Read Online Dark Water: A Siren Novel by Tricia Rayburn - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tricia Rayburn
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swimsuit and venturing outside.
It was late morning but the sun hadn’t yet burned the chill from the air. I rubbed my bare arms as I jogged across the patio and started down the stone steps. Halfway to the beach, my chest grew heavy again and my knees threatened to buckle. I debated going back inside but quickly decided against it. I felt bad now, but I’d feel a million times worse if I skipped my morning swim.
My energy started to return the second my feet hit ocean.I pushed through the break and then dove under, relishing my body’s instant weightlessness. I breathed deeply and succumbed to the current, letting the waves carry me toward the horizon and bring me back toward shore. Eventually, I tested my arms and legs; when a single motion propelled me forward several feet, I changed direction and aimed for the beach.
“Are you okay?”
Seeing the boy standing there, wearing cargo shorts and nothing else, I stopped in the break. My body didn’t move as water crashed into it.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded.
Colin looked at me and pointed at the kayaks behind him. “I came to get these since the house is off the market. My mom asked your mom, who said I could stop by anytime and—” He blinked, shook his head. “Are you
okay
?”
I was tempted to retreat below the surface until he gave up and left. But there was a good chance he’d return with professional medical assistance, so I crossed my arms over my chest and hurried across the sand instead. As I passed him, I noted the T-shirt, fleece, and sneakers lying by his feet. The fact that he’d been about to come in after me prompted me to answer his question.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“But you were under, like, a really long time,” he called after me. “Most people couldn’t … I mean, how did you … without a tank or …”
I stopped again, this time by the rocks leading to my bedroompatio. Not because I wanted to keep talking but because as quickly as it’d returned, my energy was waning. A swim like the one I’d just taken usually kept me going until early evening. Was it the surprise? The stress of some stranger seeing me do what no one could? The terrifying thought that he’d tell others?
Whatever the reason, my body was shutting down. My knees sank toward the rock. My palms landed next to them.
“It’s okay,” I said, fighting to keep my voice normal. “I’m fine, I just need to—”
His hand pressed against my back—barely, like he was afraid he’d hurt me—but the contact fired a bullet of strength that exploded through my chest. I gasped at the sensation, which made him pull away.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Please. Can you just … would you mind …?”
I didn’t even know what I was asking. Fortunately, Colin did. He took me firmly by the arms, guided me to a seated position on the rock. He lowered himself next to me and then tensed. I did, too, but only briefly. The urge to close my eyes and lean against him was too powerful.
The second our bare flesh met, his arms were around my waist.
It’s okay … it’s just Simon … my Simon, taking care of me the way he always does.…
“Are your parents inside? Do you want me to—”
“No.” I wrapped my fingers around his forearms, squeezed gently. “I just need a minute. Please don’t go.”
He tightened his hold until I could feel his heart beat fast against my back. After a minute, he released one hand to brush my damp hair off my face. I felt stronger—and guiltier—with each passing second. As soon as I felt able, I wanted to pull away and run up the steps … but to be on the safe side, I knew I needed to do one thing first.
“Colin?”
His head lowered next to mine, giving my body another surge. I shifted in his arms until our eyes met, and then I struggled not to look away.
“Thank you for staying.”
“Are you kidding? There was no way I was leaving after you—”
I pressed my palm to his cheek. His mouth froze
It was late morning but the sun hadn’t yet burned the chill from the air. I rubbed my bare arms as I jogged across the patio and started down the stone steps. Halfway to the beach, my chest grew heavy again and my knees threatened to buckle. I debated going back inside but quickly decided against it. I felt bad now, but I’d feel a million times worse if I skipped my morning swim.
My energy started to return the second my feet hit ocean.I pushed through the break and then dove under, relishing my body’s instant weightlessness. I breathed deeply and succumbed to the current, letting the waves carry me toward the horizon and bring me back toward shore. Eventually, I tested my arms and legs; when a single motion propelled me forward several feet, I changed direction and aimed for the beach.
“Are you okay?”
Seeing the boy standing there, wearing cargo shorts and nothing else, I stopped in the break. My body didn’t move as water crashed into it.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded.
Colin looked at me and pointed at the kayaks behind him. “I came to get these since the house is off the market. My mom asked your mom, who said I could stop by anytime and—” He blinked, shook his head. “Are you
okay
?”
I was tempted to retreat below the surface until he gave up and left. But there was a good chance he’d return with professional medical assistance, so I crossed my arms over my chest and hurried across the sand instead. As I passed him, I noted the T-shirt, fleece, and sneakers lying by his feet. The fact that he’d been about to come in after me prompted me to answer his question.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“But you were under, like, a really long time,” he called after me. “Most people couldn’t … I mean, how did you … without a tank or …”
I stopped again, this time by the rocks leading to my bedroompatio. Not because I wanted to keep talking but because as quickly as it’d returned, my energy was waning. A swim like the one I’d just taken usually kept me going until early evening. Was it the surprise? The stress of some stranger seeing me do what no one could? The terrifying thought that he’d tell others?
Whatever the reason, my body was shutting down. My knees sank toward the rock. My palms landed next to them.
“It’s okay,” I said, fighting to keep my voice normal. “I’m fine, I just need to—”
His hand pressed against my back—barely, like he was afraid he’d hurt me—but the contact fired a bullet of strength that exploded through my chest. I gasped at the sensation, which made him pull away.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Please. Can you just … would you mind …?”
I didn’t even know what I was asking. Fortunately, Colin did. He took me firmly by the arms, guided me to a seated position on the rock. He lowered himself next to me and then tensed. I did, too, but only briefly. The urge to close my eyes and lean against him was too powerful.
The second our bare flesh met, his arms were around my waist.
It’s okay … it’s just Simon … my Simon, taking care of me the way he always does.…
“Are your parents inside? Do you want me to—”
“No.” I wrapped my fingers around his forearms, squeezed gently. “I just need a minute. Please don’t go.”
He tightened his hold until I could feel his heart beat fast against my back. After a minute, he released one hand to brush my damp hair off my face. I felt stronger—and guiltier—with each passing second. As soon as I felt able, I wanted to pull away and run up the steps … but to be on the safe side, I knew I needed to do one thing first.
“Colin?”
His head lowered next to mine, giving my body another surge. I shifted in his arms until our eyes met, and then I struggled not to look away.
“Thank you for staying.”
“Are you kidding? There was no way I was leaving after you—”
I pressed my palm to his cheek. His mouth froze
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