The party winds down a short while later. I lean against the railing, the water lapping at the boat, and I close my eyes, the night so much better in the quietness.
I snap my gaze toward soft footsteps padding and see Sophia plop down on the white lounge, drag her knees to her chest, and wrap her hands around her legs. The slight breeze ruffles her long black hair, and her gaze lifts to the full moon stretching above.
She rocks herself before she rises to her feet and leans against the railing, her profile mesmerizing--smooth, elegant, pert nose, flawless skin, full lips. Her back stiffens as she senses she's being watched. She turns her head to me, and vivid blue eyes find mine. Two strangers sharing a moment, but those sad eyes, as if the entire pain of this planet drowned in them, make my jaw tic at how young she is for life to chip at her happy place. But again, the younger it happens, the better the chance of surviving life's mental fucking. Buckle up, princess.
I push myself off the door frame, and she moves to dart away, but she slips, falling over the railing and right into the water. It happens so fast I blink to make sure it wasn't a figment of my imagination. I count the seconds, waiting for her surface. Come on, I am not in the fucking mood to get wet. Panic hits me, and I dive into the dark sea, my eyes trying to adjust as I drag her up. The air hits her lungs, and while she coughs as I hold her, an inferno builds in my core, taking me by surprise.
"Easy there," I say as she blinks at me. My grip on her tightens, and her hand darts to stroke my jaw, caressing the day's stubble. I release her, her touch scalding me.
"I am sorry if I scared you," she says, her voice sounding like sin wrapped in sweetness as she moves her legs to stay afloat.
"You mean thank you," I snap.
"Thank you even though I didn't ask for your help and I didn't need it either," she counters. I smirk at her spunk.
"I wouldn't have bothered if you came right back up."
"Oh, you're my hero, you saved my life," she mocks. "Is this what you want to hear?"
"Learn to swim better," I say through gritted teeth.
"I can swim," she rebuts, confidence stirring in her vivid blue eyes. Our eyes lock in a battle of wills and with a speed that I didn't see coming, she grabs my shoulders and dunks me under the water, trying to hold me down. I push her off and wipe the water from my face. She giggles while I fume.
"You are demented."
"Hey, that didn't sound like a question." She jerks her chin, oozing defiance from every pore of her body.
"Because it wasn't a damn question."
"I don't react well to insults."
"What comes after trying to drown me?"
She rolls her eyes at me while I am suspended in this moment with her, as if she holds me here by just looking at me.
"I can't answer that, since I act on impulse."
She stirs something in me I can't pinpoint. My reaction to her bothers the hell out of me.
Her teeth chatter, and my hands itch to warm her as she wraps her arms around herself. She turns around, swimming in the opposite direction, not looking back. Smart girl.
At the concrete wall, she pushes herself up, sprints to the boat deck, and ducks through the door. I lift myself up the ladder and snatch a towel, my gaze pinned to the door she disappeared behind. I get inside and take a cold shower, but all it does is remind me of her in my arms. She's way too young for me, so why am I this riled up?
In bed, I beat the pillow to a pulp, tossing and turning. I fall into a restless sleep after I vow that tomorrow I will go inside the damn house, do what I've come here to do, and leave this place.
