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“Don’t be silly. I enjoy spending time with you.”
“Something tells me there is someone else you’d rather be spending time with.”
I cock my head, a playful challenge. “Then you’d be wrong.”
She laughs and stands. “You’re selling, but I’m not buying,” she says. I just laugh and follow her back inside the house. The cool air-conditioning dries the moisture on my flesh. “You’ll be attending the Carnival in the village, yes?” I open my mouth, and she cuts me off. “You need to work less and play harder.”
“Have you been talking to Granddad?”
She laughs. “He’s a wise old man, Wil
l. You should listen to him.”
I glance at my watch. “I would listen to him if he’d ever call me back.”
We head to the front door, and I give her a hug to see her off. Back inside, I’m about to go to my den but instead find myself wandering to the deck. I lean on the rail and look out, but Khloe is no longer in the pool. Now she’s making her way down the wooden steps that lead to the ocean. A warm breeze washes over me as I enjoy the view—and I’m not talking about Magdalen Bay.
Khloe steps into the water, slowly going deeper. For a moment, she disappears in the rough waves, then she jumps to the surface a little farther out. Her squeal of delight carries in the breeze and reaches my ears. It brings a smile to my face. I tug at my T-shirt and consider joining her, but that could only lead to trouble. It’s best I lock myself away in my office and get some work done. That and I should call and check on Granddad again.
I pull my phone from my back pocket, but my heart jumps into my throat when Khloe’s squeals of delight turn into a cry of pain.
What the hell?
She disappears under the water, and I take off running. I bolt through the house, push open the door leading to the lower back deck and take the steps to the ocean two at a time. I tug off my shirt and toss it as I go, then kick off my shoes. I reached the edge of the water and search for Khloe, but Jesus, I can’t find her. As full-blown panic burns through my blood, I splash into the surf and dive under. I swim, search, the salt water stinging my eyes. I break through the surface for air and catch a glimpse of Khloe trying to swim ashore.
“Khloe!” I call out.
“Will,” she whimpers, and I hurry to her. Her lips are twisted, and tears prick her eyes, but I can’t see any physical injuries. “What happened?”
“My leg. I don’t know what happened.”
I scoop her up and fight the tugging waves as I carry her back to the shore as quickly as possible. The second the sand goes from wet to dry, I set her down and take her leg in my hand.
“Damn,” I say, and study the spreading red rash.
“Shark bite?”
“No,” I assure her, but her eyes are so big and wide, so worried she was attacked by a shark in five feet of water, it’s all I can do not to smirk.
“Are you laughing?”
“I’m not laughing. This isn’t funny.”
“You seem like you’re laughing.” She reaches for the red spot and winces. “It hurts.” I catch her hand before she can touch the sting.
“A jellyfish sting is nothing to laugh about.” I search her face. “Are your tetanus shots up to date?” She nods. “Okay good, the sting isn’t too bad. You likely only brushed up against the jellyfish, but we need to treat it right away.”
“No way, Will.” She tries to push me away. “Get away from me. I mean it.”
“What the hell, Khloe. We have to remove the tentacles. There looks to be about two. That’s not many, but we have to remove what’s there.”
“You are not peeing on me. Ohmigod. Could this week get any worse? First I vomit in front of you and now you’re going to pee on me.” She covers her face with her hands. “And this bathing suit. I have no dignity left. None.”
This time I do laugh.
She pushes me again. “See, I knew you were laughing.”
“I’m not laughing. Well, I am.” Only because she’s so wildly sexy when she gets angry, and she was worried I was going to pee on her.
