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An intensity warms his brown eyes and he gently hugs my body to his. “You can. ”
I suck in a breath. Ryan’s doing it. He’s giving me the same look Chris gives Lacy. The same look Noah gives Echo. Maybe I can. My heart thunders as I reach up and grab the hair curling near the base of Ryan’s neck. “Don’t drop me. ”
“I won’t. ” Ryan’s voice is so soothing—so confident—I almost believe him. Maybe I can believe him. He won’t drop me. He’ll hold me.
He swore it.
“It’s time to let go,” he says.
One breath. Another. He won’t let me go. I loosen my grip and Ryan immediately lowers his arms. Water floods over my body and laps against his chest. My head snaps up and I kick and splash to stay above water. Panic commands my lungs. He’s taller than me, which means I wouldn’t be able to stand in the water. “Take me back. ”
Ryan lowers his forehead to mine. His warm breath fans over my face. “I will never let you go. ”
He won’t let me go. He won’t. “Okay. ”
Ryan skims his nose along my cheek and goose bumps rise on my neck. He pulls his head back. I fight the urge to cling to him.
Ryan said he wouldn’t drop me and he won’t.
He won’t.
My hair becomes weightless in the water and licks my cheeks. Ryan’s strong arms reaffirm his promise to me. “Tilt your head back,” he says.
I inhale and do as he asks. Water enters my ears and my muscles flinch with fear. Ryan keeps his firm hold. “Spread your arms to your sides and arch your back. Let your legs float. ”
As I slowly follow instructions, Ryan steps from me. I jerk toward him. “Ryan!”
He shakes his head. “I’m not letting go. I’m giving you room. Keep your head tilted back. ”
Head tilted back. Arms and legs spread out.
My pulse throbs in my ears. Ryan’s voice is muffled, but I can read his lips. “Relax. Breathe. ”
Relax. Head tilted back. Arms and legs spread out. Breathe. I stare at the clouds overhead and the trees hanging over the pond.
Relax. Head tilted back. Arms and legs spread out. Breathe.
A pair of birds circle in the sky. It’s a playful dance. They spread their wings and let the gentle wind pull them u
p and over. Down and around. God, I wish I was free. I wish I was a bird floating in the breeze. I close my eyes and pretend I’m a bird. My muscles melt. The water makes a rhythmic swishing melody in my ears. Away and near. Away and near.
I’m a bird—floating on the breeze. A gentle nudge in the back of my mind whispers that I know this feeling. I’ve owned this feeling for years. This feeling of drifting, swaying, floating. I’m floating. Through the water I hear Ryan’s sweet muffled voice: “You’re doing it. ”
I open my eyes and see that glorious smile on his lips. The smile that is for me. Me alone. I go to smile back and I realize I already am. I’m smiling. My stomach clenches and the chains return. Oh God, no. I’ve fallen in love with him. I’ve done it. I’ve given him power over me.
Ryan
BETH IS A BEAUTIFUL FLOATING VISION. Her black hair drifts on the surface of the water and the peaceful smile I love graces her lips. Her eyes no longer have their glazed guard. They are as calm and deep as the ocean. For the first time ever, Beth is letting me see her soul and if I had any doubts before, they’re gone. I’m in love with Beth Risk.
Beth blinks and the smile fades. Several raindrops plop into the pond and the sound of the incoming storm taps against the trees. Beth sinks and I catch her before her head goes under.
“Let me go!” Her grip isn’t nearly as tight as I carry her onto the shore. The light rain becomes steady and quickly saturates my hair.
I place Beth on her feet and my heart plummets. She’s slammed shut her walls.
She pivots on her feet and darts toward Scott’s tree line. Beth trusted me in the water.
She cares for me. I know it. The promise I made to her is forever—I will not let her go. I chase after her and grab her by her waist before she steps into the woods. “Dammit, Beth! Stop running from me!”
