Page 10 of Beau

“Thank you for saving my life,” she said, laying her palm on his.

“My pleasure,” he responded, all civil and calm, although his heart thundered against his ribs, and the panic he’d held at bay returned with a vengeance. He pulled her up with a little more force than necessary.

Aurelie stumbled and fell against him.

Beau encircled her back with his arm and held her until she was steady on her feet, and he could get his breathing under control.

She stood with her hands resting on his chest, bayou water dripping from her hair. Somewhere along the way, she’d lost the goggles. Moonlight reflected in her dark eyes.

“You really are...” she started and stopped talking, her tongue sweeping across her lips.

Beau’s lips twitched on the corners. “Handsome? Tenacious? Striking? Dauntless?” he offered to complete her unfinished sentence.

“I was going to say Peter Pan since Robin Hood never had to battle alligators.” Her brow furrowed. “But if you want to go down the path of adjectives, I’d go for egotistical, arrogant and big-headed, especially since you’re wearing green tights and you’re all wet.”

He chuckled and let go of her, letting his arms fall to his sides. “Way to deflate my confidence.”

“I’m sure I only made a dent.” She stepped back. “But really, thank you.” Her gaze went to the bayou.

The gentle swirl of disturbed water highlighted the swish of the alligator’s tail as he swam away from his missed meal.

Aurelie shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “That was close.”

“Too close,” Beau agreed, thinking not of the alligator but of how much he’d wanted to kiss her and nearly had. He scooped up the quiver of arrows and slung the strap over his shoulders. “Any idea who tossed you into the drink?”

She shook her head. “None. He was dressed all in black, including a black ski mask that covered his face and head. All I know is that he was big.”

Beau nodded. “I saw him. I wasn’t close enough to stop him from tossing you over the rail.”

“I thought I heard someone yell.” She stared down at the water again. “Normally, I’m a good swimmer. Not great, but good enough to get myself out of the water.” She turned her gaze to him, her brow wrinkling. “I couldn’t tell up from down until you brought me to the surface.” She gave him a weak smile. “I’m sorry if I fought you. For a moment, I thought you might be the guy who threw me in.”

“We made it out,” he said. “That’s all that matters.”

“I guess I’m lucky you were out on the boardwalk when you were.” The lines on her forehead deepened. “Why were you out here?”

“I followed you,” he said.

“Why?” she asked.

He thought fast. “That kiss,” he blurted.

She nodded. “Regrets?”

He shook his head, a smile teasing his lips. “No. Not at all. I wanted to apologize if I embarrassed you in public.” Which was true. He didn’t regret the kiss. It was the highlight of his otherwise almost disastrous evening.

She stared at him for a long moment. “You didn’t embarrass me,” she said. “However, you might have embarrassed my father.”

He looked away, his mouth twisting.

“He didn’t…” Aurelie touched his arm. “Did my father say something to you about it?”

Beau shrugged. “Nothing I wouldn’t expect from a father looking out for his daughter.”

“I’ll bet it was a little more than a comment. Knowing my father, he probably threatened you with a lawsuit for sexual harassment or something equally ridiculous.”

Beau’s eyes widened. “Really? I guess I must’ve gotten off light. I only got the verbal dressing down. No lawsuits or threats of a hitman.” He grinned.

Aurelie buried her face in her hands. “Geez. Now, it’s my turn to apologize.” She lowered her hands. “My father can be a bit overprotective. I’m surprised he hasn’t hired a bodyguard to follow me around.”

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