Chapter 17

Claude's strong grip pulled Lia under. She wanted to break free, but that was only wishful thinking; it was not diving underwater that scared her, but rather the unfolding situation.

Startled, Lia opened her eyes. His obsidian hair and piercing sapphire eyes came into view along with an ingenuous smile she had never seen from him before.

Claude wove his fingers through her swaying blond hair as his hand caressed the back of her petite head. Frozen, Lia locked eyes with him. His lips moved, but she could not understand what he was saying.

He stopped smiling and instead gazed into her eyes with a subdued look on his face. Lia suddenly felt as if she were suffocating and burst through the surface, spewing bubbles.

"Phew!"

Claude emerged behind and laughed as Lia panted heavily, trying to catch her breath.

"We were only down there for thirty seconds."

"I think you mean… we were down there… for thirty whole seconds…" she said, gasping.

"Room for improvement, then."