Invisible Chains [Sequel to I Do(n't)]

Chapter 12

Ida's POV-

My new bikini looked even more revealing then I originally thought as I stared at myself in the mirror. In one way it made me feel a little embarrassed, yet at the same time I also felt like I was...hot.

I twisted around and saw that my ass was nearly completely visible, then I let out a sigh.

Oh, well, it was better than Pepper's that was a little saggy on my body.

I ran a comb through my blonde waves before casting one last glance at myself and walking out of the washroom.

The hallways were almost pitch black, as they always were in the middle of the night. So I cautiously felt my way to the stairs and then down the steps. When I got outside, there was more light than there was inside. The moon was nearly full again and lit up the whole shoreline.

Quickly, I made my way down the rickety, uneven stairs, and as I had the previous two nights, I saw Clint standing in the sand waiting for me. This time, though, he, too was in a bathing suit-these black swim trunks.

"It is dangerous to swim in the water at night!" I called to him.

He looked over at me and smiled. "Not ankle deep, it's not"

Shaking my head at him, I walked over, my toes sifting through the soft sand.

"It is really not that cold out here tonight" I observed.

"No, it's not" he agreed. "It's a nice night for some target practice"

"Do you have targets?" I wondered.

"There are targets all around us" he gestured to the trees, then crouched down to his bow case. "Help yourself to a beer"

"Thanks"

While he unpacked, I opened up the cooler and picked one up. The can said Four Loko-14% alcohol volume.

"Don't you think that this is a bit strong?" I asked.

"Huh?" he glanced up. "Oh. No. Just don't drink it fast"

"I usually drink them fast" I popped open the can.

"Well, don't" he pulled out his recurve and arrows. "Pitch one over to me"

I picked up another one and tossed it to him, then took a couple straight sips of mine. The liquid burned down my throat-a nice contrast to the brisk air.

"Alright" he set the drink on the sand, then fixed an arrow into his bow. "Do you know how to aim?"

"Of course I know how to aim, I hunt with mine"

"The recurve is a little different" he told me, pulling back his arm until his elbow was locked. He closed one of his eyes, focusing his gaze. "If you line up your shot just right, it is foolproof"

He released the nock, sending the arrow piercing through the air into the same palm tree he had two nights ago.

"Wow" I took another sip.

"Your turn" he outstretched the bow to me.

I set down my drink and took it from him. Then he handed me an arrow. I fixed it into the shelf, then attempted to pull back on the nock. But again, my arm strength just was not having it.

"We need to get you into some weight lifting, or something" he snickered.

"You think?" I laughed.

"Here" he came up behind me, putting one of his hands over mine on the grip, and his other one over the one I was using to pull back the arrow. Making it seem like no strain whatsoever, he pulled back his arm, taking mine with it. When my elbow locked, he stopped.