In Too Deep

I step back from her and notice her face fall at my lack of attention “Come on. Let’s go.” I pull her hand toward the stairs. 

Chapter 38

Did I do something wrong? A moment ago, Colt was kissing me, and now he’s flipped like a light switch and is pulling me toward the door. He leads me down the stairs, still holding firmly onto my hand, like he’s determined to end our date.

Tears prick at my eyes irrationally. Why does he have this effect on me? I hate how weak I am. I cling to his hand for support.

The first time we kissed, he stopped abruptly too. Why doesn’t he want to kiss me? I know I should keep my mouth shut. I know this more than I know anything, yet I can’t.

I stop walking and free my hand, anger blazing in my eyes. “Why don’t you want to kiss me?”

He turns to face me, shock written all over this his flushed face. He didn’t expect me to call him on it.

“That’s what you think?” He laughs.

I’m glad I amuse him. I cross my arms over my chest.

“You are so far off, it should be illegal.”

Huh?

He steps closer until he’s flush against my body, his leg in between my knees, his hands on my waist, pressing me firmly against him Oh.

He breathes in my hair, his breath ragged against my ear. “I want to kiss you. In fact, I want to do much more than kiss you. Which is why I made myself stop while I was still in control.”

I look up at him completely bewildered. Whoa. “Who told you to stop?” My voice is quiet, but my eyes are wide as I look up at him, challenging his logic.

His surprised expression matches my own. Then his eyes grow dark and he shakes his head. “No.” A frustrated growl murmurs through his chest. “I’m taking you back. Now.”

He pulls my hand once again, leading me to his BMW and tucks me safely inside like a small child.

Annoyed and teeming with frustration, I ignore him the rest of the ride home.

* * *

In the morning I’m awoken way too early for my cell phone to be buzzing. After the fourth ring, I fumble for it and pick it up.

“Hello?”

“Taylor. This is McAllister. You’re needed in the lab for an assignment right away.”

“What time is it?” I rub the sleep from my eyes.

“Four-thirty. I expect you here in five minutes.”

I groan and hang up. I consider rolling over in bed, and ignoring his request, but I know I can’t do that.

Within a few minutes, I’ve dressed, brushed my teeth and thrown my hair back in a ponytail.

I climb the stairs to the fourth floor, pleased to see all the physical training no longer leaves me winded from doing so. I step inside the computer lab.

The bright lights glow overhead and McAllister has several computers pulled up to various screens charting the ship’s progress. I stand at the door for a moment, trying to get my bearings. I know it’s stupid, but I’d half hoped Colt would be here. I was more confused than ever after how our date had ended yesterday. I needed answers. I needed to see him, to see if he was going to be back to his playful, charming self or still brooding like at the end of our date.

McAllister impatiently motions for me to join him. I slide into the seat next to him.

“Today’s the day, Taylor.” He grins at me. I don’t trust the glint in his eyes. “I want you to set her off her current course by four degrees. He taps the screen indicating what he means.

I lean in closer. The ship will be closer to land if I do that, but not nearly enough to do any damage or send her ashore, I see with relief. Four little degrees. I could do that.

After all, I’d spent the last several weeks figuring out how to get inside the ship’s command center. And now that I had it cracked, I very much wanted to see if it would work. I stifle a yawn and lean back in my seat.

McAllister runs his hands together. “You get to work.” He stands. “And I’ll get you a Diet Coke. Colt told me it is your drink of choice.”

My gaze flashes to his. Colt talks to McAllister about me?

He’s out the door before I have the chance to ask anything else.

I go back to my assignment and begin working. My fingers tap furiously at the keys. I’m using multiple computers in the room, my heart thumping with a steady energy as I set everything into motion.

I sit back and wait.

I notice that somewhere in the mayhem, McAllister brought me a can of soda. It sits warm and unopened beside me. I look at the clock and notice that somehow two hours have passed. I send a quick email to McAllister letting him know that everything worked out perfectly.

I yawn again and rub at my eyes. Time for bed. Hopefully Bria won’t mind me missing Zumba…

When I wake up the sun is cascading through the dorm windows. I’ve slept way longer than I intended to. The room is hot and sticky and I kick off the heavy duvet.

I glance at the clock. I’ve missed both Bria and Colt’s classes, but if I hurry, I’ll be in time for lunch.

I take a quick shower, and dress, combing my hair into a simple bun so I won’t have to style it. Then I make my way to the cafeteria.

Right away I can tell that something’s different. The normal hum of conversation, the scooting of chairs, and occasional fits of laughter are missing. It’s dead silent.

I hesitate at the door, trying to figure out what’s going on. A group of students huddle in the corner facing the TV mounted on the wall. I make my way over to them. The news is on, showing a ship in the ocean, it is listing badly to one side. My blood goes cold.

I take a step forward and get closer to the TV. I have to hear what they’re saying. MJ and Logan and are amongst those crowding around the TV. I squeeze between the bodies, making my way to the front. I can hear them saying my name, asking where I’ve been, but my mouth is completely dry and I’ve forgotten how to speak. My head spins and I do my best to focus on the TV. The blood rushing in my ears is deafening, but I focus on the newscaster until her voice comes into focus.

“Breaking news…massive oil spill…oil tanker, Alliance has collided with a coral reef…”

I suck in a breath and my knees go weak.

“Officials for World Oil Corporation have no comment at this hour about how this disaster could have happened…”

Oh my God…

“Pending a full investigation…”

I turn and run. I hear my name being called, but I don’t stop. I push through the doors and stumble blindly down the empty hall.

My legs feel weak, but I can’t collapse here. I push myself to keep moving, trailing my hand along the wall for support.

This is no coincidence. I heard the news anchor – she said Alliance. The name of McAllister’s assignment for me. I push my legs faster, needing to get someplace where I can break down.

I’m only vaguely aware of footsteps behind me when I feel a hand clasp around mine.

Colt.

His strong hand encloses mine completely. His face is hard, serious. “Come on,” he commands, and pulls me down the hall.

Colt must have seen me leave the cafeteria and come after me. My heart fills and expands. Colt will help me fix this. He has to.

He leads me to the stairs and helps me climb up; stopping once we get to the second floor. He pulls me