Maddie squirms as I tease her. Bringing her just to that point, then stopping. I’ve learned her body well over the past few weeks, and now she’s at my mercy. I laugh when she bats her little fists on my chest. I’m not going to let her have her way that easily.
“That’s it.” Frustrated, she wiggles out from underneath me and pushes me down, getting on top.
Not that I mind one bit. She smiles and starts to move. I gaze at her beautiful body. The way her firm breasts bounce and her long hair cascades over her shoulder. Beautiful. Touching her breasts first, I squeeze, feeling a jolt of pleasure when she yelps and tightens around me. I move one of my hands over her stomach and pause. Then a thought, an emotion so intense. I freeze.
“What is it?” she asks breathlessly. I press my hand to her stomach more firmly and make eye contact, begging her to see me. Surprise flashes across her face. Then I see a longing thatmatches my own. Pulling myself up, I kiss her there once, then circle my arms around her and kiss her mouth. I hold her as tight as I can.
After, as we lay side by side, she takes my hand and puts it back on her stomach.
“That’s what I want too, Scott.”
“Scott… Scott!” I’m jolted out of my daydream by Liam, who stands next to me.
His brows pull together in concern. “What’s on your mind, man?”
“Nothing.”
He stares at me, then smiles. “My advice. Don’t wait.” He walks back to the locker and unloads the equipment.
I shouldn’t let my thoughts wander on the job, but Maddie’s always on my mind. Maddie and Ding are staying at my house, but I haven’t officially asked her to move in yet. I think of the small satin box hidden in my dresser. And last night when she put my hand on her stomach. It changed everything. Why wait?
I look up at the sky. Bright and sunny a few minutes ago, it’s now overcast with dark, angry clouds. A shiver runs up my spine.
But it’s not bad enough to call the dive. Jamie and I suit up and get ready to descend.
My dive lamp cuts through the murk, illuminating the jagged limestone wall. Behind me, Jamie reels out some replacement line, his movements smooth and practiced. The line between us reminds me of where we are. My mind wonders to Maddie again. There’s a desperate tug at my thoughts today, like I need to be near her.
Margaret’s voice crackles through my comms. “Any progress down there?”
“Not yet,” I reply, scanning the uneven walls, ignoring Jamie’s stare. “We’re finishing cavern inspection. Then we’ll head back.”
A cut line near a tunnel entrance catches my eye. Looking closer, I bend down and pick it up. It’s not a line. What is this? Hair. How did hair get down here? The only others authorized to dive into Carter’s Drop are Wes’s crew and the Coast Guard. Wes was scheduled to dive earlier today. It’s hard to distinguish the color of the hair, but it’s a few inches long. None of the guys have long hair.
Liam’s voice slices through the silence, sharp and urgent. “Scott. You need to get to the surface now, man. We’ve got an emergency.”
My pulse spikes. I signal Jamie to come over, and my voice comes out steady despite the fear building inside me. “What’s going on, Liam?”
“Just get back up here,” he says, his voice tense. “It’s bad. You need to hurry.”
I don’t ask any more questions, signaling Jamie to ascend. I follow him.
When I surface, I take a deep breath. The sun, which has reemerged from the clouds, blinds me. Hauling myself onto the deck ofAdeline, I spot Liam pacing with a radio clenched in his hand. Jamie’s already onboard, talking to Margaret.
“Shit.” Liam’s dark skin washes out. “Is she… is she going to make it?”
“What the fuck is going on?” I demand. The urgency in his voice has set every nerve in my body on edge.
Liam turns to face me, his expression solemn, his eyes wide with dread. He takes a breath and hurries toward me. “The Coast Guard just sent out a relay. Two divers got in trouble a couple of hours ago. They’re asking for a temporary pause on dives today in case they need to investigate the Drop.”
My stomach turns to liquid, and my limbs go weak. I can’t breathe.
“Who?” But I already know. Jamie and Margaret have gathered around me, and they are preparing to hold me down.
Liam hesitates for a beat, then spits it out. “It’s Wes and Maddie.”
The words punch the air from my lungs. “What?” I step closer, my voice hoarse. “Is she alive?” My head spins as I brace myself for my world to shatter.
“They were diving in the caverns and had to ascend quickly because of some kind of emergency,” Liam explains, his voice strained. “Wes made the call for Maddie. She was in respiratory distress and lost consciousness. He performed rescue measures. I’m sorry. It doesn’t sound good. The Coast Guard already took them to the hospital. They don’t know her condition.”
