristy couldn’t determine how long she had been huddled in the cave, but the ocean continued to crash outside the entrance, and the gale showed no signs of decreasing as the time passed.
Maybe I should risk it and make my way further inland, she thought, gobbling the little bit of sustenance in her hand. She knew it was a bad idea to move, but the longer she remained stagnant, the more her mind began to whirl with potential dangers.
Which was more perilous: staying put or venturing out? Even if she ventured out, how long would it take her to find help? A couple minutes? An hour? Even more than that?
Kristy steadied her breath and tucked the wrapper inside her waist sack. She couldn’t sit still anymore.
I need to get moving, she decided, heading toward the mouth of the cave.
She had just taken a step forward when she fell back, a gasp making its way out of her mouth.
A pair of glowing blue eyes appeared in the entranceway, and a low, feral noise accompanied the unexpected arrival.
Kristy stepped back, her brown eyes wide with terror.
The wet body of a wolf emerged against the opening, and Kristy shook her head.
No! she firmly told herself. This is not real. You are hallucinating. No wolves live in this area.
No matter how she tried to reason with herself, thoug
h, she could not make sense of the approaching beast.
Her mind traveled back to the day in MJ’s room, the afternoon she had left for Florida—it traveled back to the words she had heard Sylvie say, the words she had originally thought were ridiculous garbage.
Is this some kind of otherworldly creature?
The wolf kept approaching her, and so Kristy continued stepping back until she was forced to press herself against the cave wall. The animal’s black head was at the level of her stomach.
“What do you want?” she whispered, staring into his eyes as if expecting the animal to respond.
The wolf lowered his majestic head, and suddenly Kristy realized that he was not a threat to her. She extended her hand, allowing him to sniff at her palms, which he then roughly licked.
Inexplicably, a jolt of excitement surged through Kristy’s body, and she stared speculatively at the animal. He peered back up at her, his gleaming eyes the only beacon of light she could see, and she was not afraid of him anymore.
She lowered herself to be at eye-level with him, and the wolf lapped at her face.
Kristy closed her eyes, allowing herself to relish the feeling of strange familiarity that the motion caused for her. The wolf’s hot breath was on her cold skin, and she barely noticed that his wet snout became a warm nose, nuzzling into her neck.
The long, coarse tongue became a set of full lips, and Kristy’s eyes flew open, watching as the naked form of a man knocked her onto her back.
She gaped at him in awe, her hands reaching to clasp his face, which made its way toward her clinging shirt.
“Who are you?” she breathed.
Slowly, the mysterious stranger raised his head, and shock overcame Kristy at the sight of the man she had been looking forward to spending her two days off with.
“Keegan!” she gasped. “What—how—?”
Keegan silenced her questions with a hot, passionate kiss to her mouth, and relief exploded throughout her body as she pulled him to her, feeling safe for the first time since the storm had begun.
Kristy asked nothing else, savoring the comfort Keegan gave her, his mouth trailing over her frame.