The Kraken's Sacrifice (A Deal With a Demon #2)(17)

“A big fit.”

“Yes, that’s what I said.” A note of defensiveness creeps into her tone. “Look, I’m not a bends specialist, and I’m pretty sure I read it in a romance novel; I was more focused on getting to the naughty bits than on the science behind the bends. I don’t swim and didn’t anticipate it ever being a factor in my life. My mistake.”

I shake my head. “It’s good information to have. As I said, it won’t happen again.” It means spending more time during the trip with her close, but I can hardly assign Embry to the task. Zir reaction to my decision to take Catalina to the tower means ze won’t do it, and I don’t trust anyone else enough to wager the territory on it.

Catalina eyes the pool I emerged from a short time ago. “And we’re leaving now.”

“Yes.” The faster we leave, the faster I can retreat. I’ve only been in this room for a few minutes, but I can’t escape the onslaught of memories from the last time I was here. Of how good she looked tangled up in me. Of how desperately I wanted to touch her, to taste her. I don’t understand why this is happening.

Dangerous. This human is dangerous.

I haven’t felt this kind of draw since . . .

I take a breath and force myself to finish the thought. Since Brant. But it’s not the same. With him, it was as inevitable as the tide, a steady rush of needing to be close to him, to spend time with him, to get to know every part of him, body and soul.

With Catalina, it feels like a hurricane. I don’t know myself when I’m with her, and she’s only been in my territory for a few days.

It means I can’t trust myself with her.

“Thane.” From the exasperation in her tone, she’s said my name more than once.

“Yes?”

She worries her bottom lip but finally says, “I think I’m afraid of the water.”

“You think you’re afraid of the water?”

“That’s what I just said.” She shoves back a length of her long dark hair. “I’m trying to be honest with you. There’s no reason to mock me.”

“I’m not mocking you.” I simply do not understand how someone can fear the water. A healthy dose of caution is smart, but water is life. It still defies belief to think Catalina has spent her life without swimming.

She draws in a long breath, and it’s my only warning before her shoulders drop and her lips curve into that wild smile. Catalina still, but more. “Really, I would think you’d be enticed by this whole experience. Helpless damsel in distress, here for you to sweep up and carry around.”

“I am not enticed by incompetence.” It’s not what I mean to say. What I mean to say is that I’m not enticed by anyone but my husband, long gone and released into the depths. I’ve felt desire, but that’s not the same thing. But once the words are out, there’s no taking them back.

She’s completely undaunted. “Guess you’re just unlucky, then. Let’s get this over with.” She lifts her arms and makes a motion with her hands. “Uppies.”

“Uppies.”

“Thane, really.” She’s still grinning. “How are we to communicate at all if you’re just going to repeat every outrageous thing I say back to me? It makes for dull conversation.”

“If I gag you, you won’t be able to say anything outrageous.” Once again, as soon as the words hit the air between us, I’m appalled. I never talk to anyone this way. Certainly not some human who’s smaller and weaker than me.

But Catalina just laughs. “Always with the kinky good times. Keep making promises, and I might start to actually like you.” She makes that motion with her hands again, her hazel eyes sly. “Come on, Thane. Give me uppies.”

The sudden desire to have her in my arms is nearly equal to the need to put as much distance between us as possible. I have to get us to the tower, and then I can do the latter. Carrying her is just expedient. That’s all.

I sweep her into my arms, slightly gratified when she squeaks a little. I start for the pool but pause before slipping into it. “Do you know the parameters to avoid . . . the bends?”

“Um.” She stares at my mouth for a long moment and gives herself a shake. “Like I said, I was reading the book for the fucky scenes, but pretty sure we’re not supposed to ascend faster than thirty feet per minute. And there’s a safety stop about fifteen feet below the surface where we’re supposed to hang out for roughly five minutes.”

I consider the information. It might not be accurate, but it’s easy enough to ascend slowly and ensure she doesn’t collapse again. It means more time with her in my arms, but it’s a small enough price to pay. “We won’t be able to communicate below the surface, but I will keep you safe.”

Her smile dims. “I can’t promise I won’t panic.” She rushes on before I can figure out something even remotely comforting to say. “But you know the old adage about panic?”

Even knowing I’m going to regret asking, I can’t resist the invitation in her voice. “What old adage?”

“It’s nothing a good fucking can’t fix.”

Her laugh cuts off as I slide into the pool and descend below the surface. It’s just as well. The last thing I need to think about is fucking Catalina. It’s bad enough that I can still feel her tightness against the tentacle I pressed into her. The arch of her spine as she came. Her breasts, plump and inviting and topped with rosy nipples. Her lips parted with desire and too overcome for that wild smile that feels like a lie.