“Lead the way.”
Chapter 18
As she shimmied through the tight crevice behind Colt, Penny’s chest constricted, and it took all her willpower not to hyperventilate.
“We’re almost there,” Colt announced with confident assurance. “And once we get to the other side, it’ll all be worth it.”
Drawing in a shaky breath, she pushed forward.
The oppressive walls seemed to close in around her, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could take the confined space, but keeping her headlight trained straight ahead provided a modicum of comfort. As long as she could keep the end in sight, she would be okay.
As soon as the reassuring thought crossed her mind, she felt something brush against her leg. With a terrified squeal, she jumped, whacking her headlamp against the cold, hard stone. A horrifyingcrunchpreceded immediate darkness.
Great!There were probably killer spiders lurking in the tunnel and she’d just broken her only source of light.
Frantic, she stretched her fingertips into nothingness. “C-Colt?”
“I’m here.” Farther down the tunnel, he craned his neck to glance over his shoulder, illuminating her face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m not sure. I think I felt a spider or something. And I accidentally broke your headlamp.”
“Come closer. We still have mine.” As he tapped his bulb, it suddenly went out.
“That’s not funny,” she chided through clenched teeth.
“I’m so sorry, Pen.” His tone was deathly serious. “My battery must’ve died.”
“Please tell me you’re joking,” she whimpered in the darkness.
“I’m afraid not. But don’t worry, we’re almost at the end. And another group should be coming through this way soon.”
On the verge of panic, Penny drew in a shallow breath, following the comforting beacon of Colt’s voice.
Her legs trembled as they crept onward, the sound of shuffling sediment filling the silence.
After what felt like hours—though likely only lasted a few minutes—the air shifted, free and unfettered by the impenetrable barricade of limestone.
But Penny could only guess that they’d made it to the next cavern. Without a shred of light, she couldn’t be sure of anything.
Reaching for Colt blindly, she staggered forward, stumbling on the uneven ground. She cried out before being caught up in strong, steady arms.
“Are you okay?” They stood so close his breath caressed her forehead.
Startled by the instant jolt of awareness, she couldn’t speak, barely managing an imperceptible nod.
“Pen, are you all right?” As he repeated the question, his voice sounded deep and gravelly, and Penny felt the vibration all the way to the tips of her toes.
She swallowed hard. “Yes.” The solitary word escaped in a throaty sigh, and she was suddenly conscious of Colt’s rough fingertips traveling the length of her bare arm, causing every inch of her body to tingle.
Something about standing mere inches apart in utter blackness made Penny more aware of his scent—the way it enticed her like an invigorating gust of ocean wind. And how his rich timbre resembled the soothing rumble of powerful waves against the shore.
She could no longer deny the pull he had over her, a rip current that could so easily drag her out to sea. Her heart fluttered as his left hand slid around her waist, finding its home against the small of her back.
“This isn’t real,” she whispered, recalling the prevailing wisdom to survive a rip current—don’t fight it.
“Are you sure?” Colt murmured. His skillful fingertips worked their way up her arm to explore the nape of her neck, as though, even in darkness, their bodies were completely in tune.
Following the sound of his voice, Penny reached up and lightly grazed the indentation in his left cheek—the hint that he was smiling.
