Behind me floats a blue gelatinous motherfucker. Its long tentacles float on the current innocently, belying the agony ripping through my flesh. I try not to panic, but my arms are whirling through the water frantically as I seek out Steven’s eyes. A jellyfish. What should I do?
He hooks a hand around my bicep and pulls me away from the evil blob. Our heads pop above water and I spit out my snorkel with a soft whimper.
“Fuck!” I shout.
“Are you alright?” he asks, dragging me to shore as my body refuses to participate. I take a deep breath and consider his question. It hurts, but it actually isn’t as bad as it was a moment ago.
“Yes, butow,” I whine, pouting my lips and turning to face the shore so I can contribute to our movement.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get on land and neutralize the string. It hurts, but unless you have an allergic reaction, it should go away soon.”
His words pierce the haze of pain. I’ve seen enough TV to know how you neutralize a jellyfish sting. I look at Steven with wide eyes, dreading crossing this line with him so early in our relationship, but desperate for the pain to stop.
As we climb out of the water, contact with the air leaves the area pulsing with heat. I whimper again and resist the urge to touch it, afraid that the pain might spread.
“Okay,” I say “Go ahead. I won’t look.” I turn my face away and cover my eyes with my arm.
“What do you mean? Let’s go grab a kit,” he says, and I turn back, hope inflating in my chest.
“A kit?” I bite my lip, wincing. I chance a glance at my ankle and see red welts on my skin.
“Of course. Some vinegar will kill the pain. Can you walk?”
“You mean you’re not going to—” I blanch and feel the color rising to my cheeks as he belly laughs.
“Did you think I was going to piss on you?” He grins and his deep dimple distracts me from my pain and embarrassment. “You’ve seen too many movies.”
He dives for my waist, tossing me over his shoulder. I want to protest, but it feels so much better than walking and his broad muscles flexing beneath me are a pleasant diversion.
“Let’s get you home.” He jogs through the sand like he does this every day. I brace one hand against his back, my mask and snorkel in the other. I have a great view of his ass, tightening and bunching in his shorts, and I let it fill my thoughts as I try to ignore the dull throb radiating out of my inflated ankle. That ass is all mine to squeeze and grope once I get him alone again. Even stung by a jellyfish, I’m still the luckiest woman in the world.
I’m surprised by how quickly he gets us back to the bungalow. I suck my teeth as he deposits me in the hammock out front, but he’s gentle, treating me like precious cargo.
He returns with a bottle of plain kitchen vinegar, splashing it over my tender flesh. I groan as the sting flares and then soothes into a dull throb. The bite is instantly defanged, settling into more annoyance than pain.
I look at him with big eyes, radiating love and thanks.
“Better?” He strokes my calf, giving a wide berth to the affected area.
I nod, trying to blink back the tears. It hurt, and it surprised me, but it really wasn’t the worst feeling in the world. I feel a little silly for overreacting.
“They’re a right pain in the arse, but you should be all good now.” He leans down and kisses my knee, then my toes, sending a different sort of heat flickering between my thighs. He looks up as if he senses it, and the tilt to his lip sends a tremor through my spine.
“I’m really glad you didn’t have to pee on me,” I joke. “I’m not sure I would’ve been able to look at you the same.”
“Hey, it’s not my kink but I won’t judge.” He places a hand on his heart as if making a solemn vow. “Can I help take your mind off it?” he asks, spreading my thighs wider and leaning forward so I can feel his hot breath against my core.
I release a shaky breath, sending my awareness throughout my body. Am I really okay? The vinegar worked like magic. “Just be gentle with me,” I pout, running my fingers through his crazy hair.
“Always,” he rasps, tugging my bikini bottoms to the side. “Unless you ask me not to.” He winks, and then his tongue makes contact with my flesh and I forget about everything else.
Chapter 20
Steven
It’s been almost two weeks since the night watch when I fell for Junie hook, line, and sinker. She’s so smart, so funny, and the more she tells me about her life back in the States, the less I understand it.
The strong, determined woman I met describes a life back home where she was meek and unmotivated. It’s hard to imagine her just coasting by, staying in the same job or with the same guy because it’s the easiest thing to do.
