Running from His Claim (Beauty and the Beast #2)

Chapter 15

I let out a yelp as he took us far above the cliffs. "Victor, whatever you're thinking -" I stammered out.

"Don't worry, I got you." He stopped in the air, still holding on tight to me, and murmured, "Ready?" My face was hidden on his shoulder, and I shook my head. He laughed and dared, "Who's the chicken now?"

I was instantly offended. "Hey, I'm no chicken! I'm just not suicidal!"

"I won't drop you, I promise."

I peeked over his arm at the water, saw the dizzying distance and hid again. "Dear god, if you're up there, I'm so sorry for all the things I've done in my life that made you decide to end me this way."

Victor's laughter shook through his entire frame, and it relaxed me a little bit. "Are you praying?"

"It's my life on the line here, not yours!" I retorted, then looked up at him. "That having been said, I'm good now. Let's do this!"

He chuckled again and said silkily, "You know the rules. Deep breath..."

I took a deep breath and nodded. He grinned, tipped us headfirst and shot down towards the water. I screamed with my mouth closed to hold my breath. I shut my eyes tightly and the sensation of falling from a great height, along with the anticipation of hitting the water, was so exciting my heart raced dizzyingly. He hit the water first and I felt it wrap around me an instant later. I was still clinging onto him as we sank. When he released me I looked up in alarm, clutching for him. He was laughing as he floated backwards away from me. I groaned in annoyance and swam up to the surface.

Treading water while waiting for him, I analysed the dive. It was by far the most terrifying thing I'd ever willingly done...and the most exciting. I was vibrating with joy evidenced by my huge grin. Connor would've been so jealous of me right now...

Victor appeared in front of me. He took in my grin and smiled back. "Like it?"

I nodded eagerly. "Can we do it again? Please?"

"Okay, no. Don't do that, you know I always fall for that look," he complained as I gave him my best puppy eyes. "Okay, okay, Jeez! Just, don't you need, like, a moment first?"

I frowned, thinking about it. "I feel fine. Let's do it again."

He laughed and pushed his wet hair back, then pinned those beautiful sapphires on me. "Crazy," he laughed softly to himself. "Okay, let's go."

I quickly swam to him and locked my arms and legs around him. He laughed at my eagerness and shot us up into the air again. When we got there, I took a deep breath and glanced over his shoulder again. Yep, the view still made my heart skip.

"Let's try something," Victor said.

I looked up at him incredulously. "Aren't we already doing that?"

He raised a brow, silently calling me chicken again.

I huffed and asked, "So what's this brilliant idea of yours?"

He let go and his hands went to my linked arms, carefully detaching them. My eyes widened in fear and my legs locked more firmly.

"What the hell -?"

"Trust me," he whispered, flashing me that smile that I swear was designed to fry my brain.

I let him place my arms on my lap, then he leaned back until he was lying down, still in the air. I lay on top of him, my hands trapped between us. I raised a brow as he rotated us so his head was facing the water. He laughed softly and pushed me up gently until I sat straddling him. His hands came protectively to my waist. I took a deep breath, adjusting to the position, and saw the beautiful water glimmering below him. It was a beautiful sight; Victor carefree and smirking, his blue eyes twinkling wickedly, with the blue green water as a backdrop.