Page 36 of Take Me Back
Maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
“We only have nine days left.”
Dane meets my gaze, understanding the meaning behind my words well. “We won’t waste them.”
Chapter 15
Kat
Iwake up the same way I fell asleep—in an empty bed. Dane showered again after dinner, and I tried to stay awake, thinking I could salvage day one of ten by reminding him how good we are when we’re naked. But alcohol and exhaustion got the better of me, and I passed out moments after the water came on.
I told myself it wasn’t a big deal because I was going to wake him up in a way he wouldn’t forget and start the day off right, but apparently he woke up before me, which screws up my plans.
Tossing the coverlet off, I roll over and pause. The room is quiet but for the sound of the wind and the ocean outside. Where could he have gone?
If there’s a gym on this island, he’d definitely find it, but I don’t remember him mentioning that.
With a swing of my legs off the bed, my feet hit the floor and I rise. As I stretch my arms over my head, more questions start filtering in.
What the hell time is it, anyway?
Where is my phone?
Why didn’t he wake me up?
Shoving my hair out of my face, I make my way to the bathroom to take care of business and attempt to look human after sleeping like the dead.
But we made progress last night. At least, I think we did.
I cross to my suitcase and select a coral sundress that’s mostly unwrinkled, as well as cute and fun, so I can go in search of Dane and coffee. I slide my feet into a pair of gold Havaianas, adjust the straps of the dress, and find my sunglasses before I unlock the door to the cabana and step outside.
Brilliant white light hits my eyes first, and I shove my shades into place.
Holy shit.
Outside, there’s nothing but blue ocean, and with the sun sparkling off the surface, it practically glitters. It’s blindingly bright, but I stand in awe for a few minutes, watching birds dive into the water and resurface before I remember I’m on a mission.
Stepping carefully down the pier, I make my way to solid ground and step off the path into the sand, drawn to the lure of the beach at sunrise.
It seems my feet know which way to carry me to Dane, even if I don’t realize it. Much like the first time I laid eyes on him, he strides out of the ocean, pulling his mask off his face.
And just like the first time I saw him, the wordmineflashes through my brain.
He lifts his other hand into the air, holding two things I can’t identify. One is a pole with a hook at the end, and the other is ...a lobster?No freaking way.
“I win that bet,” he calls as he comes toward me.
“What the hell did you do?” I ask, kicking off my flip-flops and leaving them behind as I jog down to the water’s edge.
“I caught you a lobster.” He holds it by the long antennae.
He cannot be fucking serious.
“Oh my God!”
“Wanna see if we can get the kitchen to make you a lobster omelet for breakfast?”
Dane comes toward me, swinging the creature, and I scream. If I thought the crabs last night were creepy, I’m not sure I want to get up close and personal with this guy. Just because I like to eat them doesn’t mean I want to give them a chance to pinch me.
