Page 50 of Reset

“We give you something good to think about.” His smile was rueful. “I’m going to kiss it all better. Okay?”

Although she nodded, she wasn’t entirely sure she understood him because her fears were still too loud in her head.

Ryan’s hands shifted as Sarah clung to his shoulders. One cupped the back of her head; the other pressed her close to him at the small of her back. His mouth moved in to hers and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. Their eyes were open, staring into one another’s. Sarah barely felt it. All she did was remain frozen in his arms.

“You’re brave,” he said before kissing her again. “You’re smart.” Another gentle kiss. “You’re funny.” One more, and this time the sensation began to register. She felt her lips relax against his. “You’re sweet, and I’m not talking sugar here, although I taste plenty of that when I kiss you, I’m talking about the way you think of others.” Another kiss, this time the tip of his tongue caressed the seam of her mouth. “You’re sexy as hell.” His eyes grew darker as he gently sucked on her bottom lip. “You’re sensual but shy with it.” He rubbed his lips back and forth over hers. “You’re so damn beautiful, it hurts to look at you.” He nibbled at her lips. “But it’s that courage of yours that slays me. Every.” Kiss. “Single.” Kiss. “Time.” Kiss.

Sarah felt herself melting into him as her eyelids drifted closed.

“And, kissing you is like getting a hint of a scent that brings back a flash of a memory. One you can’t quite put your finger on.”

His lips lingered this time, teasing and tasting.

“But you know it was a good memory,” he whispered, “because you can still feel the emotion that came with it.”

“Ryan?” she breathed.

But her brain wasn’t functioning any longer; her body was in control, and it wanted more.

As though knowing exactly what she desired, Ryan angled his mouth over hers and invaded. As little moans of pleasure supplied the music for their tongues to dance, Sarah felt the world fade away. There was only Ryan. Only his touch. His taste. His scent. Only the dark, delicious sensations he made her feel as he led her through a kiss that swept away all reason.

They fed from each other until they were breathless and desperate for more. Slowly, Ryan pressed gentle kisses to her swollen lips as he led her up out of her daze.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered. “I promise.”

And in that moment, she could do nothing but believe him.

Feeling almost euphoric and a little light-headed, she let Ryan ease her back until she was floating on the surface of the water. With one hand under her to support her, he caressed her cheek with the other.

“Box breathing,” he said softly before counting her through the breaths.

She didn’t take her eyes from his. She felt like she was floating—in her mind, as well as in reality.

“You are amazing,” he told her, and even though it was hard to believe, she found herself clinging to the words.

“Three deep breaths and then hold, okay?”

She didn’t reply because she didn’t want to break the spell he’d cast over her.

“One.” He breathed with her, his hand moving from her face to her abdomen to check she was filling her lungs.

“Two.” Again, they breathed in unison. “You’re doing great,” he said with a smile that was blinding.

“Last one and then under. Close your eyes, focus on that kiss, count if you have to, and let me do the work.” He didn’t give her time to think. “Three,” he said.

When her lungs were full, he sank into the pool, taking Sarah with him.

Water rushed over her face.

Sarah grabbed hold of her mind with a steely grip. Forcing it to concentrate on the heat from Ryan’s arm as it wrapped under her shoulders and across her chest. He held her firmly. His strength and confidence in his touch.

In turn, Sarah placed her hands on his forearm and fought to remain relaxed.

She didn’t dare open her eyes, knowing that anything she saw would pull her straight out of the calm she felt and right into a panic attack.

A panic attack under water.

Her heart picked up speed. Her stomach lurched.