Page 48 of Leave Me Behind
What is he going to do to me out here? Throw me in and leave me for the sharks? I shudder at that thought and pull my knees to my chest.
Jenkins always laughed at my fear of the ocean, but he made sure I knew to keep it a secret. I could put our entire squad in jeopardy if I faltered in the water.
Maybe if I hadn’t watched two children get eaten alive by sharks when I was a kid, I wouldn’t be so afraid of them.
“Alright, hop off.” Bradshaw’s hands come down at my sides to throw me into the depths, but I lean back into his chest, hoping to appeal to his better nature.
My voice is a plea. “Please, don’t.”
His laugh vibrates against my spine and he turns me so I’m facing him. “What’s in it for me? I’d really love to see you screaming in the water for my help.”
My eyes widen and desperation makes me generous.
I swallow and look down at the bulge in his pants. He chuckles again and practically shouts, “You think a blow job will save you?!”
I glare at him and shove his shoulders back without thinking of the repercussions. His eyes are wide as he falls into the water, but instead of anger or wrath, I only catch a glimpse of amusement before he disappears beneath the surface.
Oh fuck, what have I done?I cling to the board and start paddling away as fast as I can. I hear his body break the water’s edge and dare to look back.
A dark smile reaches his eyes as he grabs the board and flips it. My scream is cut short by the water engulfing me.
I swim to the surface and choke out a few strangled coughs before blinking the water from my eyes. The first thing I notice is the empty surfboard bobbing in the waves. Panic rushes to my brain.
Where the fuck is he?
I don’t have to wonder for long.
Arms wrap around my shoulders and my heart hammers against my ribs. He’s going to drown me here, this is it for me. His words replay in my head.“The only good Riøt soldier is a dead one.”
A terrified shriek breaks from my lips and my legs start to convulse.
“Hey,hey.Calm down, Bun,” Bradshaw says gently, sounding genuinely concerned. He spins me in the water so our noses are pressed together.
I don’t want him to see me like this. I swore I’d never let anyone see me this vulnerable. But this is what the ocean does tome. I fear it more than the battlefield, more than an M16 pressed against my skull.
He takes me in, shocked by my reaction. He treads water powerfully with his legs, keeping one arm wrapped securely around my back.
Fear makes me a different person. The ocean makes me weak.
I wrap my legs around his torso and cling to his shoulders. I didn’t realize how much bigger than me he was, how strong his muscles were, but feeling them work between my thighs to keep us afloat makes it hard not to notice. His grip around me tightens as my teeth chatter together and my body trembles.
Bradshaw lets out a light-hearted sigh before letting his head rest against mine, breathing me in.
“You’re really that scared?” His voice is thick with remorse.
“W-what, you don’t l-like this as much as y-you thought you would?” My retort sounds lame with my shaking words.
He holds me tighter against his chest. “No. I don’t,” he admits. My breath evens out as he swims us back toward the board and pushes me on top of it. I instantly draw my legs back to my chest and shiver.
Bradshaw remains in the water, forearms folded over the surfboard and resting his head against them as he gives me a sidelong glance.
“What are y-you doing? Get back on.” I try to pull his arm up, but he has it firmly in place. Even seeing him in the water gives me unease.
“Why? What’s the worst thing that could happen to me, Bunny?”
“There could be sharks…” It sounds so stupid coming out of my mouth, but I can’t help what terrifies me.
He stares dumbfoundedly at me for a moment before tilting his head back and letting out a ridiculous laugh. “Are youserious? That’s what you're so afraid of?” His rare laughter starts to make me smile against my best efforts.
