Page 40 of Take Me Back
He pressed his lips against my head just before a life ring landed beside us, sending another blast of water into my face.
“I got her. She’s okay.”
Dane bypassed the life ring to swim us both to the ladder hanging over the side. “Wrap your arms around my neck. I’m climbing us both up.”
“What? Wait—”
But Dane had already turned around and had me secured in position as he hauled us both out of the water.
In my possibly concussed and still inebriated state, I marveled at his strength. But who was I kidding? I’d do that sober.
“Damn, man. You dived off a moving boat like you’ve done it a hundred times. It was someBaywatchshit.” The captain’s tone took on a hint of awe. “Didn’t realize we had such a serious badass on board.”
Dane crouched down until my feet hit the deck before spinning around to enfold me in his arms. “I’d throw myself into a volcano to save her.”
“Oh my God, that might be the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” a woman with a Southern drawl said from a few feet away. “Newlyweds are so damn sweet.”
“We’re not married yet,” I said, the words coming out louder than I’d anticipated.
She tilted her head, her mouth dropping open in shock. “Honey, you better lock that man down as quick as you can. They don’t make many like that.”
Dane’s arms tightened around me. “With all due respect, ma’am, she’s the one who is irreplaceable and definitely one of a kind. Luckiest man in the world to have her. I’ll be putting a ring on her finger before the week is out.”
The woman sighed again and pressed a hand to her heart. “So sweet.” Her gaze sharpened on me as Dane turned us toward the bow to find a seat, and she mouthedmarry that man.
The captain returned with towels, and Dane wrapped me up.
“My hero.”
He looked down at me, his dark eyes shining. “I’m no hero, but there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Love you, baby.” Dane lowered his head and pressed his lips to my forehead.
Chapter 16
Kat
Present day
Dane follows approximately two steps behind me as we head down the dock to the catamaran, ready to spring into action at any moment in case I accidentally trip on the dock and pitch myself into the ocean.
It turns out that the dock isn’t the problem. The deckhand reaches out to help me into the boat, and my cute gold flip-flop slips on the fiberglass step.
Shit.
For a moment, I’m one hundred percent certain the next thing I’ll feel will be the warm water of the Caribbean. But instead of another less-than-graceful tumble into the ocean, I’m saved by Dane’s capable hands gripping me under the armpits and hauling me back onto the wooden surface of the dock.
He spins me around to face him, his fingers digging into my sides. “Jesus, babe. You okay?”
I nod, more embarrassed than anything else. “I’m fine. You know me.”
“Ditch the sandals first. I’ll help you on so we don’t have any mishaps.”
We both turn, and the deckhand who was offering his assistance to me apologizes profusely.
“So sorry, ma’am. I—”
“Don’t worry about it. All my fault.”
“But—”
