"Of course, I’m cold, you ass. I’m naked and it’s the middle of winter, and we are out on the godforsaken sea."
"That won’t do." I click my tongue. "I think it’s best I warm you up."
I step forward and she skitters back.
"Do I scare you?"
"Of course, not," she scoffs. "In my line of work, I’ve seen all kinds. Especially egomaniacs, who think they own the world, are a dime a dozen.’
"You’ve never met someone like me, I promise."
"Oh?"
"I don’t think… I actuallydoown everything I see right now, including you."
"So you keep saying." She purses her lips. "Except, you haven’t delivered on your promise yet."
"Eager to have me inside you? Do you want me to fuck you right here on the table, Sparks?"
She swallows; her gaze darts to the table then back to my face.
"Is that what you’re going to do?"
I tilt my head, pretend to consider it. "No."
"Then what?"
"I am going to tie you up, first."
"What?"
I bend my knees, thrust my face into hers, "Run, Sparks. The longer you evade me, the easier I’ll go on you."
"Are you serious?"
"Go," I snap.
She turns, then dashes out of the galley. I follow her at a leisurely pace, as she races down the steps, across the living room, to the door that leads out to the upper deck.
"What the fuck?" My heart slams into my ribcage. I race forward, reach the door to the deck in time to see her disappear under the waves.
"No fucking way," I roar. "What have you done?"
I run back to the cabin, drop the sea anchor to limit the progress of the yacht; then race back to the deck, toe off my sneakers, and dive in after her.
I hit the water and the impact shudders through me. The cold overpowers me, flash-freezes me from head to toe for a second. I dive down into the depths, then open my eyes. Where the hell is she? Why the hell did she do this? This woman... Wait until I get my hands on her.
I catch a glimpse of white from the corner of my eye. I swim through the darkened water toward it, when something grabs my ankle. My pulse rate ratchets up. I glance down to find it’s her. She yanks me down. I reach for her. She evades me, pulls me down with a sharp tug. I lose my equilibrium, descend further. By the time I find my balance and swim upward, she’s far above me. Of course, the woman swims like a fish and when I get ahold of her… Adrenaline laces my blood. I kick my legs, propel forward, up through the depths. I reach her as she breaks the surface. I swim after her, swoop forward to grab her, miss. She pulls forward. I put on a burst of speed and grab her ankle as she reaches the yacht.
"Let me go," she pants. She kicks out at me.
I duck to avoid her, then yank her to me, "What the hell were you thinking?" I yell.
"I wanted to get away from you," she gasps.
"So you jump overboard?"
"Seemed like the thing to do." She tosses her head.
