Page 113 of Salto

I sucked in a breath, looking down at the water, then back up at him.

Those emerald eyes met mine. Steady and unwavering. And somehow, the stubborn resistance in me evaporated.

I trusted him. I knew if he could do it, I could too.

“Okay,” I finally whispered.

He nodded, then lowered himself into the tub, his face giving no indication that he felt the cold at all.

I descended into the water again, but I was unable to keep myself from wincing, and a small gasp escaped me.

“Don't fight it,” he said.

“Trying,” I said, gritting my teeth.

Thirty seconds in and it was already unbearable. I clenched my eyes shut, my hands shooting out to desperately grip the edge of the tub again.

“You’re okay. Only a few more minutes,” he said, his voice completely even.

“Rove, I ca⁠—”

“Look at me,” he said firmly.

I forced my eyes open and met his gaze from across the tub.

At some point, he'd reached up and run a wet hand through his hair. It was slicked back from his face now, droplets trailing down his neck. His forearms rested on the rim, the black ink on his right arm glistening with water. He looked completely calm, completely at ease.

“That’s it,” he said. “Stay with me.”

I sucked in a sharp breath.

And this time, it wasn't because of the cold.

“It hurts,” I said through gritted teeth, fighting the urge to climb out of the water.

“It just feels intense. But you’re okay.”

My knuckles were turning white. I was seconds away from bailing again when he leaned forward, his hands coming down on top of mine.

I felt him gently attempt to pry my hands from the edges of the tub.

“Rove—” I whispered.

He was trying to keep me from gripping too tightly.

One by one, his fingers slipped between mine.

I looked over at our entwined hands. The warmth of his touch eased some of the panic.

Then I made the mistake of looking down at the freezing water encasing me.

“Don’t look down, Red,” he said the moment I faltered. “Keep your eyes on me.”

I looked up, locking onto his gaze.

“How...” I sucked in another shaky breath. “How are you not shivering?”

He smiled, still completely at ease. “I've done this since I was a kid. I learned pretty quickly that fighting the cold only makes it worse.”