Page 143 of When Hearts Remember

I’m going to die. I’m going to drown. I’m going to—

Strong arms band around my back, and the next thing I know, my head is out of the water.

“I got you. You’re safe. You’re okay. I got you.”

Ethan.

Coughing, the water still burning my lungs, I cling to him—his warmth, the frantic beat of his heart, the quick puffs of air hitting my back.

“I got you, Nova. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll protect you with my life.”

My pulse rings in my ear, the room swirling around me, and it isn’t until a few seconds later when I fully register his words.

I’ll protect you with my life.

“Ethan?” I pull back slightly, my fingers digging into his shoulders.

He dips his forehead against mine and vows, “I’ll die before I let anything happen to you.”

A gasp tumbles out of me. The fervency in his voice. There’s no doubt. No hesitation.

He means it.

I lean back and look at him. His pulse batters against his temple. A desperate fire incinerates those stormy eyes.

Those familiar eyes.

What happened between us in the past?

“Ethan.” The rest of my body finally flickers to life.

Every inch of me is plastered against him. My softness against his hardness. My agility against his strength. My core clenches and my nipples bead into hard points.

Suddenly, the water feels too warm.

He draws in a sharp inhale, his pupils slowly dilating. His gaze trails over me—my eyes, lips, breasts, then dips lower. The tension thickens, and he swallows hard before locking his eyes back to mine.

Just like before, he skates his index finger down my nose and a sharp current sizzles through me.

He’s telling me something in that gesture, and this time, I’m learning the language.

“Someone once told me perseverance and effort are what it takes to succeed in life. And effort counts twice.” His voice is husky. “I have faith in you, Alexis.”

I stare at him, hypnotized by the reverence in his words.

“Shall we try again? You can swim. I know it.”

Right. Swim lessons. That’s why I’m here.

He’s chased away my terror.

I nod.

Despite the failure just now, the strange flashbacks confirming something sinister happened to me the night of the accident, I’m not afraid.

Because Ethan is here. He’ll protect me with his life.

This time, when he lets go, a new confidence surges through me, my body finally cooperating with my mind.

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