Page 98 of Shattered

She didn’t mean to, but she inadvertently froze at the sight. Something about seeing the ocean for the first time made her think about all the other things she had missed out on growing up. When she turned his way, he was looking down at her in what she could only describe as awe.

He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip.

“Your cheeks are going to get pink. We’ll stop and apply some sunscreen before we get in. You’ll get blistered if you don’t, and I intend to let you fully enjoy the beach.”

He shook his head.

“Come on, let’s find a spot.” They made it a short way to the water before he dropped the bag and pulled off his shirt. Sam stopped when they started to walk toward the water. “You’re just going to leave it all there? What if someone takes it?” she asked as she looked around to survey the small groups of people spread across the sand.

“Sam, look around. Everyone's stuff is just strewn about. No one is worried about our extra clothes. I promise it will be fine.” She looked back at the ocean and then back to him. “Go ahead. I can tell you are about to burst. Run on into the water.”

“Come with me.” She reached back out to him with a smile.

“Should we count to three or something?” he joked as she hesitated.

“Shut up.” She rolled her eyes and yanked him with her.

It was much colder than she would have assumed, and she stopped running when it hit her knees.

“We aren’t stopping yet, are we?”

Sam quickly turned to face him. “Are there sharks?”

He cocked his head to the side a little. “Well, itisthe ocean.”

“I mean, will they come this far in?”

“Sam, you’ll be fine. If a shark comes, I’ll let it take me first, okay? That way you get a running start,” he said and then burst out laughing at her horrified expression. “Calm down. I promise you won’t get attacked by a shark.”

“What about jellyfish or sting rays?” All of a sudden, she began to think this wasn’t the best idea.

“Oh dear lord,” he said in exasperation and quickly picked her up as he ran further into the surf.

“Callum! Wait! What are you doing?” The water made its way up to his chest before he stopped.

“Can you swim?

“Yeah. But I think–”

“Good.” He hadn’t finished the word before he threw her in.

When she popped back up, he was standing still a few feet away with water up to his shoulders, trying to contain a laugh. She tried but couldn’t quite touch the bottom so she frantically swam to him, wrapping her body around his under the pretense of keeping her afloat.

“You are such an ass.” She swatted his shoulder with her free hand.

He looked back at her, grinning. “How was your first underwater ocean experience?”

“Sucky. It tasted like shit and I got thrown in, so I swallowed some.”

“Sounds pretty normal to me.”

“Ugh,” Sam groaned.

She should unwrap herself from him. She knew how to float and swim, but her arms wouldn’t release their hold. They bobbed up and down with the current for a minute.

“We should have bought a couple floats in that little shop.” She finally made herself drop her arms in an attempt to swim away.

“No. I like holding onto you.” He reached out to her before she could get too far away and brought them back together again. “It feels good, right?” he questioned and she nodded her agreement, not knowing if he meant the water or the feel of his body so close to hers.

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