Free Proximity by Amber Lea Easton Page A

cringed.
    "Let's go before we talk ourselves out of it." She scooted out of reach to find the rest of her gear.
    Maybe I should be thankful for the darkness. A woman like Savannah has been with far better looking men than me. Hot, exotic guys who probably knew some crazy fucking techniques that hadn't even entered my repertoire.
    He strapped on his tank before rolling his shoulders back. I need to watch more porn. That's the problem. I need to look at it like an education. I've always been a good student, a quick learner.
    "Why are you being so quiet?" She blurted out on an exasperated sigh. "Do you regret what we did?"
    He hesitated. This could be trick question.
    "I win then. You have to stay in Dallas."
    He heard her fins slapping and the screech of her wetsuit against the rock.
    "Why do you say that you win?"
    "You're bailing. You freaked out. You didn't want the whole sha-bang after all. I knew you were bluffing."
    Silence.
    He moved cautiously toward the water's edge, flicked on his headlamp and looked in her direction. "The only thing I'm freaking out about is that we could be trapped in this cave with more aftershocks on the way. I'm still in it to win it, sweet Savannah."
    She glanced at him before sliding into the water. "Never call me that again, honey baby."
    He groaned. "Deal. Let's get out of here, what do you say?"
    "I say that's an excellent idea."
    Tethered together, they swam a few feet before diving down to move through a submerged tunnel. He didn't know how their friends would have made it this far unless they'd either passed through the main opening prior to the cave in or slipped beneath it somehow after getting confused.
    A rushing of water, most likely from the main underground river, greeted them on the other side and pushed them toward what looked like a cliff. They were in an underwater chute, being thrust forward against their will, tethered together and holding each other's hands as they went wherever the flow pushed them.
    With a jolt, they were catapulted out into the air and down a waterfall. Their bodies and tanks slammed the rocks on the way down before submerging into a pool of blue. Far above them, a small hole allowed sunlight to shimmer through from the jungle. The walls were straight up and slick, lined with tree roots and vines. Bats danced in the shadows.
    "Are you okay?" he asked.
    "I lost my headlamp." She turned in the water looking for it.
    "We need to keep going." His left wrist hurt like hell and wouldn't move, but he decided not to say anything. "Take my headlamp or use your flashlight. I'm going to let you lead."
    "Why?" She twisted to look at him, exhaustion straining her face as the sunlight flickered down on them.
    "We're partners. I'm letting you lead. No deep explanation needed." He forced a grin, but ended up wincing at the pain spiking through his arm.
    Even though she gritted her teeth, she didn't call him out on his obvious lie. "I'll go slow and use my flashlight."
    He didn't trust himself to speak. The intensity of the pain burning up his entire left side led him to believe that he had more than a broken wrist to worry about.
    "Remember how you carried me in Belize after that snake bit me?" she asked while disconnecting her flashlight from her vest.
    He nodded, the act of treading water hurting more than actual swimming would at this point.
    "I'll tow you." She met his gaze. "You're bleeding, Bill. Your hand is limp in the water, your face looks like you're in agony, and there is blood pooling in the water around your left shoulder." She used her flashlight to prove her point. "I'll tow you, but if you have any problems diving, you need to use your good hand to tug on the rope. Promise you won't try to be a hero."
    "You know me too well, Savannah."
    She checked the cord that bound them before reaching her hand up and cupping the back of his head. With a grin, she kissed him. Hard. "I do. Never forget that fact. You can't hide anything from me."
    "Apparently I've been