Oh shit!
My body hit the ocean like I’d attempted the least graceful cannonball of the century. Saltwater invaded my mouth, driving away the rum and coconut as I sputtered and clawed my way to the surface.
Before I could get there, an arm wrapped around my waist and yanked me up. I gasped for air and swiped the hair from my eyes and mouth so I could breathe.
“Jesus Christ, babe. Are you okay? How’s your head?” Dane checked my temple with one hand as he treaded water, keeping us both afloat.
“I’m okay.” The words came out as one, and not in the most convincing fashion.
“Hold on to me. I got you.”
I got you. Why those words sounded so romantic at this moment, I didn’t know. Probably because we were eloping here in Costa Rica. Or maybe it was the head injury. Either way, Dane’s quick rescue wiped out most of the trauma from going overboard.
“You’re going to have one hell of a headache later. Shit, I’m so sorry. I tried to warn you, but I didn’t see it until—”
I squeezed Dane’s shoulder with one hand. “It’s okay. My fault. I wasn’t paying attention.”
He pressed his lips against my head just before a life ring landed beside us, sending another blast of water into my face.
“I got her. She’s okay.”
Dane bypassed the life ring to swim us both to the ladder hanging over the side. “Wrap your arms around my neck. I’m climbing us both up.”
“What? Wait—”
But Dane had already turned around and had me secured in position as he hauled us both out of the water.
In my possibly concussed and still inebriated state, I marveled at his strength. But who was I kidding? I’d do that sober.
“Damn, man. You dived off a moving boat like you’ve done it a hundred times. It was some Baywatch shit.” The captain’s tone took on a hint of awe. “Didn’t realize we had such a serious badass on board.”
Dane crouched down until my feet hit the deck before spinning around to enfold me in his arms. “I’d throw myself into a volcano to save her.”
“Oh my God, that might be the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” a woman with a Southern drawl said from a few feet away. “Newlyweds are so damn sweet.”
“We’re not married yet,” I said, the words coming out louder than I’d anticipated.
She tilted her head, her mouth dropping open in shock. “Honey, you better lock that man down as quick as you can. They don’t make many like that.”
Dane’s arms tightened around me. “With all due respect, ma’am, she’s the one who is irreplaceable and definitely one of a kind. Luckiest man in the world to have her. I’ll be putting a ring on her finger before the week is out.”
The woman sighed again and pressed a hand to her heart. “So sweet.” Her gaze sharpened on me as Dane turned us toward the bow to find a seat, and she mouthed marry that man.
The captain returned with towels, and Dane wrapped me up.
“My hero.”
He looked down at me, his dark eyes shining. “I’m no hero, but there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Love you, baby.” Dane lowered his head and pressed his lips to my forehead.
Chapter 16
Kat
Present day
Dane follows approximately two steps behind me as we head down the dock to the catamaran, ready to spring into action at any moment in case I accidentally trip on the dock and pitch myself into the ocean.
It turns out that the dock isn’t the problem. The deckhand reaches out to help me into the boat, and my cute gold flip-flop slips on the fiberglass step.
Shit.
For a moment, I’m one hundred percent certain the next thing I’ll feel will be the warm water of the Caribbean. But instead of another less-than-graceful tumble into the ocean, I’m saved by Dane’s capable hands gripping me under the armpits and hauling me back onto the wooden surface of the dock.
He spins me around to face him, his fingers digging into my sides. “Jesus, babe. You okay?”
I nod, more embarrassed than anything else. “I’m fine. You know me.”
“Ditch the sandals first. I’ll help you on so we don’t have any mishaps.”
We both turn, and the deckhand who was offering his assistance to me apologizes profusely.
“So sorry, ma’am. I—”
“Don’t worry about it. All my fault.”
“But—”
“No, really, I could probably injure myself watching paint dry. It’s okay.”
Dane helps me aboard, carefully and safely, and the deckhand is still smiling at my comment.
“I’m Fedor. I’ll be your tour guide and deckhand today, along with Captain Tisdale.” He indicates the man standing at the helm, who gives us a short wave.
Dane holds out a hand. “Dane. This is Kat.”
“Wonderful to have you aboard Sweet Girl. Today we’ll be sailing around the cayes and stopping at some favorite snorkeling spots. If you’re interested in a beverage, we have plenty of drinks on board, and I’ll also be your bartender. Can I get you anything to get started before we depart?”
Dane looks to me. “Kat?”
“Do you have something fruity?”
Fedor smiles at me. “We have Belize’s favorite fruity cocktail, the Panty Ripper.” He shoots me a wink.
“What’s in that?”
“Pineapple juice and coconut rum. Perfect for a morning out on the water.”
I’m not sure whether it’s because of the suggestive name or despite it, but the drink sounds delicious. “I’ll have one of those.”
“Excellent. And for you, sir?”
“Do you have Bloody Mary mix?”
Fedor nods. “Indeed we do. Homemade from the resort. I’ll get your drinks, and Captain Tisdale will tell you about the safety features of our vessel.”
The words safety features are clearly directed at me.
Captain Tisdale spends five minutes telling us about the life jackets, paddles, and restroom on board before Fedor returns with our drinks. We settle onto a padded seat as the two men prepare to depart.
Just as Fedor is tossing off one of the dock lines, a familiar voice shouts from the dock.
“Wait! We want to come!”