Claiming Her SEAL (ASSIGNMENT: Caribbean Nights Book 1) by Kat Cantrell Page B

what the hell was she supposed to do with that?
    “Come on,” he said. “We’ll use the ladder. It’ll give you a chance to acclimate.”
    Dex scaled the scant few steps at the rear of the boat, holding his gear and hers, then lowered himself neck deep into the turquoise water. “Your turn.”
    A deep breath later she somehow found the will to swing onto the small ladder and climb all the way to the bottom rung, where her finned feet kissed the water each time the boat bobbed.
    You can do it , she chanted . One foot off the rung. No big deal.
    She bent a knee experimentally and eased one fin into the water. Felt wet, just like when she’d walked out into it from the beach last night. No problem. So far.
    The reef below Dex’s feet thrived with life and motion, just as he’d described. It wasn’t a watery casket, lying in wait to choke off her air.
    “Yep, that’s the way,” Dex encouraged.
    Both feet off. She lowered herself down, still clinging to the top rung. Not bad. Waist deep and no panic attack. But then she tried to lower herself just a touch more and her hands started trembling. The tighter she gripped the rung, the less secure she felt.
    The bright Caribbean sun beat down on her bare shoulders, and sweat gathered under her fingers. I can’t . There came the panic. Her lungs constricted.
    But then Dex’s warm palm covered her back, then dipped lower to span her waist. “I’m here. Let go and take my hand.”
    Enthusiastic voices of the others floated across the water, and she realized Jace had already started the tour. His deep rumble was easy to pick up, though she couldn’t discern his words. And then there were no more sounds, likely because they’d all gone facedown to view the reef through their masks. They’d migrated to the other side of the boat where she couldn’t see them. So they could have all died.
    She didn’t have to do this. Rachel was off with the new object of her affection and wouldn’t even realize Emma hadn’t joined her. The only person who would know she’d freaked out was Dex, and he wouldn’t judge her.
    But she’d be disappointed in herself.
    She let go.
    Instantly the water closed over her head. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t think. Stars exploded behind her eyes, pinwheeling with bursts of light. Blindly, she reached out, flailing for purchase.
    Dex’s hand folded around hers, fingers gripping tight. A slight tug and her head broke free of the surface. Gasping, she dragged air into her lungs and blinked the water from her eyes.
    As she started to sink back under, she kicked and kicked again until she was treading water. Holy cow . She was in the ocean treading water after going completely under the surface. Dex’s grinning face snapped into focus.
    “That was awesome,” he said. “I didn’t think you were going to do it but you did. About gave me a heart attack, but look at you. You’re in the water. You’re amazing.”
    The pride in his voice hit her dead center in her still-heaving torso, spreading warmth as she internalized the significance of what had just happened.
    And Dex was still holding her hand, like he’d promised. Her heart fell out of rhythm and flipped upside down. When it started beating again, it felt like it had grown too big to fit in the hole it had previously occupied. It was nearly painful, and she rubbed at it with the heel of her hand.
    “Let’s get this mask on you,” Dex suggested and reached out to help, adjusting the snorkel and showing her how to fit the mouthpiece between her teeth.
    She sucked in air through the tube and then discovered she could actually put the mask just below the surface without sticking her whole head under. But if she wanted to, she could. It was nearly miraculous.
    Emma spent the rest of the afternoon following Dex as he swum around the reef, awed at both the amazing panorama of fish and aquatic life and the way her heart swelled anew each time she caught sight of his smiling