AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mark threw his head back and let out a loud cackle. “No way. Seriously?”
“It’s actual science.” Laura had spent many hours trolling psychology websites trying to figure out if Dean really loved her. Or if he ever had. Turns out, she didn’t need Google for the answer to that question at all.
“Well, then, I’m sorry for assuming you wanted to fall in love with me.”
Now, it was Laura’s turn to laugh. She punched him in the shoulder. “You’re so vain.”
“I guess I am.” He grinned. “Watch your head.” She ducked out of the way as the sail swung past and caught the wind, carrying the boat back toward the shore.
“Besides, you should be apologizing to me. Because you’re the one who’s going to get all emotional on me. Men are so clingy.”
They shared a giggle, and suddenly everything seemed fine. Laura felt relaxed for the first time in a long time. She was glad he’d brought up that night—the kiss. Now there’d be no need to pretend it didn’t happen. They’d talked about it like adults and survived. Now it could even be a joke.
The wind shifted, and suddenly the sail started to luff.
“Okay, now it’s your turn to adjust our course and get the wind back in our sails,” Mark said as he showed her how to move the boat through a smooth tack. “Don’t go too quickly,” he admonished, placing his hand beside hers on the wheel.
The day just felt perfect. The sun, the ocean, the wind. This is exactly what she needed, Laura thought. She basked in the sunlight and the amazing beauty around her. She put her hands on top of the hat on her head and looked up, closing her eyes as the sun beat down on her face.
“Laura. Pay attention—” Before Mark could finish his sentence, finish directing her to some line on the boat, the wind kicked up without warning. It was so strong it blew her hat straight off her head.
She flailed for it too late, and it shot up into the air and off the back of the boat. Instinctively, she let go of the line, a rookie mistake. The sail flew out and suddenly, caught by the wind, the boat shot to the right, knocking Mark back on his butt.
In a panic, Laura grabbed for the line that was already pulling away from her at high speed and yanked on it but then yelped in pain as it burned her palm.
“Laura!” Mark cried, trying to get to his feet. Laura glanced at the red slash across her palm. She’d be fine, but she’d lost control of the line, and now she didn’t know how to get it back. The white sail above them snapped taut as it caught the sudden burst of energy.
Then, tending to her burned hand, she realized she was losing her footing against the lurch of the boat’s deck beneath her feet. She reached out for a line to steady herself but missed. A gasp escaped Laura’s lips as she struggled to find a handhold but clutched air. There was no doubt about it. She was going overboard.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
JUST WHEN LAURA was sure she’d be tossed overboard, Mark’s arm snaked out and snatched her around the waist. He’d managed to scramble to his feet and catch her at the same time. He held her tight, her back against his chest, as he used his free hand to clutch the wheel.
“Hang on,” he commanded, his voice a rough growl in her ear as he squeezed her close, carefully riding out the wind. She didn’t know how long she stayed pressed against Mark. A minute? Five?
The strong wind kept the boat nearly perpendicular to the water. Would the boat capsize? It seemed to be defying gravity as they cut through the waves. She clung to Mark’s arm desperately, sending up a little prayer that the wind would die down soon. Then suddenly, the boated righted itself a bit, just enough that Laura felt like she wouldn’t be flung into the ocean.
“That was close,” she breathed, even as she felt Mark’s arm stay snug around her waist.
“It happens,” he said. “You’ve got to keep on your toes.” Mark released her, and reluctantly, she stepped from his secure and warm embrace.
“I had…no idea.” She let out a breath, turning to face him. “I’m so sorry, I let go.” She couldn’t believe she’d done something so dumb, and it had nearly capsized the boat. “I mean one second we were…” She put her hand flat out to symbolize the boat upright on the water. “And the next…” She flipped the flat of her hand to one side.
“You okay?” he asked, mouth in a thin line, eyes hidden by sunglasses.
“Yeah,” she said, taking in a shaky breath. Was she? It all happened so fast.
“Let me see your hand.” Mark pushed his sunglasses up on his head and she could see his dark eyes, strained with worry. She almost didn’t want to show him her palm, which still smarted from the rope burn. Eventually, she did, and he stared at it as if trying to read her future.
