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I tapped my chin, pretending to consider it. “Something with chocolate would buy you brownie points. But I can’t promise anything.”
His smile made him look a whole lot less stalkerish.
“I’ll be right back.”
Within ten minutes we were walking toward the far end of the grounds, sipping coffee and taking bites of chocolate donuts.
“So where are you taking me?” Travis asked as we rounded the last building, which appeared to be another themed restaurant like Shipwreck Sam’s. “My mother warned me about girls like you who lure men off to do horrible things.”
I bumped him with my shoulder and jerked my head back toward where we came from. “I wanted to get as far from the others as possible. Actual destination though? No idea.”
“Hmm.” He stroked his neatly trimmed beard and tapped his chin. “I’m quite interested in the aquarium, which is as far off the map as possible.”
My throat went dry, so I drained the last of my coffee and tossed it in a trashcan. “I thought that was closed.”
“That’s what our robot overlord said too,” he agreed. “Which is why I’m interested. Come on. It’ll be fun.”
The idea of getting into some harmless mischief did have its appeal, so I followed along as he led the way to the sprawling building backed up to the oppressive depths outside. He leaned over the trackpad and fiddled with his wristband. Then he stood back as the door slid open, offering his arm with a bow.
“After you,” he said.
The man had skills.
I strolled in, and the smirk fell from my face. The entire lobby was a micro-version of the resort, a small space enclosed in glass inside of an ocean teaming with life. My feet cemented to the spot as my breath came wild and far too fast, trying to keep up with my heart no doubt. I stared up, unable to blink as a hammerhead slithered above my head.
“Let’s get a look at the—” Travis stopped when he saw my rigid stance. “Oh shit. I forgot you have thalassophobia. Sam, look at me.”
I couldn’t move. I’d lost control of my motor skills. The glass ceiling was going to break and drown us both, assuming a fish didn’t eat us first. Travis appeared in front of me, and his hands took hold of my face, tilting it down so all I saw was him and his mahogany eyes.
“Focus on me, Sam. Just keep looking at me. I’m not so bad to look at, am I?” He grinned as he guided me carefully backward, step by step, hands firm and comforting as he fed me support.
I did like his eyes, and my body reacted to his touch. Confusion clouded my senses, and I nearly blacked out as I glanced to the side, trying to escape his gaze.
Travis scooped me into his arms and carried me the rest of the way out of the aquarium. He set me down on a bench and rigged the door closed before returning and sitting at my side.
“I am so sorry, Sam.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry, Travis. I should have realized what it might be like. Thanks for getting me out of there.”
“No problem.” He smiled again, and I had to stop myself from jumping him. The urge disturbed me.
“I should get back,” I said, averting my eyes.
“So soon?” he asked, taking my hands in his and grazing his lips over them like Mason had last night.
Holy hell, he was sending sensations down my body that made me feel out of control.
“’Fraid so,” I said, standing, and stepping away to give myself some space. The memory of his facial hair against my skin gave me goose bumps.
“Sam, wait,” he called, grabbing my arm and pulling me back before I could bolt.
Anxiety at being restrained overrode my common sense, sending me spiraling right back into a panic attack. “Let go of me!” I yelled, yanking my arm away and rubbing the spot where he held on just a bit too tight.
We stood there, breathing hard, staring at each other with a mixture of want and confusion, until a staff member rolled around the side of a nearby building faster than I thought possible.
“Back away from this woman,” the thing said, sliding between us and brandishing a short spear-like weapon of some sort. Blue electricity sizzled along the tip.
“Whoa, wait. I didn’t do anything,” Travis said, backing up.
