Page 2 of Slippery When Wet

“No,” I clipped, feeling like the world’s biggest idiot. How long have I been fighting the pull I felt from the moment I first saw her? How much time have I wasted? Have I lost her?

“Oh, okay. That’s good,” she whispered. "I think I fell asleep after the accident. I was stuck and—“ I didn’t miss the frantic tone that grew with every syllable.

“’It’s okay. You’re gonna be okay.” I had no idea how I managed to keep my voice steady and calm.

“Water’s in the car, and my seat belt’s stuck,” she surmised calmly. Too calmly. “What if?—"

“I promise I’ll get you out,” I vowed, trying to think about the best way to free her.

“Am I gonna die?” My nose flared. My head slowly leaned in, and I caressed her jaw.

“No. Don’t say that. Okay? I got you, pretty girl. Let daddy see those eyes.” I hadn’t meant to call myself that, but I doubted she’d noticed.

I tried like hell to stay calm. I had been the fucking GOAT of being cool, calm, and collected when I was a SEAL. But I’d never been in a situation where she’d been in danger. My teeth mashed together to stop them from chattering with blood-curdling fear.The beautiful curvy woman’s dark eyes opened slowly, and I nodded.

“Good girl,” I praised, and she smirked.Fucking smirked. That little expression would be engraved into my brain.

Abby Rivas was sweet. A local to Poppy Beach who had been born and raised there, she was like a ray of sunshine. If that ray had been blocked by a slightly overcast cloud. The woman—or girl, because she was fifteen years younger than me—had no idea how intrigued I’d been by her from the first moment I laid eyes on her two months ago.

Abby was clueless about the fact I had been subtly asking about her around town. That I’d not only been infatuated, I’d been fucking obsessed. Following her around, learning her schedule. Borderline creeper stalker status.

“Thanks, Daddy.” She sighed, resting her head back. If it weren't for the fact that her car was stuck in a ravine and water was quickly rising, my dick would have gone hard.

“That’s my girl.” I winked, feigning a calm I most certainly didn’t feel.Adrenaline spiked. If I had made a move, if I’d finally asked her out, she wouldn’t be here!

But I hadn’t.

Instead, I’d kept reminding myself of the long list I’d compiled of why I was all wrong for her. All while following her around like a lost puppy, trying to blend into the background anytime I caught sight of her in town. I tugged at the seat belt again, but it was useless. I couldn’t get it undone.

“I’m gonna get you out,” I vowed fiercely. That’s when I noticed she wasn’t looking at me anymore. Her eyes were shut, but thankfully, her chest rose and fell steadily. “I’m gonna get you out, princess, you hear me?”

“Hmm.” Her eyes were still closed. I reached into my back pocket and grabbed the Swiss Army knife I always carried. I worked it against the seat belt, back and forth, trying to cut her loose. With every second that ticked by, the water rose a little higher and higher.

“I’m gonna be stuck here forever,” she mumbled.

“You think I’d let that happen?” I asked, working the knife against the grains of the belt. I was making progress, slowly working with the grains, but it was taking too long. ¡Piensa! Think. How can I get her out?

“I don’t even know if you’re real,” she whispered. Her hand rose to touch me, but the car shook, and her eyes widened, then quickly shut tight. “Oh god!”

“Stay with me,” I urged. “I almost got it,” I lied. I hated the panic eating at me.

“So safe. Always so good,” she slurred as her eyes fluttered. “For what? I’m gonna die a virgin.” She shook her head. She was definitely out of it. Probably a concussion, I quietly assessed while doing the impossible: Ignoring what she’d shared. She was a virgin. Abby, the girl of my dreams, was completely untouched. Shit. This made the obsession I felt for her worse.

“I’m going to drown in my car, talking to an imaginary hot guy,” she rambled, and I didn’t like that.

“The hell you are,” I growled. One of her eyes popped open and looked at me.

“Are angels supposed to curse?” I choked on a chuckle. Fuck, she was adorable!

“I’m no angel, princess.”

“I don’t know.” She sighed. “I think you look heavenly. Maybe that's why I’m thinking you’re here now? When I’ve seen you in town, you’re just… dreamy. With a heavy helping of sinfulnesexy.” She laughed and then frowned. “Is that a word?”

“We will look it up after I get you out of here,” I promised. Abby’s eyes started to shut, and I noticed how she trembled in the quickly rising cold water. I worked hard to get her cut out, hating myself for not carrying better tools with me or in my truck. I vowed right then and there that every single one of my vehicles and those of my crews would always be prepared.

Just when I was starting to really worry, I heard it. Sirens rung out in the air, then red and blue lights cut through the darkness. Heavy boots sounded from above.

“Peña!” a voice I recognized called out.

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