Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I was completely soaked--my clothes clung uncomfortably to my skin; and my hair was plastered to my head. I scanned Ky's appearance, and he did the same to me, his beautiful eyes taking in every inch of my face.
In a moment of instinct, I reached up and fixed his mask over his head, using my fingers to settle a few strands of his hair. He reciprocated by placing his hand on my hip and rubbing just beneath my pants with his thumb. He still looked as amazing as ever, the most gorgeous man I’d ever laid my eyes on. I probably looked like a troll doll that went through a spin-cycle—a hot mess.
"I don't mind you being messy, Sunshine," he responded to the thought that had accidentally escaped my lips.
Of course, he wouldn’t. Feeling my face flush from both embarrassment and where he was pressing, I surveyed the cave around us.
There were small ledges fixed onto the walls, resembling rock climbing holds. They had to serve some purpose. There was no other way to climb out of this passageway that extended into complete darkness.
Lana stood a few feet away, sizing up Hayven with narrowed eyes. "Where do I know you from?"
Hayven blinked and wrung out her hair. "You don’t re--we went to school together."
"Right. And you got to go to college?" Lana asked, sounding confused now.
My heart ached at the reminder that we were meant to attend university too, even if it was just for our families' satisfaction. We should have been doing so many other things, but they decided to abandon us here instead. I wished I knew why. I wished for so many things at that moment, but most of all I wished we didn’t have to do any of this and for her and Mel to be safe.
Mel emerged with Brody and Charon following behind her, with Dion trailing behind them.
“This fucking place is wreaking havoc on my hair,” she complained, adjusting and wringing out the hoodie she had on, which was now like a small wet blanket.
"Where's...?"
Ciaran suddenly popped up next to Maverick. He slicked back his hair and flashed a charming grin at Lana like some kind of supermodel.
"Never mind," she rolled her eyes and turned away, but I caught the barely hidden smile on her face.
The rest of the group successfully made it through the obstacle. I checked on Carol to make sure she was alright; she nodded back at me, understanding my unspoken question. The older man was struggling to catch his breath but appeared to be fine otherwise.
The knot on his head was turning a brilliant shade of purple, though.
"You keep looking at him like that, I'll start getting jealous," Ky warned, still massaging my hip.
My lips slightly curled. “He’s like, sixty.”
“Your eyes still see him.”
I gazed up at him and responded, "You have no reason to ever feel jealous."
"Then stop staring at other people," he retorted, applying more pressure to my hip.
It was distracting. I didn't think he realized just how amazing it felt, or perhaps he did and that's why he hadn't stopped yet.
"We need to go up now, right?" I asked.
He suddenly turned me around while still holding onto my hip and wrapped an arm tightly around my chest, pulling me close. Maverick turned his head and raised an eyebrow, amusement on his face. He was always watching. I wondered if that was his thing but didn’t dare ask.
"Isn't going up the too obvious choice?" one of the new girls chimed in, her shirt almost see-through.
"The song said to go down," the other girl added.
"That's not what the song meant, April. If anything, it's a twisted warning," Carol interjected.
"You're quickly climbing the ranks to become one of my favorite people,” Ciaran teased.
"Just what I always wanted,” she replied dryly.
Mel chimed in, "We all aspire for that title."
"You're already in, Mel. No need to try so hard,” Maverick commented.
"I'm truly humbled," she deadpanned.
"You should be, it's quite an achievement," Charon joked, gradually making his way closer to Hayven.
"Enough of this," Roger grumbled as he swam to the side and reached for one of the formations jutting from the wall.
I knew before he touched it this was an incredibly bad idea. As soon as he made contact, there was a whirring noise and the formation slid in, becoming one with the wall.
"Oh great, here we go. You just had to touch something," Dion groaned.
I looked around as the other formations began moving in and out, and the song abruptly cut off, replaced by Kinks' upbeat voice.
"Swim with caution, for lurking below are teeth and jaws ready to show. Cross the water swiftly but don't delay or else you'll find your time has gone astray. For those who hesitate or miss their mark will soon join those swimming in the dark."
"Something is lurking below?" Dion asked, already moving to the side.