Escorting the Groom (The Escort Collection 4)

"Oh my God!" Blake said, watching them with delight.

"They're showing off for you," I said.

She pulled up her sunglasses, and I could see that her eyes were sparkling. "I can't believe it. They're so cool."

I couldn't help but smile. Her unabashed enthusiasm was infectious.

The dolphins followed us for a while, and we parted ways when we reached French Cay. It was a small, low-lying uninhabited island. The captain motored the boat expertly toward an inlet. We were out in open water, but we would be safe snorkeling close to the boat.

"Are you ready?" I asked Blake. I'd helped her assemble her mask and snorkel, and the captain had talked her through the basics.

Two hectic spots of color dotted her cheeks. "I think so."

"You'll be fine, babe. It's fun."

She nodded at me. "I'm excited." But she looked nervous as she followed me down the ladder to the water. I waited for her, treading water patiently. The wind had picked up a little bit, and the typically calm water had a bit of a roll to it, but it wasn't too bad. Blake seemed reluctant to let go of the ladder, but she finally did, paddling out to me cautiously.

"You okay?" I asked.

She nodded and adjusted her mask.

"Just follow me." I fit the snorkel into my mouth and swam over to her, making sure hers fit comfortably. She just nodded and gave me the thumbs up. "Let's do it." I put my face in the water and swam calmly toward the reef with Blake beside me.

Colorful fish swam past in groups. More were feasting on the bright, almost fluorescent coral. I pointed out a parrot fish, an angel fish, and a turtle. Blake nodded each time, keeping pace. We swam farther out, and I took out my mouthpiece in order to dive down.

I was examining some sort of triangular-looking fish when I heard what sounded like Blake screaming. I turned around in a panic.

She'd come underwater, but she was struggling to get back to the top. Her mouth was open, and I could hear her shrieking, even though it was muffled. I headed toward her then saw what she was upset about. A large barracuda, silver and sparkling in the sunlight, swam very close to her. Its spiky, needle-sharp teeth poked out of its mouth menacingly. It wouldn't likely go after her, but I could see why she was afraid of it.

I broke the surface of the water, and she was next to me, arms flailing. "Blake."

She went under then popped back up a moment later, barely catching her breath before disappearing again.

"Blake!" I swam to her swiftly, my arms cutting through the water, and grabbed her just before she went under again. I held her up and swam back to the boat. The captain and his first mate were shouting at me. The captain jumped in the water and helped me pull Blake up the ladder. She was spluttering and crying.

I managed to get the mask off her then checked her vitals. "I'm fine," she said, crying. "That fish just scared me, and then I panicked."

Once I was sure she wasn't in any physical danger, I wrapped her in a towel and brought her to the back of the boat, cradling her in my arms. She clung to me, still crying. "I'm sorry." She wiped her eyes.

I felt as if my heart was being squeezed. "Are you hurt?"

Her eyes were red, spilling over with fresh tears. "No, I'm just embarrassed."

I wiped the tears from her cheeks. "You've got nothing to be embarrassed about. I forgot to warn you that we might see a barracuda. And diving in open water like this on a windy day—that was a stupid idea. A selfish one. I'm so sorry." I pulled her closer, and she clung to me.

She let out a bark of laughter. "Five-year-olds snorkel, babe. I'm the one who should be sorry." She buried herself in my chest. "Just don't let that thing near me ever again! Did you see its teeth? Did you see its eyes? They were flat and shiny, like deadly nickels—"

"Shhh." I rocked her back and forth. "I saw it. I'm going to come back later and put a spear through it."

"Not without me." She shuddered. "I'm going to be the one to do it."

"No." I stroked her hair. "I'm keeping you safe from now on." Till death do us part. It hadn't even been a week, and I was fallin

g. Hard. She leaned up and kissed my cheek, and I wrapped my arms even tighter around her, still cursing myself for ever putting her at risk.

Chapter Sixteen

Blake