I swallowed hard, willing my voice to remain steady. “Exactly. That’s… that’s what I was thinking.”
Eli took a step closer, and I caught another whiff of his scent. The intensity of his gaze sent a jolt of desire through me. My carefully constructed composure threatened to crumble.
“Tell you what.” His words were soft and persuasive, like honey poured over velvet. “Why don’t we move the open water dives up to this weekend?”
This weekend? My mind raced. That was so soon, and yet…
“This weekend?” I echoed.
Eli simply nodded. My heart hammered in my chest. I should say no. I should take the extra week to make sure I was immune to him. But as I stood there, drowning in those indigo eyes, I realized I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to be with him. And that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
“I… I’ll have to check my schedule,” I managed, clinging to the last shreds of my self-control.
“Of course,” Eli replied, his tone maddeningly casual as that sexy smile raised his lips further. He stepped back toward the tanks, completely in control, damn him. “Just let me know.”
I turned to leave, my knees wobbling and panic fluttering through my chest. But as I hurried down the pier, I already knew what my answer would be. I glanced at the gentle ocean, imagining the world underneath. Would finishing the class with Eli—only Eli—plunge me deeper into chaos?
