A dark shape darted toward him. Helena. Roman steeled himself for the blow but it didn’t come. Weed and Victor seized Helena, driving her off, and Roman concentrated on Asia.
Gradually, the waters around them stilled. Roman glanced around and saw orcas from the Bolino clan and his friends had surrounded them in a protective circle. Asia’s mother swam forward along with another orca that seemed much older, its dorsal fin skewed to the side. They both nudged Asia gently. Communication took place, a series of low-pitched squeaks and singing. Roman found he understood part of what they said. He vocalized in return.
“Back to shore,” Asia’s mother said.
The journey back to the beach near Asia’s house took longer than Roman had expected. The net snagged on rocks and trapped Victor. Asia’s mother organized a rescue while Roman kept Asia afloat.
“Hurry,” he urged, hearing the trace of panic in his vocals. A shiver wracked Asia. Shock. Damn, they had to hurry.
Two of the orcas yanked on the net. Victor swam free, and Roman noticed him nuzzling Asia’s mother before they swam on. Roman snorted with a quick flash of amusement. Victor never lost an opportunity to score.
Finally, they reached the shore. Roman held Asia above water while the others shifted. When they had her, he moved away and shifted.
“A knife,” he hollered. “Someone get a knife to cut her free. Where are the healers?” He took in her still form, his fear escalating. “Will she be able to change?”
“I don’t know,” her mother said. Her dark hair lay plastered against her head, contrasting sharply with the paleness of her cheeks. She shivered, and Victor appeared at her side, his usual grin strangely absent.
He slipped an arm around her waist. “The healer is here. He will know.”
A Bolino handed Roman a knife, and they hacked away the net from her still body. Roman held her, making sure she didn’t drown yet keeping her skin moist.
The healer ran gnarled hands over her wounds. “Superficial,” he muttered. “Apart from this one at her throat, and this one on her chest.”
Asia moaned and winced when the healer probed the wound. Her blowhole contracted.
Relief swept through Roman. Tears built at his eyes, but he ignored them. “She’s coming to.” His voice emerged rich with emotion--everything he felt for Asia all rolled up in those three words. “Asia, can you hear me?”
“She’s trying to shift,” the healer murmured.
The air shimmered around her. Roman saw her pale features flash in an out. “Come on, babe. You can do it.”
Then the shimmering ceased, and she appeared in her human form. Asia collapsed, unable to stand on her own. A wave washed over her head before Roman could seize her. She coughed weakly as he carried her up the beach. The gurgling sound didn’t sound reassuring. The gaping wound at her throat brought fury. Helena would pay for this atrocity.
A sharp blast--a series of whistles--filled the silence.
“Intruder alert,” one of the Bolinos said tersely.
“Everyone dress before they think this is a nudist colony,” Victor quipped.
There was a mad scramble for clothes.
“I’ll get yours,” Victor said to Roman and Asia’s mother. “Go to the house.”
Roman scooped Asia up and ran for the house. Once inside, he placed her on the bed. It was bad. He didn’t need a healer to tell him that.
“Leave,” the healer said. “Summon Marge,” he added.
Roman didn’t want to leave, but Asia’s mother propelled him from the room with a firm push.
She could die. The knowledge simmered in the air between them. And that’s when Roman knew for sure that he loved this orca and wished to mate with her. The very idea of trying to live without her was unthinkable. Asia was part of him now. He loved her.
Chapter Nine
“You will see him,” her mother stated. “The orca is decent, even if he is an Anderson.” Her brow creased with a hint of confusion. “Some of the Anderson clan are ... worthy.”
Asia inhaled sharply. Too suddenly, her healing wounds protested. The pain jerked her back to the reality of her situation. “I’m ugly,” she rasped. “Scarred.” Tears built and overflowed, dripping down both cheeks.
“The orca loves you.”
Pain of another sort seared her heart. She swallowed painfully. “He went away.”
“I didn’t go away willingly. My brother shanghaied me. I was imprisoned on the island. I came as soon as I could. How are you?”
Asia stared at Roman, unable to resist looking her fill, filing away memories to pull out when she was alone. When he left her for the final time. “Fine.” But that was a lie. She wasn’t fine. The sharks had ripped her vocal cords. She would never sing again.
The bedroom door opened. “Don’t go.” Too late. The door clicked shut behind her mother leaving her alone with Roman.
He sauntered closer, moving in that slow way of his that made her hot. She’d have to get over that. He wouldn’t want to saddle himself with her, not now with the way she looked. The way she sounded like a croaky duck squawking for breakfast. Roman perched on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his. His touch seared. His clean fresh scent of lemons and the outdoors made her weak with longing. She tried to disengage their hands but he refused to let go.
“What’s this nonsense about me not wanting you?” He placed her hand directly on his groin. “Does this feel as though I’m repelled? I love you, babe. I still want to marry you. I’m sorry you can’t sing anymore. I know how much you enjoyed it, how good you were.”
Asia gasped, heat suffusing her cheeks. Was it possible? Her gaze flew to his and she saw the same longing that festered inside her. She saw acceptance, approval. Asia saw love. “Are you sure?” she managed. At least she could talk a little now. The healer assured her the raspy note would lessen with time.
“Positive,” Roman said.
Asia struggled upward and slipped from the bed. The sheets fell away, baring her scarred body to his gaze. “Last chance to run,” she murmured.
“Oh, babe. I’m so sorry,” Roman said. He raised his hand and gently traced the puckered wound that curved around her breast.
Asia bit back a gasp at his touch. Arousal. Heck, he made her want him with a mere touch. “Still want me?” She had to be sure.
“In a heartbeat.” He leaned over to brush a kiss on the healing wound at her throat. “Always,” he murmured. “I love you, babe. You’re not getting away that easy.”
The doubt seeped away, replaced by another emotion. Love. “I love you too, Roman.”
“About time,” he murmured, and he lowered his head and kissed her to seal the bargain.
* * * *
The waves crashed into shore. A gull flew overhead.
“Wanna swim first?” Roman drawled.
“I have a better idea.” Asia undid the buttons on his shirt, revealing the hard muscle that she loved to look at, to touch.
“And what would that be, Mrs. Anderson?”
“We’ll make love, then we’ll swim.”
Roman shrugged the shirt off, and Asia took a minute to admire the man’s broad shoulders and gorgeous tan. This was a big step for her, and judging by the expression on Roman’s face he knew it. So far, they’d kept their lovemaking in the bedroom with darkness shrouding sight. They hadn’t even swum together. Today she wanted to show him she believed in their love.
Asia tugged her T-shirt over her head. She hesitated, allowing the fear to take hold. It grew rapidly, making her want to run.
“Show me your beautiful breasts.”
His gaze was on her cleavage, but then he looked up at her. His dark eyes were full of desire. For her. That gave her courage. Her hands went to the front closure of her bra. She flicked it open and allowed her breasts to spill free. Asia stood and before her courage waned, she wriggled out of her denim shorts and silky panties.
“You are so lovely, babe. I have to keep reminding myself that you’re mine
.” He took her hand and tugged her down to his side. “My mate.”
Asia shivered when his hands cupped her breasts. The rough rasp of his fingertips over her flesh made her shiver with anticipation. Between her legs moistened, preparing her for their joining. He rolled a nipple between his fingers. Asia bit back a groan. So hot. So fast. She needed him now.
“Now,” she implored. “Don’t make me wait.”
Roman smiled, a little wickedly. Her pulse rate hiked at the promise inherent in his eyes, his expression. She rolled over on her back and spread her legs without shame. The sun shone down overhead, warming her skin with tiny kisses. She noticed Roman’s hands shook as he attempted to remove the last of his clothes. The last of her doubt dissolved. He really didn’t care about her scars and imperfections. All he saw was beauty.
“I love you, Roman. I’d love you even more if you made love to me. Now.”
Roman chuckled as he joined her on the blanket they’d spread out on the sand. He kissed her at the same time as he filled her with one seamless thrust. Her womb contracted, clasping him as tightly as her arms wrapped around him. Roman was her mate. She was his. They belonged together.
Roman thrust. Once. Twice. Three times. Sensation soared within Asia, finally spilling over. She shattered with explosive force, felt Roman thrust again and come inside her. Oh, yeah, they belonged together. They were a team.
Asia sighed in contentment and pressed a lazy kiss against his sweaty shoulder.
Life was good.
The End
From The Deep Page 23