Enthralled Read Online Free Page B

times she
shaded her eyes and scanned the more remote section of the beach, where several
divers came in and out of the water. Could the one in the orange bikini be
Clare? Was one of the other women Elise?
    Finally, even with the cool
breeze filtering through the cabana, Teel felt too warm. Standing up, she
lifted her arms to coil her long hair on top of her head and fixed it there
with two bone pins. She looked down at the almost transparent metallic green
lycra suit stretched over her body, noticing the prominent hip bone that
emphasized her recent loss of weight. Her firm, round breasts strained against
the material, the nipples clearly visible. No, Aunt Tessa would not think this
an appropriate garment—not for her niece and certainly not for a nun. Teel
smiled to herself as she thought of Aunt Tessa, then lifted the water goggles
and placed them over her eyes just before entering the water.
    The ocean felt
cold on her overheated skin, but refreshing nonetheless. She reveled in the
gentle waves. Wanting to avoid other swimmers, she headed diagonally away from
the cluster of people. At first she stroked easily, content to get the
exercise, but soon the colorful underwater world drew her attention, and she
dove repeatedly to get a closer look. She was searching the bottom for an
unusual crustacean formation she had just glimpsed when a dark shape angled
rapidly down toward her. A shark! Panic engulfed her as she twisted abruptly,
kicking wildly upward. As her head broke the surface, she gasped for breath.
    "Hey! What is it? Do you
have a cramp?" Chazz held her arm easily and pushed back wet tendrils of
hair that had fallen forward on her face.
    "I thought
you were a shark," Teel choked out, trying to control her breathing. She
pushed at his shoulders, but her hands were shaking, and she had no strength.
    Chazz smiled devilishly down at
her, his hair as sleek and black as licorice as he treaded water beside her.
"I've been called that by several people, but I'm really quite
harmless."
    "A likely story!"
Teel retorted, still breathing hard.
    He threw back his head and
laughed. "My ego will never be in danger of over-inflating from the
compliments you throw me, Sister Terese Ellen."
    Teel's skin tingled with a
sense of danger as she looked into his lion's eyes. She wanted to ask him why
he had emphasized the word "Sister," but some instinct kept her
quiet. "You don't have to worry about getting a big ego," she said.
"You have one already. Now would you please release me. I'm a good swimmer
and in no danger of drowning." "You may not be, but I am.."
"What did you say?"
    “Nothing." He released her
slowly. "How would you like to go snorkeling? Then you could really see
the underwater life."
    For a moment, in
her distraction, Teel forgot to tread water. She sank like a lead weight.
Immediately two strong arms brought her to the surface. But even when she was
treading water once again, his hands remained at her waist, exploring it
restlessly and moving upward. Teel pushed hard against Chazz, sending him
backward but splashing water into her own mouth at the same time. "I told
you I can swim," she gulped, coughing. Irritated, she slapped water at
him, hoping he too would get a mouthful.
    Chazz threw back his head, his
dark hair glistening in the sunlight. "Playful?" he asked,
"Good. I like to play games." He floated toward Teel, his teeth bared
in a menacing grin. Years of training came to Teel's aid. Her body knifed
through the water with a strong racing stroke. The surge of power surprised
her, but she knew she couldn't keep up the fast pace. If only she could make
the beach before she faltered.
    Victory seemed a
distinct possibility when she felt a sudden tug around her calf. Chazz had
caught her! She stroked even harder, trying to kick her leg free, but all to no
avail. She turned to face him, breathless from the unaccustomed exertion.
"You—said—we—were— going—snorkeling." She put one hand on his
shoulder to ward him