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"It's a dolphin!" she cried, urging Aiden to come closer. "Look!"
Aiden joined her and peered over the edge. Sienna took the opportunity, opened the little door, and pushed them both out.
Everything happened so fast. In the moment before the fall, she could see Aiden's eyes widening and his mouth falling open in shock. Before she could prepare herself, her body hit the water. When her head submerged into the coldness of the sea, her mind sobered up and her brain sent red flags, warning her of what she did.
The shock of the water's temperature and the regret of her actions paralyzed her long enough to sink deeper and deeper. She lost the momentum to swim up, and the moment her lungs started to run out of air, the burning sensation caused her to panic. Her lungs fought to get a breath in, but her mind was still strong enough not to do it. She knew that if she inhaled now, the water would fill her up, making the burning sensation so painful that would cause her to lose consciousness and faint, which would be only one step before death.
Without knowing which way was up or down, Sienna started kicking. She moved her hands in furious movements, trying to get to the surface. Panic was creeping closer, causing her lungs to empty faster. The pressure hurt her ears as the clothes and shoes made it harder to swim.
Right there and then, Sienna knew she fucked up. Her time had come and some part of her would welcome death. Surely, it would be more peaceful. Being on constant alert and fighting was exhausting. Maybe for once, it was time to relax and let go.
Sienna took a deep breath, inhaling the water through her nose and mouth. Every part of her burned, the sensation was so strong that she felt her grip on consciousness slipping as the darkness claimed her.
CHAPTER 6
ABreathofairentered Sienna’s lungs, making them inflate and with the exhale, she went into a coughing fit, spitting out water. She opened her eyes, for a moment not seeing anything. As she blinked the blurriness away, she recognized Aiden’s beautiful face. His grey tortured eyes stared at her with worry and his dark curls were stuck to his forehead. Her eyes travelled lower until she saw his wet suit clinging to his body.
“You should really take that off,” Sienna told him with a hoarse voice.
Aiden looked at her bewildered, but Claudia, Rachel and Monica let out an uneasy giggle. It was only then that Sienna noticed everyone’s stares.
“Are you okay?” Aiden asked gently, caressing her cheek.
“I think I lost my shoe,” she complained, moving her feet. “They were my favorite pair.”
“I’ll buy you a new pair, Miss Ryder,” Angelo piped up from behind Aiden, wanting attention.
“You’re very kind,” Sienna told him with a smile, then used Aiden’s hand to help herself up.
Angelo mimicked her smile, clearly relieved to see her well. He looked around the deck and clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Let the party continue!” he exclaimed, and the guests cheered.
Aiden took off his jacket and shirt, exposing his perfectly chiseled abdomen. The women snickered and raised their glasses to Sienna, who acknowledged it with a nod.
“Were you trying to kill us?” he hissed at her, wrapping her with the blanket, then rubbing the warmth into her body.
Sienna shook her head. “That wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry. I didn’t think things through.”
His eyes softened at her apology and his voice appeared calmer when he asked, “Why did you do it?”
Sienna bit her lip and looked at the ground. “I wanted to cool down and the women wanted to see you without your shirt on,” she mumbled.
“Christ, Sienna,” he groaned, running his hand through his hair, unsticking his locks from his forehead. “You should’ve told me that instead of pushing us off the deck. Do you know how dangerous that is? We could’ve both died.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” she told him, meaning it. “I didn’t realize it. I had too much to drink and I didn’t think things through. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Aiden gave her a look that made her feel as if she was crumpling, but then to her relief he nodded and pulled her into his arms. The heat of his body worked better than the blanket ever could, and his protective embrace made her feel safe.
“It’s okay. What matters is that we’re both okay,” he told her and kissed her head.
“Thank you for saving my life,” she told him, burying herself into his chest.
He took a sharp breath, his back stiffening.
“It wasn’t me,” he confessed, his voice cold and full of regret.
Sienna pulled away to look him in the eyes. “If not you, then who?”
