Page 112 of Positively, Penelope

“You’re all right.”

His voice broke her from her stupefied pose and she rushed forward, burying her face into his chest. Without hesitation, his arms wrapped around her, holding her against his warmth, encasing her with his touch and his smell and his rescue.

She didn’t want to let go.

At first, the sense of safety held her there, assuring her that she wasn’t going to die from some horrible nautical attack, but as her fear subsided, she stayed for a different reason. Something deeper and sweeter. Shewantedto stay. Right here. With him, all wrapped and warm against him, because it washim.

He released a long sigh and then pulled back. His warm palms slipped to her cheeks as he searched her face. “Thank God, you’re all right.” He pressed his forehead to hers, his lips curving upward. “I thought I’d lost you to either the local fishermen or the vengeful mermaids.”

She shook her head, giving his jacket a little tug to hold him close and trying hard to keep her voice steadier than the rapid fire of her pulse. “I’ve only been introduced to a sea monster, no mermaids yet.”

Those impressive brows rose. “Please don’t tell me you believed a word Bram said. He’s a fisherman! You can’t fall for their tales, luv.”

“Fall for—” She caught the glimmer in his eyes and narrowed hers. “I saw lots of bubbles under the water and held up all seven of my keiligs to keep whatever it was at bay.”

His laugh burst out as he slipped out of his jacket and held it overher head. “I imagine the seals were quite curious about your behavior then.”

“Seals?”

“Indeed. Usually they stay on the far side of the island near the open sea, but when the tide comes in, they’ll swim around to portside, leaving bubble trails in their wake. Those are the only visiting sea creatures around Skree, I’m afraid.”

Fishermen!She shoved the keiligs back into her bag. “And I supposeBramis the name of Mr.Fisherman Santa in the sea monster shack?”

“‘Fisherman Santa’?” His laugh broke through again. “Yes, and he’s known all around for his attempts at terrifying newcomers. All in good fun.”

“Well, it certainly worked on me.”

He paused, his gaze roaming her face with such tenderness she really wished he’d just bend a little and kiss her.

Her bottom lip wobbled in response. “You came to find me.”

“Of course I came to find you.”

“In the rain.” The words shivered along with her body.

He paused in his turn toward the boat and lowered the jacket. With a gentle touch, he brushed his thumb across her cheek, dashing away a rebel tear and every ounce of hesitation she felt in finding happily ever after with him. His expression sobered. “If I’d known what Alec was doing, you wouldn’t even be in this predicament.”

The warm tingles from his touch chilled. “Alec?”

“We’ll speak of it once you’re warm and dry.” He took her hand and tugged her a few more feet toward the little boat.

The boat!

Over the deep, dark, turbulent water.

“I can’t.” She froze. “I... I can’t do boats, Matthias.”

He turned back to her, his hands settling on her shoulders. “We can’t stand here in the rain until the tide goes out either, luv.” Theendearment took on magical qualities, almost as if it carried a little courage along with it.

Or maybe that was the feeling of coming down from the high of a near-death experience.

She shuffled forward another step, failing to keep the tiniest whimper from escaping.

He sighed and turned back to her.

“Here’s what I want you to do.” His warm hands framed her cheeks. Was he going to kiss her? That would be a fantastic distraction from sea monsters and boats.

“I want you to close your eyes and trust me to get you to the other side.”

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