Taken By Surprise Read Online Free PDF Page B

cursed, wishing she could shape-shift but wet wings would not help her now. Panic rose in her throat—being an immortal, she wouldn’t die, but she didn’t relish the thought of drifting alone in the dark water until morning when her sisters awoke.
    How long would it take before they even questioned her disappearance? It wasn’t unusual for any of them to take off for days at a time before getting in touch.
    She tried to tread water, but the sore muscles in her leg made it nearly impossible. Another wave rocked her and Zori stopped trying to move and simply floated. She let the ocean rock her as she stared up at the moon. A strangled laugh escaped from her lips as the overwhelming sensation Greyson was near enveloped her. Nearly drowning apparently hadn’t cleared her head either.
    A loud splash somewhere towards the shore startled her. She hadn’t had time to think about anything else being in the water with her. Something brushed against her foot and Zori stifled a scream as she floundered upright in the water to see Greyson treading water inches away from her. She splashed ungracefully in front of him, too shocked to speak.
    “Would you like a little help?”
    Just hearing his voice brought on a sense of relief as her eyes ran over the hard lines of his handsome face.
    “I don’t need your help.” She winced as another wicked cramp prevented her from swimming naturally. Her head dipped beneath the water for a second and she surfaced coughing as she worked to stay afloat.
    “C’mon, Zori, lay back and float. Let me work out the cramp.”
    She complied, shivering as his warm hand wrapped around her calf muscle. She could feel his gaze on her body as he massaged the sore muscle with his fingers. Her mind was racing as fast as the blood in her veins as she looked up at him.
    “Better?”
    His bare chest brushed against her thigh as he rubbed her leg and a jolt of awareness made her heart pump faster.
    “Yes.” She could see his lips curve in a satisfied smile and remembered how they felt pressed all over her body.
    “Good…test the leg.”
    He released his hold on her and Zori shifted her position, gingerly moving her legs in the water. The muscle still ached, but it no longer made her want to scream. She sensed Greyson’s intense gaze on her face and found it hard to meet his eyes as she started to tread water again.
    “Can you swim to shore?”
    “Of course.” Zori glared at him in the dark as the water pulled at them. She hated him seeing her in a weakened state.
    Greyson’s mouth curved slightly as if he could read her thoughts.
    “Let’s go.”
    He didn’t wait for her response, cutting through the waves in a powerful breast stroke. With a soft curse, Zori started swimming after him and soon they were side by side. Every muscle in her body ached, but she refused to slow down as sheer exhaustion threatened to consume her. When she could finally touch the sandy bottom of the ocean floor, she sent up a prayer of thanks.
    Greyson stood up out of the water and turned to her. He held out his hand and she took it, stumbling onto the beach, breathless and spent. She collapsed on the sand, happy to be on solid ground as he sat beside her.
    A few minutes went by as Zori panted. Greyson seemed unaffected from his physical exertions and his casual posture annoyed her as she wrung water out of her long tresses. Her gaze ran over him as he lay back on his forearms and stared up at the stars.
    “Are you all right?” He turned his head in her direction.
    I’m freezing and I’ve never been so tired.
    “I’m fine.” It took all of her resolve to say the lie without her teeth chattering. She couldn’t control the shivers racking her body as she tried to catch her breath.
    “What the hell were you doing out there?”
    His deep voice had taken on a rough edge that instantly sent her on the defensive. “What are you even doing here? Have you been following me?”
    Greyson stared at her for a moment. “I’ll