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“Hey …” I said, my voice hoarse.
She stood and jumped on me, startling me. Arms around my neck, legs wrapped around my waist, sobbing uncontrollably into my neck.
I was surprised at the contact.
And my heart broke, hearing her endless cries.
My arms went around her, and I squeezed her tightly against me. “You’re fine. I have you, Becky. You’re fine.”
Her sobs accelerated, and she ducked her head into the crook of my neck.
I backed up and sat on the lounge chair behind me. “Sarah, get me a towel.”
When Becky’s cries heightened, she was practically convulsing, but my grip only tightened.
“Becky … everything will be okay.”
I wrapped the towel around her, around the both of us, and tucked her in closer. Words flew out of my mouth, fast and furious. I didn’t know if it was my adrenaline talking or what, but when my hand made it to the crook of her neck, keeping her in place, I knew in that moment that I never wanted her to leave, that in my arms was where she belonged.
“I’ll take care of you. You’ll be okay.” Because she would be. I’d make sure of it.
Her body molded into mine, and I gripped at the wet fabric of her swimsuit, digging my fingers into her waist.
Suddenly, an overwhelming emotion washed over me, making my breathing rampant, and a lump formed in my throat.
Relief.
Yes. That was what it was. Undeniable, full-on relief that she was safe.
Fuck, if I had lost her …
I couldn’t even let my mind go there. It was too impossible, too overwhelming.
Brad walked out, eyes wide, a moment later. “What happened?”
Panic struck his features, but I shook my head.
“Everything is okay. Can you get Sarah and Mary inside? Sarah can fill you in.” I pointed back to the house.
He picked up my shell-shocked Mary, still very wet, and carried her inside. She soaked Brad’s clothes, but he didn’t care. Sarah followed him in, giving us concerned glances as she went.
Once we were alone, I kissed Becky’s forehead, brushing her hair from her face. I let the relief flood me and just reminded myself that she was still here. Still breathing, heart still beating, blood still pumping. Still beautiful, still perfect, and still in my arms.
But I couldn’t dispel the idea of losing her. I wouldn’t be able to survive another loss … and not any loss—her.
And that was when I knew … I loved her. With my whole heart. Even with her secrets and my fears and the unknown, that love only burned brighter, stronger inside of me.
There was no going back from these feelings. I’d been in love before. And when I was in love, I loved fully and completely. It was how I was built.
She pulled back and struggled to get up, swiping at her eyes. “Where’s Mary?”
“Becky. Stop.” I readjusted, so I had a better hold on her. I wasn’t ready to let her go. “Mary’s fine.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, she cowered into me, tucking her neck into my shoulder, sobbing again.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know how to swim, and it was stupid of me … I’ll go. If you want to fire me … I’ll leave.”
She was talking nonsense now.Fire her?I didn’t want her to leave—ever. I wanted to hold her, keep her, care for her.
