A Masterpiece Of Our Love (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 1) by Nikki Lynn Barrett Read Free Book Online Page B

rise and fall. But he still hadn't moved. "Hunter! Come on, snap out of it. We've got to get out of this water!" She was practically screaming. She could barely hear herself over the wind, thunder, and rain. "Come on. I'm not sure I can pull you to shore without any help." She tilted his head up. Blood dripped from a open wound on the side of his face by his ear. She had to try. She couldn't just sit here and wait for Hunter to come back out of it, not with the impending storm. They needed to be on land. The boat was right there, but no way could she get Hunter over the side.
    You have the heart and soul of a strong warrior.
    She remembered his words from earlier and used that as her mantra to do whatever it took to get them back to shore. "You saved me, Hunter. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I'm going to be that warrior and fight." She sucked in a deep breath, just as a wave slapped her face. She choked on the salty water and spit it out. Cringing, she stared at Hunter for a moment, trying to figure out how to move him and have him rest on her so she could swim safely. This wouldn't be easy. As another long, jagged bolt of lightning spliced through the sky, traveling to the earth, Becca made her choice. Adrenaline took over and she slid in front of Hunter, took his arms and draped them around her. No, this wasn't going to work! His arms slid down. "At least you put your life vest back on," she said softly, as if he could hear her.
    Wait. She could find a life preserve ring on the boat. She had spotted it earlier. Becca quickly moved away from Hunter as she lowered his body slowly back down on the rock. She had to hurry, before he fell back into the water. She found the ring right away and tugged on it as hard as she could. One swift yank and it came free, almost knocking her backwards underwater.
    "I'm coming back for you, Hunter!" Why did she keep talking out loud when he couldn't hear her? Or could he? Well, it didn't matter. It made her feel better. She made it back to Hunter and slid the ring over his head and down to his midsection. She wasn't sure it would stay, but this was better than nothing. Becca held on to the side of the ring and wrapped an arm around Hunter. She would have to use her legs to swim so that she could hold on to Hunter. "Here we go. Please wake up!" she begged softly as she kicked her legs. The waves were still rough, slamming into both of them with a vengeance. The storm scared her. She silently pleaded for no nearby lightning strikes.
    She doubted that they'd have any cell phone service in these conditions. Most of the area had spotty reception anyway. If Hunter's injuries were severe, she had no idea what she could do. Most likely, the first aid kit was on the boat. Did she dare try to get back to it?
    After what felt like an eternity, they finally made it to shore. Becca shivered as she stood on shaky legs and pulled Hunter up on the sand. She didn't get far. Her ankle throbbed and her knees were weak and achy. She crumbled to the ground beside him. That didn't matter. They'd made it far enough. They were safe. Well no, not safe completely, but much safer than they'd been in the water.
    The blanket wouldn't do any good, but she could at least grab it and clean off the blood. She looked down at Hunter, who was laying still. Was this the panic he'd felt that night when he'd pulled her out of the water? She barely recalled much of the accident.
    Had he taken in too much water? Becca remembered the CPR instructions. She had to be certified for teaching. She'd never once had to use it. There came a first time for everything. She bent over him and lowered her face to his, breathing air into his mouth. She pushed on his chest. One, two...
    A few minutes of doing this and Hunter coughed, sputtered, as water shot out of his mouth. Becca turned his head so he wouldn't choke. He was alive, but still hadn't completely come out of it.
    Thunder rumbled again. Becca tried to sprint over to the