Page 52 of The King Contract
Noah nods. “That’s normal. But we’re not going anywhere near?—”
“I’m scared of stonefish!” I blurt out.
Noah blinks. “Stonefish?”
“Those assholes that disguise themselves on the ocean floor and in rock pools, waiting for schmucks like me to step on them.” Noah looks perplexed as I continue to ramble. “The day you pulled me out of the water? You screamed at me and as you did, IswearI saw a stonefish and the next minute I’m getting battered by waves.” I close my eyes, heat scorching my cheeks. “Since I was nine, I’ve been terrified of stepping on one and dying.”
I open my eyes to see Noah’s cheeks have inflated, as if he’s fighting back the urge to laugh in my face.
“It’s not funny,” I snap. “Stonefish can kill people.”
“Y-yes, that’s true,” Noah says, his voice shaking. “I think it’s a rational concern to have when entering the ocean. There are a lot of things that could cause pain or injury. Even death.”
I throw my hands up. “Why do people insist on going in it?”
Noah’s face cracks and he lets a laugh out. “Because the benefits and the beauty outweigh the risks. I’m not going to lie to you. The ocean is wild and unpredictable and terrifying. She can make you feel the most alive one day and tear you apart the next. She’s unforgiving and relentless and peaceful and beautiful. We’ve always called her a paradox. I can’t guarantee you’ll trust her, but I can try.”
I’m not sure how long I stand there, staring up into Noah’s swirling green eyes in awe. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard something so beautiful come out of his mouth before. Or anyone’s, for that matter. He meets my gaze with another smile and his right hand lifts and pushes my curls out of my face, sending a tingle down my spine.
“Is that a line from a movie?”
Noah grins, tucking more hair behind my ear. “No, but was it that good?”
“It was pretty good.”
Noah’s eyes flash with an unexpected heat as I lean slightly into his large hand, which has stilled on the side of my neck.
“So, you admit it wasn’t my fault you fell in?” Noah rubs his thumb across my skin.
My heart rate accelerates. “Don’t push it.”
His throat bobs as he swallows. “Anytime you want to stop, we stop. Got it?”
I nod. “Got it.”
Noah’s hand lingers for a few seconds before he drops it and lifts my board again. We head to the shallows and all I can think about is how stepping on a stonefish would be more manageable than whatever is happening with my thundering heart.
“Again, Maelstrom!”
“This is pointless!” I splutter, laughing. “I don’t have the right wiring in the brain to get this.”
“You’resoclose!”
I’ve come close to standing all the way up on the board so many times I’ve lost count. It’s like I can taste it, feel it beneath my toes gripping the board, but it’s just out of reach. The waves out the back of where we’re practicing are roaring and it’s getting a little rougher. I have no idea how anyone ventures out of this safety area.
“One more time!” I agree.
I wade out towards Noah, who’s helping me line up which tiny waves to paddle in on. He’s standing with his hands on his hips, water glistening on his tan muscles. I’m sure my salivating is from the need for water.
“One more time,” he promises as I reach him. “You’re doing great.”
I beam at his praise, my shoulders rolling back with pride as I set the board up like Noah showed me, hands on either side of it, looking back for the right wave to paddle in with.
“This one.” Noah nods at the small wave. “Paddle! Go! Go!”
I slide my body onto the board with minimal grace and paddle as far as my arms will allow, scooping the water beside me as I hear the wave approach. Noah’s yelling, but I’m not sure what he says as I tuck my feet up, curling my toes onto the board,shift my weight forward and steadily rise—and I don’t fall. Seconds pass and I’m still standing on the board, and I scream at the top of my lungs, punching the air with both fists before I topple into the water.
I’m spitting salt water from my mouth as Noah helps me up. “You did it!”
