Trouble was, as he raised, the ocean pulled his elastic-topped pants down below his butt cheeks.
Buzz and Seggy bent over laughing.
Sky gave a low appreciative whistle. “Luna, that ass is something to see.”
River said, “An ass like that would be worth giving up the ocean for.”
Luna said, “And did you see those dimples when he smiled?”
Sky smiled, “I literally couldn’t see anything past that ass.”
Luna tapped the end of her paddle against Sky’s and then River’s, the Waterfolk version of a high five.
Chapter 59
When Beckett was deposited onto the deck, the whole crew stood in a circle. Captain Aria tapped her foot in what Beckett hoped was fake anger. Dan, smirking, tugged Beckett’s pants up and then pulled the sling-loop off over his head. They all stood and awkwardly waited for Captain Aria to say something.
She looked at Beckett with narrowed eyes. Then finally spoke, “That’s what this was all about—you have the hots for a Nomad woman and you’ve raced off across the ocean to declare your love—lying to us in the meantime?”
“I met her when I was working on the Outpost. I didn’t want to lie, but I also needed to find her.”
“Well, if you hadn’t almost killed yourself helping with the whale, I might not forgive you for keeping secrets, but I will. Mostly because that was an epic bellyflop in the name of love.”
Dan patted Beckett on the shoulder.
Beckett said, “Luna called it historic.”
“She’s probably right. I notice she didn’t come with you on the boat?”
Beckett looked to his right, the eight Waterfolk were paddling away.
“She has to help deliver supplies to a larger group. Then she’ll paddle to meet me at Heighton Port.”
“I would suspect that’s going to be a long time of worry for you.”
“Yes,” Beckett nodded under Captain Aria’s studying gaze.
“Well, you behaved rashly, jumping off my boat, putting us even further behind schedule. We’re supposed to be northeast of here, yesterday. I need to know you won’t be lying or doing anything crazy for the next two weeks. And no acting crazy either. Or love sick. But in return I’ll help you out. Do we have a deal?”
“Um, yes, of course. I won’t do anything crazy.”
“Dr. Mags is going to rewrap your hands, because that left one is oozing, and it’s gross looking. I don’t think gross is the way bandaged hands should look. While you’re getting your wounds cleaned, Dan and Jeffrey will take the zodiac and deliver a radio to your friend. I have an extra, solar, waterproof. You can check in with her every day.”
“That would be amazing.”
“No jumping off my ship, unless you see me take my pants off first.” Captain Aria smirked and returned to the bridge.
Dan clapped Beckett on the shoulder. “Any message for your girl?”
“Tell her I’ll call her tonight.”
____________________
The end, but the story does continue...
Also by Diana Knightley
Leveling: Book One of Luna’s Story
Under: Book Two of Luna’s Story
Deep: Book Three of Luna’s Story
Also by H. D. Knightley (My YA pen name)
Bright (Book One of The Estelle Series)
Beyond (Book Two of The Estelle Series)
Belief (Book Three of The Estelle Series)
Fly; The Light Princess Retold
Violet’s Mountain
Sid and Teddy
Acknowledgments
I wanted to tell a simple story about a young woman who is alone, terrified, lost, but who rises above it all to comfort and lend courage to a young man who is alone, terrified, and lost, and for them to somehow rescue each other. Somehow. I didn’t intend for there to be a full series, but now, definitely, yes, there will be.
A very big thank you to the crew of the M/V Farley Mowat and the volunteers of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for giving me a tour of their ship. It brought the interior of the boat and the crew’s sense of duty in focus.
Thank you to Amie Conrad for your date checks. (My fictional calendar was an unwieldy mess.) Glad you helped me get it under control.
Thank you to Jessica Fox and Mara Donahoe for encouragement and excitement. Your notes helped assuage my worries.
Thank you to Isobel for reading this while she was in Europe and giving me her corrections by Skype. I know you had better, more exciting things to do, thanks for including this.
Thank you to Fiona, for reading and advising and loving the story. Your thoughts and ideas made it better and better.
Thank you to Kevin for being my resident paddleboarding advisor. Watching you paddle from Catalina to Manhattan Beach inspired me to create this whole world.
Thank you to Ean and Gwynnie, for inspiring, cheering, and advising, even though you didn’t get to read it—yet.
And thank you to my mother, Mary Jane Knight Cushman, she was a hopeful soul and taught me if the waters rise to grab a paddle.
And finally, to my father, Dave Cushman, who taught me that any story, like life, is better with a punchline.
About me, Diana Knightley
I live in Los Angeles where we have a lot of apocalyptic tendencies that we overcome by wishful thinking. Also great beaches. I maintain a lot of people in a small house, too many pets, and a to-do list that is longer than it should be, because my main rule is: Art, play, fun, before housework. My kids say I am a cool mom because I try to be kind. I’m married to a guy who is like a water god, he surfs, he paddle boards, he built a boat. I’m a huge fan.
I write about heroes and tragedies and magical whisperings and always forever happily ever afters. I love that scene where the two are desperate to be together but can’t because of war or apocalyptic-stuff or (scientifically sound!) time-jumping and he is begging the universe with a plead in his heart and she is distraught (yet still strong) and somehow, through kisses and steamy more and hope and heaps and piles of true love, they manage to come out on the other side.
I like a man in a kilt, especially if he looks like a Hemsworth, doesn’t matter, Liam or Chris.
My couples so far include Beckett and Luna (from the trilogy, Luna’s Story). Who battle their fear to find each other during an apocalypse of rising waters. And, coming soon, Colin and Kaitlyn (from the series Kaitlyn and the Highlander). Who find themselves traveling through time and space to be together.
I write under two pen names, this one here, Diana Knightley, and another one, H. D. Knightley, where I write books for Young Adults. (They are still romantic and fun and sometimes steamy though, because love is grand at any age.)
DianaKnightleyAuthor
DianaKnightley.com
[email protected]
Leveling Page 14