Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon Read Free Book Online

worried tone.
    “Honestly, I’m fine. Caitlin , tell him I’m fine.”
    “Thanks, Killian, but it looks like your knight-in-shining-armor skills won’t be needed,” Caitlin said, glancing at Adam.
    “Well, if I can be of any help, just give me a call.” He smirked and winked at her.
    Adam had made his way to his boat in the front and was running though some notes. He looked so vital, so full of life. The rest of us looked hideous in our wet suits and life vests, but he still looked gorgeous. How did he do that?
    He flicked his eyes around at us and started giving a lecture on water safety and dos and don’ts while operating leisure craft, his green eyes holding everyone’s attention. I idly rubbed my tingling neck and tried to listen to his instructions, but it was useless. I felt my body melting toward him, my breath catching. I dropped my eyes and tried to refocus. I quickly risked a look back up to him under my eyelashes, but his eyes caught mine at the same time and he immediately looked away, dropping his clipboard in the process. Caitlin elbowed me in the ribs.
    “Focus, Meg,” she whispered under her breath.
    We cast off into the water somewhat successfully; it was actually quite fun, as long as I didn’t look into the deep, dark liquid swirling around us. It was reassuring to see that Adam treated everyone else with the same level of reserve as he did me. He called us in two boats at a time to do some work on knots and lines. He was giving a complicated demonstration on the importance of tying up pulleys or something; I wasn’t really listening. I assumed Caitlin was—well, at least I hoped she was. But when I looked over at her, she was gazing at Killian, who was concentrating hard on his ropes and mimicking Adam. Panic hit me. Oh, crap! I tried frantically to catch up with what Adam was saying and doing, but it was too late.
    “Go out twenty yards and keep plenty of room from each other, and, working as a team, tie in your lines and secure your sails,” Adam shouted as he moved on to the next pair of boats.
    I glanced at Caitlin. She was still looking dreamily over toward Killian’s dinghy.
    I kicked her. “Cait, did you get any of that?”
    “Huh?” she said, with a vacant expression.
    I flushed with embarrassment. God, could we be any more pathetic?
    “Don’t worry, Meg. It looks pretty simple. I’m sure I can figure this out,” Caitlin said, as she started pulling at ropes and levers.
    I looked back at Adam, who was giving a helping hand to one of the other pairs. He was so gorgeous; his lightly tanned skin rippled over his toned body. His dazzling eyes were hidden for the moment behind a pair of dark sunglasses. His defined cheekbones were flushed red from the sea air. His full, curling lips were slightly parted; I wondered what they would feel like, taste like…
    Bam! I was interrupted by a hard thump on my head.
    The shock of the cold water was temporary. It was replaced by fear as I gasped for air. Whatever hit me had snapped all of the oxygen from my lungs before dunking me in the sea. I sucked in a vast breath and choked on the salt water that swirled its way into my body. I couldn’t figure out which way was up. I knew I was wearing a life jacket, but I couldn’t find the surface; there was no air. Then I got warmer, my breathing became easier, and the strangest sensation of calm came over me. I was underwater, but no longer felt the panic of water filling my lungs. My head was spinning and pounding with pain, but I was breathing. The sound was muffled, like I was cocooned.
    A firm arm supported my back.
    “Megan.” I heard my name being called in the distance. “Christ, Megan, answer me! Megan, come on; can you hear me?”
    I wanted to open my eyes, but even the slightest movement hurt my head.
    “Oh, Megan, Megan, I’m so sorry,” I heard Caitlin crying in the background.
    “Caitlin, please stay back,” the voice instructed. “Come on, Megan, open your eyes.” It was