“Is that why you looked so worried?”
Did I?
It’s true, though. She’s already proven she’s not a great swimmer.
What the hell are we doing, going out in a storm like this?
All it’ll take is one rogue wave, and she’ll be overboard. That’s not the fantasy I had in mind when I imagined taking her out.
I was imagining sun. A beautiful sunny day, just the two of us on the deck, and I’d press her up against its railing in that absurd little bikini, feeling every curve of her body against mine. I’d claim her all over again, taking every inch of her as mine until—
“What are you thinking about?”
She stares up at me with wide, curious eyes, and I smirk, half-tempted to tell her.
What would she say if she knew my secret fantasy?
But that fantasy will never come true. Not now with the rain. Not unless she wants to get wet in more ways than one…
Back in the day, when my powers were unlocked, I could have blown away every damn cloud over us.
I’dmakeit sunny.
But as long as my powers are tethered to this little human, I can’t do that.
She frowns, and that’s when I remember I haven’t given her an answer.
“That bad, huh? You’re looking all stormy again and won’t even tell me what’s wrong.” She shakes her head. “If there’s something I should know, you gotta tell me, okay?”
“It’s fine,” I insist. Of course it is.
What’s the worst that could happen?
If she falls in, I’ll just fish her out.
No big deal.
Yeah.
I may not have water powers, but I’m an excellent swimmer.
“If you’re sure,” she says, but she still doesn’t look like she believes me.
Slinging one arm around her shoulders, I love the way she lets out a soft, surprised little gasp as I pull her close.
“I was just thinking about what would happen if you fell overboard. And how I’d have to save you, of course.”
Shaking her head again, she says, “You’re very confusing, you know that, right?”
“Me?” I ask, and I can’t help but grin. “How exactly am I confusing, human?”
“Nevermind,” she mutters, and she tries to turn away, but I take her jaw, forcing her to look at me.
“Tell me.”
“Fine,” she mutters, but she doesn’t really sound mad. “You’re just,you know—one minute you’re telling me I’ll have to learn to fend for myself. The next you’re acting like you’re always gonna be there to save me. So which is it?”
I freeze.
