by Dani Jace
She inhaled three deep breaths and dove off the board. Rising bubbles lent a beam to her target. He might have been in twenty feet of water at the most, but it’d be a long way on a single breath to get there, free him, and bring him up.
The glider settled onto the sandy bottom. With a death grip on her knife, she approached cautiously and slashed the rigging holding him prisoner. Then she clipped the chinstrap on his helmet as bubbles streamed from his mouth.
Out of air.
She tugged him free and launched off the bottom, kicking for the surface. The pressure resembled being under a big wave in California, only this time she dragged a passenger who was dead weight.
With one arm, she climbed toward the dancing rays of sunlight. Halfway to the surface, every kick and stroke felt further away. The man locked in her elbow grew heavier by the second. The urge to inhale burned like a fire in her lungs.
Every muscle cried for oxygen. Her mind fought as she willed her limbs to move. In a last effort, she forced air from her nose. Blackness closed in around her. Only adrenaline fed her body.
Her own heartbeat echoed in her ears, reminding her of lying on Ray’s chest. His sexy blue gaze. For years, she’d longed to know his love. Now she had it.
With fury she’d never known, she clawed from the abyss.
Stroke by stroke.
She broke the surface sputtering and sucked in a lung full of much needed oxygen.
Feeling returned to her legs and arms like pins and needles as she backstroked for the elusive shore with her burden. Caught in the current, she missed the beach by a few yards. She stopped fighting and let the water take them.
No sign of the Coast Guard or any other watercraft. She glanced back in search of the board. It was to no avail, but at least she had air now.
Relax and swim. She’d done it before, thousands of times.
Minutes later, the current slackened. She glanced behind her. The board floated lazily waiting for her. Her many years of swimming and surfing, and recent academy training had all prepared her for this inherited calling. She was a firefighter like her father. With Ray as her true North, she’d found home. He’d been here all along, waiting for her.
She backstroked until her fingertips tapped the board. Her victim came to and coughed. He latched on to the board. She helped him get on top then swam them toward shore.
As she neared the beach, two firefighters waded out and relieved her. The fire captain’s SUV waited and whisked them to the road where an ambulance waited.
I’m returning the favor, Mercer.” Captain Grady handed her a bottle of water. “You got guts kid.
She leaned against the tailgate of his truck and smiled. “So you knew my Dad?”
“I was one of his probies. Damned good captain. I miss him.”
“Me too, sir.” The adrenaline rush fled her body, leaving her emotions frayed. She blinked hard pretending the salt water had her eyes tearing.
“He’d be proud of you.”
“Thanks.” She’d done her best to honor his memory.
“So, I hear you like fire as much as the ocean.” He tipped his helmet.
“Yes, sir. They’re kinda similar.”
He shot up a questioning brow.
“You don’t dare turn your back on either of them.”
He laughed. “You’re just the type of probie I’m looking for at Station Five.”
“I didn’t know you had an opening.” Her heart revved up again.
“My lieutenant made captain and is transferring up the beach to take Stan Parks’ place, so I’ll be interviewing candidates. You interested?”
She wanted to jump in the air and give him a high five, but reframed. “Absolutely, sir.”
* * * *
When she rolled in the driveway, the Hummer looked recently washed.
Ray stood at the top of the stairs shirtless in low-slung trunks. “You’re on the fucking news.” He rushed down with worry lining his forehead.
“Damn, really?” She didn’t care about the news. She just wanted him.
“Christ, Jo!” He hugged her so hard she thought her ribs cracked.
“I’m fine. Had to pull some lifeguard duty.”
Grazing her chin with his morning stubble, he claimed her mouth. As he squeezed her still wet ass, he crushed her against his raging hard on.
“Oh my―” She giggled.
He tossed her over his shoulder and pounded up the steps two at a time. Inside, he flung her on the bed. Low and threatening, his tone mirrored his hard expression. “Damn, woman, you scared the hell out of me. He ripped off her soggy shorts and panties.
His wild, blue eyes raked her. He peeled open the Velcro fly of his swim shorts and shoved them to the floor. His cock sprang free, thick and proud.
“Are you going to punish me?” She squeaked, secretly thrilled.
He knelt on the bed. “You have no idea, baby.” He trailed down her neck nipping with his teeth. “Do you love me, Jo?”
She brought his face to hers. “More than my life.”
He snapped loose her bra and drew it along with her wet T-shirt over her head. “I love you, baby.”
Warming under his gaze and touch, she opened her thighs and drew him closer. “Show me.”
He filled her in one an easy glide. “Do you accept me? Even the bad?”
He had saved her life, yet he still had guilt about taking a life. Staring into his eyes, she whispered her heart. “You’re a good man. My man.”
He reached under the pillow and drew out something shiny.
“Be mine?” He slipped an emerald-cut diamond ring on her finger.
Her heart nearly stopped. Two flanking stones matched the color of his eyes. Her eyes teared. “Yes, forever.”
Boyish dimples flanked his smile. “You only play tough.”
She stroked his cheek. “For you, I’m just marshmallow inside.”
He grinned. “I do so love eating your cream.”
“How about some more of your hotter than blazes lovin’, Hemanus?”
“You got it, Dahlin’.”
Meet the Author
Dani writes romantic stories set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and coastal Virginia where she lives. She enjoys creating headstrong, flip-flop casual heroines and everyday heroes who work with their hands―and other body parts.
The beach is her favorite escape, followed by reading, amateur photography, and checking out the newest action flick. Family, friends and her imaginary characters make life complete.
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