Page 95 of SEAL Summer Escape

Chapter 9

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BAILEY’S TEETH CHATTEREDan hour later as they treaded water in the Atlantic.Noah’s arm tightened around her waist, holding her to him, and she trembled.Even though they’d been off the shores of Florida, where the water temperature was relatively warm, she was chilled to the bone.

If Noah hadn’t been with her, she’d be in complete and utter panic.

No, scratch that.If Noah hadn’t been with her, she’d have drowned when she was thrown overboard.When the boat had listed to the side with the waves relentlessly shaking it, she’d gone over in an instant.With the rain pounding down from above, the ocean waves churning, and no way of knowing which way was up and which was down, she was certain she’d never make it out alive.

And then Noah had somehow appeared out of nowhere, hauling her against him.Reassuring her that she’d be safe with him.Promising her they’d both be okay.

She’d cried as she clung to him, scared and afraid and gasping for breath.

And even with the rain pouring from the sky, she’d felt better when he was there.

The panic and desperation rising within her had faded somewhat.He’d helped her remain above water, telling her when to breathe as they were sucked under, and he’d kicked them both back to the surface.Again and again.

“You doing okay, sunshine?”he asked, his voice deep.

His hard body holding her kept her from completely losing her mind.She was locked to him with his iron grip.

But even Noah couldn’t hold out forever.Maybe he had more strength and stamina than her, but he’d tire eventually, too.

Her gaze swept the area now that the rain had slowed.

There was no sign of Mason and Taylor or the boat.No sign of the Coast Guard.No sign of anyone.

“There’s no telling how far we drifted from where the boat was,” he said, his voice gruff.

“Do you think they stayed out here in the storm?Or headed back to get help?”

“It was bad,” he said.“They’re probably waiting it out.Especially after we went overboard.”

“Isn’t that dangerous for them?”

“Mason probably dropped the anchor and turned the bow into the wind.Sometimes it’s best to ride it out if you can’t outrun it.”

“But we might not even be swimming the right way,” she said as Noah pulled her along.

“We might not,” he agreed.“When the rain let up, I’m sure he circled around looking for us.It was tough to see anything more than a few feet away in the storm.And we don’t have anything to signal them with.”

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